COMPLITTHT 2108
Early Political Thought: Text & Traditions
A selected survey of the political and moral thought of Europe from the rise of Athenian democracy to the Renaissance, with emphasis on analysis and discussion of writers such as Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, St. Augustine, Castiglione, and Machiavelli. The course aims to introduce students to basic texts in the intellectual history of Western Europe, understood both as products of a particular time and place and as self-contained arguments that strive to instruct and persuade. The texts are simultaneously used to chart the careers of such fundamental notions as liberty, virtue, and justice.
Instructors
Amy Gais, Christine Johnson, Eric Brown, Frank Lovett, George Pepe, John Clancy
Reviews
Take this class; don't be afraid to share your thoughts on the readings.
2/24/2025
Really nice and lighthearted teacher that guides you through the really long readings. She offers rewrites for every assignment, but she's not a very hard grader anyways. You can get good grades on the individual discussions really easily and she keeps conversations fun.
12/7/2024
Show up to class; do the readings. Really good class overall.
12/6/2024
I found the class very interesting, and Professor Johnson was clearly passionate about the material. However, the reading is very time-consuming because it is not only extensive but also difficult to comprehend. The direction of the discussions can also be a little unclear. I would recommend this course, but be ready to read a lot.
12/5/2024
Smart and caring, but not great at leading discussion. Often gets lost in thoughts and is not great at articulating them to students. Students lead discussion, every class ends with a sense of "what did I just learn." Offers full rewrite for every assignment, but that is because she is unnecessarily hard grader. Nice person, below-average teacher
11/13/2024
Intelligent and knowledgeable, but as others have said, students lead class discussion, not her. Friendly and passionate, but there's a sense of “what was I supposed to learn” at the end of every class. Allows rewrites/flexible deadlines, but it's because she grades so harshly. Readings are boring. Would be better advisor than professor.
11/5/2024
Show up to class. You have to participate frequently its discussion based. Gais is awesome. No screens.
5/6/2024
Class is exceptionally easy, but the only grade with actual stakes is participation, and there is no actual indication of your participation until you get the final grade back. Stay on her good side or else you'll be in trouble with no discernible warning.
12/17/2023
All around amazing. All her classes are super low stress and enjoyable if you love political theory. Would highly recommend.
9/28/2023
Very kind and understanding professor. Her class is a treat compared to my other more lecture-based classes. Reading and homeworks are all very manageable.
8/8/2023
Dr. Gais teaches the most chill Poli Sci class at WashU. No tests/quizzes, just weekly annotations and brief written reflections. The class itself also entails lots of intellectual discussions about exigent issues in politics today. Would highly recommend taking her class if you are a Political Science major.
5/17/2023
This is one of the easiest courses I have taken thus far. There are readings, discussions, and weekly reflections. No exams.
5/14/2023
Professor Gais is definitely my favorite professor. The class is discussion-based and super engaging. She is not a harsh grader, and she doesn't give a lot of pressure on the students. Will recommend it to everyone.
1/19/2023
Dr. Gais is an amazing professor. You'll be excited to show up to class. Would 100% recommend taking a class with her at some point. You won't regret it
10/15/2022
Her class is discussion-heavy, but the students have to lead the discussion. In class, she doesn't really teach. In individual meetings, she's intelligent and helpful. She knows what she's doing, she just doesn't teach in class most of the time. Really smart and friendly in individual discussions, but wouldn't take her for a class again.
12/21/2021
The most inspiring professor in my first semester at WashU. His knowledge and experience are beyond the scope of this freshman course.
12/6/2016
Combines brilliant insight with an easy-going and anecdotal teaching style. He often forces students to ask good questions. He doesn't quiz on the specifics of what you read, (and you read a lot) but focuses on the central ideas and themes, which I like. Also, his voice is impossible to fall asleep to.
9/24/2015
Early Political Thought is one of the best classes I have taken at Wash U. Professor Pepe has been teaching for decades and he knows everything under the sun. He is passionate about what he teaches and loves talking to students outside of class. He even gave me several books. He's a little old school but I loved that. Would take again if I could!!!
4/3/2015