Honors 1100: The Good Society
Italy, Summer 2016
Instructor: Rafael Major
Email: [email protected]
Study Abroad Course Objectives: Andiamo a Roma! What would it be like to read some of the
most important books ever written while walking in the footsteps of the authors themselves? Ever
wanted to live history instead of just reading it? There are few better places to discuss the issues of a
Good Society than in the city and country that claimed to be the center of the world for over 400
years.
Before we can have a meaningful investigation of a “good society,” we need to understand what we
mean by it. What is the definition of a good society? Everyone assumes they know what a good
society would look like, but when they are asked, they are likely unable to give an adequate
definition. Do we have rights as individuals? Where do they come from? At what point should we
sacrifice rights to society (if at all)?
We will examine contemporary issues, but will also look at works history, political philosophy,
and literature to gain a deeper understanding of perennial issues. It turns out that human beings have
been trying to understand the “good society” from the beginning of time. Do the hopes and dreams
of ancient Romans resemble our own? What kind of obstacles existed in antiquity that prevented a
good society from being formed? Have we overcome these obstacles?
Did the spread of Christianity make good societies easier or more difficult to
achieve? Perhaps modern secular political life is more practical? Is there something we can learn
from earlier cultures that resembles our own?
Catalog Description: Human beings form social groups to meet their common needs, such as
order and infrastructure. For thousands of years, thoughtful people have asked questions about the
nature of these human societies. We will explore questions of ongoing interest and importance,
including how good societies deal with poverty, illness, education, environmental issues and criminal
behavior. Human rights, biodiversity, and war are also considered. The course takes an
interdisciplinary approach to these topics, and seeks insights across areas of human knowledge.
Required Textbooks
Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince. Trans. Harvey Mansfield (University of Chicago Press: 1998). 9780226500447
William Shakespeare, (Signet Classic Editions: 2002). 978-0451528438
Handouts (TBD)
Grading
10% - Participation: includes class participation that demonstrates
competency with reading assignments, and active participation in
course activities and field trips during our stay in Italy.
60% - Weekly travel journal and in-class writing assignments over assigned
readings and class discussion.
30% - Final writing project addressing the issues of a "good society" in the
context of course readings and the study abroad experience.
Week 1
Introduction to UNT Study Abroad
Travel Protocols
Introduction to Italy and EU (Handouts)
Week 2
Ancient Good Society
Plutarch, Life of Romulus, Life of Coriolanus (Handouts)
Augustine, City of God (Handouts)
Week 3
Good Society in Transition
Machiavelli, The Prince
Shakespeare, Coriolanus
Week 4
Contemporary Good Society?
Immigration, Religion, Politics and Economics of the EU (Handouts)
Week 5
Final Writing Project Due