The Nature of Politics is an introductory course to political theory, is the foundational course for political science, and those interested in politics. This class will focus on texts (or speeches that have been transcribed) and how different theorists understand political life. There are different approaches that are addressed in this course 1) how political life is or has been empirical (descriptive), 2) interpretations (analysis and evaluations utilizing texts), 3) how values influence political life and how politics should be (normative), and 4) making arguments (taking positions with evidence to advance a point of view). This class will address both historical and conceptual aspects and emphasize governance, gender, race, and democratic ideals.