POLSCI 456 Political Thought of Lincoln

3 Credit(s)

This course will explore the intellectual journey of Abraham Lincoln and place him in the ranks of serious philosophers on the nature of man, God, and government. We will examine Lincoln’s assertion that his entire political philosophy could be traced to the Declaration of Independence and its doctrine of natural law, consider his desire to preserve the Union in light of his conception of the immorality of slavery, and explore his constitutional understanding. Our reading will include a close examination of Lincoln’s speeches and writings, as well as secondary sources.

Enrollment Requirements:
Prerequisite: A minimum of 60 credits