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political science
210 (section C3) The History of (Western) Political Thought MWF 1-2 pm – 2004-05 Don Carmichael Course Outline
This course is an introduction to political philosophy, conducted as a
critical examination of some of the major classical writings in the history
of western political thought.
Although some effort will be made to relate these writings to their
historical contexts, they will be used primarily as important and still
relevant reflections on central questions of political life, and students
will be encouraged to use these writings to develop their own understandings
of these questions. This section of the course will be discussion-oriented. As part of this focus on discussion,
the course will include instruction in the skills of effective expression and
argument. Students are invited to propose special projects and to suggest ways
in which the course might be improved over the year. The Work
Students in this course are
not expected to have any background in philosophy or theoretical work. On the contrary, the course is an
introduction to the subject; and a major priority of the course is to teach
students how to do political theory -- and enjoy it. The material covered in this
course must be studied in a particular way: it calls for careful, critical
reading and reflection, rather than research. Students will not be asked to read a lot, even for essays;
but they will be expected: (1)
to read the assigned material carefully, (2)
to do so before the class for which it is assigned, and (3)
to come to class prepared to discuss it. As the course schedule
indicates, readings are assigned each week (and sometimes for specific classes).
These readings are not heavy and an effort has been made to distribute them
evenly throughout the year. But
students will be expected to read the assigned material carefully, before the
class for which it is assigned, and to come to class prepared to discuss
it. Pop quizzes will be used to
test and reward preparation NB: to
save students the long line-ups in SUB bookstore, it will not be necessary
purchase course materials for the first two weeks of the course. These materials will be available on
the web page. In an
effort to reduce students’ costs, most of the course readings have been
edited into a course pack, using copyright-free public domain sources. The course pack for 2004-0 is
significantly different from the one used last year. These will be available in SUB
Bookstore: . Readings in The History of Western
Political Thought (Course pack) Plato,
Republic (Penguin, Lee translation). There will be two
examinations: a mid‑term at Christmas and a final. The pop quizzes and class participation will be worth 10%. However, students will have
a choice of being evaluated primarily through essays or instead through
exams. Essay writing is an
essential part of the learning in this course, but it seems that some
students prefer exams (or are more successful on them) while others prefer
essays. This year, as an
experiment, students will be
invited to decide for themselves whether to be graded primarily by
essays or by exams. The
essay-based format will require four essays, worth twice as much as
the exams. The exam-based
format will require three essays, with the same weight (45%) as the
exams. exam-format quiz/oral 10% mid term 15% final exam 30% essays (3) 45% (3 x 15%) essay-format quiz/oral 10% mid term 10% final exam 20% essays 60% (4 x 15%) You don’t have to
do anything to indicate which format you want. Your grade will be calculated in both formats, and you’ll
get whichever grade is better.
If you’ve done three essays then this will obviously mean the exam
format. If you’ve done four
essays, your grade will be calculated with the four essays in the essay
format, and also with your three best essays in the exam format, and you’ll
get whichever grade is better. Essay Requirements
Essay-writing (like other forms of
expression) is a skill which can be developed and improved. Students will be encouraged to work
at their essay writing skills and individual help will be available for
students who want it. Essays in this course should be
brief (1500-2000 words), positional, and critical, arguing a definite thesis
in relation to some aspect of the readings. These essays call for analysis and critical reflection. They are not research papers. They will not require any reading or
research beyond the material assigned for the course. The best way to do well
on such essays is by careful reading of the course material as indicated
above. All students must do one essay on
the introductory themes (mid October), a second essay on either Plato
(November) or Aristotle (early January), and a third essay on either Hobbes
(late February) or Rousseau (mid-March). As noted above, students will have the option of writing a
fourth essay: this may be done during the year (on any theorist on whom they
haven’t already written) or on Marx (late March). Due dates and specific topics will be announced
early in each term Late essay policy. Essays will be due in class on the date stated and this
deadline will be strict for the first essay. For all other essays there will be a brief grace period
for late papers. Essays
submitted on time will be marked and returned with comments as quickly as
possible. Essays submitted in
the grace period will be returned later, with fewer comments. Essays submitted after the grace
period will be penalized. |
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Topics & Readings
(First term) INTRODUCTION (1)
: J.S. MILL: On Liberty, Representative Government, and Utilitarianism Sept. 8-10 Introduction Wed: introduction to the course Fri: J.S. Mill, On Liberty, ch 1 + Biographical Note (Readings, 345-54) Sept. 13‑17 J.S.
Mill, On Liberty: freedom of thought and expression Mon: On Liberty, ch 2 (Readings, 354-63) Wed: test case --censorship &
child pornography: R. v Sharpe
(Readings, 445-53) Fri: On Liberty, ch 3
(Readings, 363-68) Sept. 20‑24 J.S.
Mill, freedom and democracy Mon: On Liberty, chs 4-5 (Readings,
369-79) Wed: Utilitarianism, chs 2 & 5 (Readings, 387-400) Fri: test case -- euthanasia: Rodriguez v BC (Readings, 437- 44) Sept 27-Oct 1 transition
to Crito Mon: democracy vs liberty: Representative Government, ch 3
(Readings, 380-86) Wed: Crito + Biographical Note (Reads,
1-2, 21-32): is Socrates obligated to stay? Fri: Apology (Readings, 3-20): is Socrates guilty? INTRODUCTION (2)
: The Problem of Political Obligation -- Plato’s Crito and Sophocles’ Antigone Oct. 4-8 Plato,
Apology and Crito Mon: read the Crito again: does
Socrates’ argument apply to everyone? Wed: does Socrates submission (in the
Crito) contradict his defiance in the Apology?. Fri: Sophocles, Antigone (Readings, 410-36): is Antigone
guilty? Oct 11-15 Contrast
- Sophocles’ Antigone Mon: university closed: Thanksgiving
holiday Wed: read Antigone again: does Socrates’ argument apply to
Antigone? Fri: what should Creon do? PLATO: Republic Oct.
18-22 Republic,
Introduction Mon: Cephalus, Polemarchus (Readings, 33-40) + Penguin text:
“Translator’’s Introduction” (xi-lvi)
– ( * essay
introductions due) Wed: Thrasymachus (Readings, 40-50) Fri: restatement (Penguin text, pp 40 -
60) . – ( * essay # 1 due) Oct.
25-29 Republic:
Foundations of The State Mon: social needs, education (Penguin,
pp 66-85) Wed: social classes (Penguin, pp. 96-100.
112-29) Fri: cave analogy: (Penguin: pp. 240-48) – nb
pages Nov 1-5 Republic,
Justice Mon: the psyche (Penguin:
pp.130-49) Wed: virtue in the individual
(Penguin: pp. 149-56) Fri: women
as guardians, the family (Penguin: pp. 157 - 81) Nov.
8-12 Philosophy
& Power Mon: philosophy and
society: (Penguin: pp 189-92, 208-19) Wed: sun and line analogies: (Penguin:
pp. 226-40) Fri: no
class: fall term break Nov. 15-19 Politics,
Critical Issues Mon: democracy, tyranny: (Penguin:
pp. 275-78, 290-314) Wed: justice benefits
(Penguin: pp. 314-19, 330-334) Fri: comparison:
cave analogy (Penguin, 240-48) with Mill, Representative Government ch
3 (Readings,380-86) ARISTOTLE: Politics Nov.
22-26 The
"Nature" of Political Association Mon:
Biographical Note + Politics, Book 1 (Readings, 1, 63-68) Wed: Book 2 (Readings, 68-75) - Plato, property & families ( * Plato essays due) Fri: readings tba Nov. 29-Dec 3 Constitutions Mon: Book 3 (Readings, 75-83) - citizenship & constitutions Wed: Book 4 (Readings, 83-90) -
types of constitution Fri: slavery (Readings, 99-102) Dec.
6-8 Review:
Political Life and Human Happiness Mon: Books 7-8 (Readings, 90-99) - Aristotle's ideal Wed Nicomachean Ethics (Readings, 53-61) – happiness General Requirements Essays should be 1500‑2000
words: double‑spaced with wide (1.5") margins to allow room for
comments. They must footnote
sources and contain a bibliography (even if just one work). Essays in this course are
expected to be critical and positional.
That is, they must adopt and argue a critical position on the topic, using
the course material. This
position must be stated in the first paragraph as: “In this essay I will
argue that ...” These are not research
papers. They should be produced
(1) through critical reflection on the topic and the course material, and (2)
through careful writing and re-writing of your position and arguments. Essays will not require any reading
or research beyond the material assigned for the course. Further comments and suggestions are
outlined below. In the first term, all
students must do two essays: one on the introductory topics (due mid-October)
and a second essay on either Plato (due late November) or Aristotle (due
early January). For the first
(introductory) essay, students will be asked to submit the essay introduction
several days before the essay itself is due. This introduction may be changed when the essay is
submitted. The topics listed below are
suggestive and others may be added later to reflect particular issues that
arise in the course. Students are also encouraged to propose their own topics
on issues of special interest.
These should be discussed with the instructor well before the essay
deadline. The Nature of The Essay Essays should be
"position papers". The
main concern is argument, rather than interpretation or research: you are
expected to take a definite position on the topic, and to argue this
position effectively. It is
essential to show a good understanding of the theorist and text in question;
but this understanding should be developed through a critical argument. Papers will be assessed mainly by the
quality of their arguments: especially, by whether the argument is
effective/persuasive, well‑organized, and clearly presented, with some
appreciation for what might be said against it. The fact that these are not
"research papers" does not mean that you should not read widely
(eg, commentaries and current philosophical discussions of the issues, as
listed in the bibliography). On
the contrary, you can sharpen your thinking and develop clearer critical
perspectives by reading widely.
In particular, whenever your essay deals with an important concept
(eg, justice, or democracy, or freedom) it is a good idea to read more about
this concept. But remember that
your essay will be judged by the quality of your arguments, not by your
sources. Thus your main priority
should be to read (and re‑read) critically the text, to think carefully about
the issues it raises, and to identify your own views on these issues as
clearly as possible. Some Tips The key to your paper is
your "thesis" (the position you argue). Your main concern should be to work out exactly ‑‑ and
clearly ‑‑ what this is. The
best way to do this is by thinking critically and carefully about the text. It also
helps to read commentaries and to discuss the issues with friends ‑‑ this may
clarify what you want to argue, and what may be said on the other side. Your first paragraph should
state your thesis clearly ("In this essay I will argue that ...")
and indicate how you will argue it (eg: "I will argue this in three
steps"). The rest of the
paper should be organized around arguing this thesis as effectively as
possible. Obviously, you can't say
much in 1500‑2000 words, so you must choose the most important
arguments. It may be necessary
to define the topic more narrowly, ie, focussing your paper on just one of
the issues raised by the topic. You should also consider
possible objections to your argument, and how you might rebut them (eg, if
you are criticizing Plato, how might he respond : and what would you say in
rebuttal?). Here again, you
should be brief and selective. Write a rough draft of the
paper in advance ‑‑ then leave it for a few days, and revise it
critically. Examine your thesis
(has it changed? have you stated
it properly in the introduction?) and revise your arguments. Finally, remember that you
are trying to persuade: the aim of the paper is not to show off what you know
(to a teacher) but rather to make a persuasive case (eg to a judge and jury). ESSAY TOPICS Introductory topics (Mill,
Crito) (Introduction: Oct 18th; Essay: Oct 22nd ) 1. With reference
to either the Sharpe or the Rodriguez case, how would Mill decide the case and
would he be right? 2. Socrates argues that he has an obligation to obey the law even though it requires his death. Is Socrates right? Do his arguments show that everyone -- including Antigone -- has this obligation? DUE: Mon. Oct 18th,
in class (Introduction): Fri., Oct 22nd , in class. (Essay) NB. The
deadlines for this first essay are strict and we request students to respect
them. For all other essays there
will be a brief grace period for late papers. Plato (Wed., Nov 24th ) 1. Plato’s society promotes the psychological
harmony and social well-being of all citizens, where our society promotes
instead the widest possible freedom of individuals to live on their own
terms. Which society is better?
Your answer should pay some attention to the actual operation of
freedom of choice in our society: eg, that for a great many people it is just
the freedom to watch tv wrestling in a 105+ channel universe, to carry
firearms, and to choose the cigarettes and fast foods of their own choice. 2. As between Mill and Plato, whose
account provides a better understanding of a good society? DUE: in class,
Wed., Nov 24th (grace
period 5 days to Monday Nov. 29th ).* * “grace period”:
essays submitted on time will be marked and returned with comments as quickly
as possible. Essays submitted in
the grace period will be returned later, without comments. Essays submitted after the grace
period will be penalized. Aristotle (Mon, Jan 12th) 1. Aristotle believes that Plato's
political theory is mistaken in rejecting property and the family, and that
this error reflects a deeper mistake on Plato's part: namely, that he does
not appreciate the natural basis of political association. Is Aristotle right? 2. Even though
Aristotle was clearly wrong about the actual rational capacities of women
(and slaves), wasn’t he right to insist on a fairly high degree of rational
understanding as a condition for citizenship? 3. Would
Aristotle’s view that “the city exists by nature and as prior to the
individual” provide a better basis than Mill’s for telling Susan Rodriguez
that she did not have the right to end her life? DUE: in class,
Mon, Jan 12th (grace
period 5 days to Fri, Jan 14th)* TOPICS & READINGS:
Second Term Roman - Medieval Period:
Cicero, Aquinas and Machiavelli Jan 10-14 Cicero,
Aquinas and Machiavelli – (* Aristotle essays due Friday) Mon: Cicero, On The Laws, Aquinas, Summa Theologica
, (Readings, 103-113) Wed: Introduction to Hobbes: Leviathan, ch 13 (Readings, 153-56)
Fri: Machiavelli, The Prince (Readings, 115-31) Rights &
Authority: Hobbes and Locke Jan 17-21 Hobbes,
Leviathan Part One Mon: foundations: Leviathan, ch 13 + Introduction, chs 1-6
(Readings,153-56, 133-47) Wed: man & society: Leviathan, chs 8-12 (Readings, 147-53) Fri: Leviathan, chs 11- 13 (Readings, 150-56) Jan 24-28 The
Argument for Authority: Leviathan, Part Two Mon: natural right & morality: Leviathan,
chs. 14‑16 (Readings, 156-64) Wed: authority: Leviathan, chs.
17-19 (Readings,
164-70) Fri: assessment of the argument for authority Jan 31-Feb 4 Authority,
Liberty & Law Mon: liberty & law : Leviathan,
chs 20-21 (Readings, 171-77) Wed: law: Leviathan, chs 26-28 (Readings, 177-81) Fri: law & statecraft: Leviathan, chs 29-31 (Readings, 181-86) Feb 7-11 Locke,
The Second Treatise Mon: human nature: Second Treatise,
chs 1-4* (Readings,
187-92) (*
note that ch 5 on property is deferred to Friday) Wed: natural rights & authority: Second
Treatise, chs 7-9, 11,
19 (Readings, 197-210) Fri: property: Second
Treatise, ch 5 (Readings, 192-97) Rousseau Feb 14-18 Discourse
on The Origin of Inequality – (* Hobbes/Locke essays due
Friday) Mon: Biographical Note, Discourse, Part 1 (Readings,
211-25) Wed: Discourse, Part 2 (Readings, 225-38) Fri: critical evaluation
(no readings). Feb 21-25 Reading
Week Feb 28- Mar 4 The
Social Contract: political issues Mon: Book 1 (Readings, 239-47) Wed: Book 2 (Readings, 247-56) Fri: can people be “forced to be free”? Mar 7-11 Rousseau:
questions of interpretation. Mon: Books 3-4 (Readings, 257-67) Wed: conceptions of freedom and democracy Fri: critical evaluation
(Is Rousseau more like Mill or more like Plato?) Marx Mar 14-18 Hegel
and “the young Marx” Mon: Hegel, “The Master-Servant
Dialectic” (Readings, 267-72) NB- difficulty alert Wed:
Marx - Biog Note, Graveside Speech, Critique of Hegel,
(Readings, 273-78) + Econ & Philosophical
Manuscripts (1): Alienated Labour –
(Reads, 287-94) Fri:
Economic &
Philosophical Manuscripts, continued
(Readings, 294-306) Mar 21-25 Marxist
analysis
(* Rousseau essays due Mon) Mon: Jewish Question (Readings, 279-86) Wed: dialectical materialism -- Theses on Feuerbach, German Ideology,
Preface to Critique of Political Economy, (Readings, 305-14, 325-26) Fri: university closed Mar28-Apr1 Class Struggle Mon: university closed Wed: Capital, v 1 (Readings, 327-30) Fri: Communist Manifesto
(Readings, 315-24) Apr 4-8 Marx
and Politics Mon: the transition to socialism -- Critique
of Gotha Programme (Readings,
327-30) Wed: the state -- The Civil War in
France (Readings, 341-44) Fri: evaluation: Marx vs Rousseau. Review Period:
Contemporary Political Theory Apr 11-15 Review
Period, using Contemporary Theorists – (* optional essay # 4 due Monday) Mon: Liberalism and Justice: John Rawls Wed: Ancient political theory as a basis for
world citizenship: Martha Nussbaum Fri: final seminar – topic tba Final Exam: Thurs Apr 28 Wed., April 21st (2005) at 2 pm in the classroom. |
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