PSCI 345
The Meaning of Life and Politics in Ancient Chinese Thought Fall 2023
Division II
Cross-listed ASIA 345

Class Details

How can we live a good life? What standards should we use to judge how political power is constituted and used? This class will involve students in close reading of, and exegetical writing about, core texts of ancient Chinese philosophy in English translation. The purpose is to gain an understanding of a number of different perspectives on life and politics, especially Confucianism, Legalism and Daoism. While the primary focus will be on the meaning of the texts in the context of their own times, contemporary applications of core concepts will also be considered. The class will begin with background readings, since no prior work in Chinese philosophy or history is assumed. Then the class will read significant portions of the following canonical works: Yijing, Analects, Mencius, Daodejing, Zhuangzi, and Han Feizi.
The Class: Format: seminar
Limit: 20
Expected: 15
Class#: 1715
Grading: yes pass/fail option, yes fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: two 5-page papers and one 15-page paper
Prerequisites: none
Enrollment Preferences: preference to seniors but all are welcome.
Distributions: Division II
Notes: This course is cross-listed and the prefixes carry the following divisional credit:
PSCI 345 Division II ASIA 345 Division II
Attributes: GBST East Asian Studies
LEAD Facets or Domains of Leadership
PSCI Comparative Politics Courses
PSCI Political Theory Courses

Class Grid

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