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, Gais, Johnson
Reviews
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