Introduction to Machiavelli

Spring 2010
G53.3100.002
Thursday, 2-4
Politics Dept
19 West 4th St
Room 217
Professor Stephen Holmes
506 Vanderbilt Hall
Phone: 212 998-6357
email: stephen.holmes@nyu.edu
The seminar will explore the political theory of Machiavelli as elaborated in his two main
works, with special emphasis on the reasons why an unprincipled power-seeker would
agree to constraints upon his own freedom of action.

Required Readings
Niccol Machiavelli, Discourses on Livy, translated by Harvey C. Mansfield and Nathan
Tarcov, University Chicago Press
Niccol Machiavelli, The Prince, 2nd Edition, translated by Harvey C. Mansfield,
University of Chicago Press
Leo Strauss, Thoughts on Machiavelli, University of Chicago Press
Niccol Machiavelli, Mandragola, Broadway Play Pub
Titus Livy, The Early History of Rome, Penguin Classics
Titus Livy, Rome and Italy, Penguin Classics

Jan 14, Introduction

Jan 21, The Prince, Chapters 1-14.
Jan 28, The Prince, Chapters 15-26.
Feb 4, The Discourses, Book I, Chapters 1-30.
Feb 11, The Discourses, Book I, Chapters 31-60.
Feb 18, Livy, The Early History of Rome
Feb 25, The Discourses, Book II, Chapters 1-17.

Mar 4, The Discourses, Book II, Chapters 18-33.

Mar 11, Livy, Rome and Italy
Mar 18, spring break no class
Mar 25, The Discourses, Book III, Chapters 1-25.
Apr 1, The Discourses, Book III, Chapters 26-49.
Apr 8, Leo Strauss, Thoughts on Machiavelli
Apr 15, Leo Strauss, Thoughts on Machiavelli
Apr 22, Mandragola
Apr 29, final discussion
The seminar requirement will be a 25-page research paper on a topic to be agreed upon
with the instructor. Students seeking the additional writing credit will be required to
submit a somewhat longer paper in consultation with the instructors.