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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Who should the law rule in Rousseau's perfect city?

2. What does Rousseau say generates political distinction?

3. According to Rousseau, who is forced to follow what men are doing?

4. What is man capable of doing according to Rousseau?

5. What does Rousseau say of the process that makes men both wicked and sociable?

Short Essay Questions

1. What happens when we give up liberty?

2. What is the savage man's nature?

3. What happens as men acquire more?

4. What are the two conclusions about inequality that Rousseau traces at the end of Chapter 5?

5. What does Rousseau argue about humanity at the end of Chapter 3?

6. What does Rousseau claim about the rich or the wealthy?

7. What are the two types of inequality among humans presented by Rousseau in Chapter 4?

8. What does natural inequality produce, according to Rousseau?

9. What does Rousseau argue about contemporary historical events?

10. What does Rousseau seek to uncover according to Chapter 3?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Rousseau's philosophical work, the First and Second Discourses, discusses Rousseau's views about nature verses society. In an essay, discuss how the two conflict based on the text.

Essay Topic 2

In an essay, discuss the difference between the savage man and the modern man as introduced by Rousseau and make sure to examine the similarities and differences, as well as influences of each.

Essay Topic 3

In an essay, discuss Rousseau's conclusions about despotism as discussed in Chapter 5 of the First and Second Discourses. Students should define the term despotism and use the text and secondary sources to support their analysis of despotism.

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