Introduction to Political Philosophy What is politics and how should it be studied? Is there a best regime? A best way of life? How are these two things related, if at all?  Can we gain knowledge of such topics? We will examine these questions through a study of the some or all of the following texts: Plato, Apology of Socrates, Republic; Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics, Politics; Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War; St. Augustine, Confessions; St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Summa Contra Gentiles; Machiavelli, The Prince; Hobbes, Leviathan; Locke, Second Treatise on Government; Rousseau, Discourse on the Origin and Foundations of Inequality Among Men; Marx, The Communist Manifesto, The German Ideology,  Capital; and Weber, “Science as a Vocation.”

American Constitutional Law: The Federal System This course examines the development of American constitutionalism through study of Supreme Court decisions. Every major topic but the bill of rights (see PSCI 0306) is covered. Using the Sullivan and Gunther Constitutional Law casebook, we begin with judicial review and then study the development of legal doctrines surrounding the commerce clause, the due process and equal protection clauses of the fourteenth amendment, and the separation of powers. Recent cases focus on affirmative action and federal protection of civil rights. Interpretive books and essays are considered, as time permits. A mock court exercise is anticipated.

American Constitutional Law: The First Amendment This course focuses on the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the first amendment freedoms of speech, press, and religion.  After starting with the philosophic foundations of these first amendment freedoms (Mill, Locke), students will read the major Supreme Court decisions concerning these rights.  Class assignments in the form of oral arguments and briefs and/or options will enable students to take the part of lawyers and judges.

The American Political Regime This is a course in American political and constitutional thought. The theme, taken from de Tocqueville's Democracy in America, is the problem of freedom. The first half covers the American founding up through the Civil War and the "refounding." This includes de Tocqueville, Madison's Notes on the Debates in the Federal Convention, the Federalist-Anti-Federalist ratification debate, Supreme Court decisions (Marbury, McCulloch), writings of Jefferson, Calhoun, and Lincoln. The second half considers basic problems in American politics, such as race, gender, foreign policy, and education. Readings include a novel, de Tocqueville, and Supreme Court decisions (Brown, Frontiero, Roe, Casey, Grutter, Lawrence).

Modern Political Philosophy In this course. we will study: Machiavelli (Prince, Discourses); Bacon  (Advancement of Learning); Hobbes (Leviathan); Locke (Second Treatise);  Spinoza (Theological-Political Treatise); Montesquieu (Spirit of the Laws);  Rousseau (Social Contract); Burke (Reflections); Kant (Foundations of the Metaphysics of Morals, Perpetual Peace); Hegel (Introduction to Philosophy of History); Marx (Communist Manifesto, German Ideology, Capital); Nietzsche  (Beyond Good and Evil); Heidegger (Question Concerning Technology).   We will examine modernity's rejection of ancient thought, its later replacement of nature by history as the standard for right, and its subsequent rejection of any standard of right. Other topics include religion, freedom ofspeech, and the separation of powers. (PSCI 0101 or PSCI 0107 or PSCI 0317, or PSCI 0333, or waiver) 4.

American Autobiography: The Promise of America The promise of America, to paraphrase Tocqueville, may be said to involve securing equality in freedom and overcoming slavery and its legacy.  Jay Parini has called autobiography “the essential American genre,” because “the individual is not only valued but also preeminent and representative.”  Writers of this genre illuminate different aspects of the promise of America, depending on, among other things, when they lived, their background, their race and their gender.  To learn what we can about America from this genre, we will read: Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography; Frederick Douglass’ multiple autobiographies; The Education of Henry Adams; The Autobiography of Malcolm X; Pauli Murray’s, Song in a Weary Throat: Memoir of an American Pilgrimage; and Barack Obama’s Dreams From My Father. Students will write short papers on four of these writers.

Basic Problems in Political Philosophy In this course we will focus on the writings of Plato, Aristotle, and Kant to examine different formulations of theory and practice.  We will read Plato’s Meno, Euthyphro, Apology, Crito, Phaedo, and Sophist; from Aristotle’s Ethics, Physics and Metaphysics; Kant’s, Critique of Pure Reason, Foundations of the Metaphysics or Morals, and Perpetual Peace; concluding with parts of Rawls’ A Theory of Justice.  We will be examining the following questions: What can we know and how do we know it? How should we live and how is that related to what we can know? A previous course in political philosophy or philosophy is recommended. Students will write two short papers and a final essay on topics to be assigned.  A previous course in political philosophy or philosophy is recommended.

Murray Dry

Reviews and ratings for Murray Dry at Middlebury College.Murray Dry teaches Intro to Political Philosophy, American Constitutional Law, American Political Regime and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Murray Dry good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Despite what many may say, taking this class with Dry was really interesting. As long as you ACTUALLY do the readings and def read the spark notes to understand, you will do fine. My only warning would be that he cold calls and in discussions he expects everyone to speak. 

Good class. Lots of reading, and you really need to do it, but the grading is fair, and I learned a lot. If you don't like cold calls then you won't like this class. I took this class on zoom, so it might be different now.

Dry is certainly a tough pill to swallow, but once you get into the rhythm of the class and get on top of the readings, then lectures and class discussions are more rewarding, and the exams are not as intimidating. I would recommend this class as an intellectual challenge, but be prepared to read and participate in class.