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political
science 410/514 Topics
In Contemporary Political Philosophy
Fall session (Sept-Dec), 2004-05, Tuesdays, 4-7 pm Don Carmichael Course Outline
This will be a seminar on
some of the principal recent works in contemporary “normative” political
theory/philosophy. This approach, exemplified by Rawls’ A Theory of Justice,
addresses value questions of political life in terms that typically combine
analysis of the value-question with careful attention to issues of
justification and philosophical clarity. A great deal of this work
is concerned with issues of the liberal democratic state (eg, freedom,
equality, justice) -- but the field also includes many radical and
revolutionary theorists who reject the liberal democratic state. The field is politically wide-open.
It is characterized by a commitment to clarity in explanation and
justification, not by political beliefs. This course will attempt,
somewhat ambitiously, to provide an overview of the field (introducing
students to the leading theorists and issues) while also, at the same time,
engaging in some depth with two major thinkers: John Rawls (the most
important liberal theorist since Mill) and Charles Taylor (a Canadian, and
one of the most creative political theorists today). The overview topics will include:
social justice, self-ownership, rights, multiculturalism and world
citizenship. The Work
The purpose of this seminar
is not to “instruct” students, but rather to provide a format in which they
can read most easily -- and in discussion with others -- some core works of
the field. Clearly, only some of
the core works can be covered.
It is therefore essential that the participants in the seminar control
its content and pace. So far as
I am concerned, it is entirely up to the students in the seminar to decide
what we cover, how much and at what level. The topics and readings outlined below are offered only as
suggestions; I expect participants to revise them, and I also expect the
seminar participants to adjust the pace and level of the work as the seminar
proceeds. But with one
qualification. However much (or
little) we try to cover, it is essential that the material be read carefully
before each seminar. I will
therefore ask all participants (including any auditors) to prepare brief
written digests of each of the readings each week before the seminar. Participants may be asked to read
their digests in the seminar (this will be a major part of the discussion),
and grades will be based in part on the adequate completion of the digests. Requirements
All participants (including
auditors) will be expected to prepare digests of the readings for each
session and to contribute in the seminar discussions. Each participant will also be asked
to open the discussion on one of the readings (or topics) of their own choice
with a brief statement. Those
taking the course for credit will be asked in addition to do three short
analytical papers, two during the term and one at the end of the term. It may be possible to discuss some of
these papers in the seminar. Texts
John Rawls, Justice as Fairness: A Restatement Pol
S 410/514 course reader (course
pack) Essays:
(3 @ equal weight)
80% opening
statement
10% contributions to the seminar** 10% ‑‑‑‑‑ 100% * The reading digests will be
graded only as satisfactory/ unsatisfactory. But they are a necessity and marks will be deducted
from the final grade (up to two stanine equivalents) for missing digests.
Digests are required each week, with two weeks off on dates of one’s own
choosing. **
Seminar contributions will be evaluated by the quality of oral
contributions, including questions.
One can contribute effectively to the quality of a seminar without
speaking much, or even at all.
Students who are uncomfortable speaking in public are invited to
discuss alternative forms of seminar contribution with me. Topics & Readings (provisional) Sept 14 – Organizational Meeting Sept. 21 – Introduction and
Background: Problems of Liberty, Democracy and Justice Mill,
Utilitarianism, ch 5 Mill, “The Harm Principle”, selections from
On Liberty Mill,
selections from Representative Government, ch 3. Jones,
“Political Equality and Majority Rule” Feinberg,
“The Offence Principle” Berlin,
"Two Concepts of Liberty" 8 illustration:
Decisions of the Supreme Court in Rodriguez v British Columbia (euthanasia) reference: The Canadian Charter of Rights and
Freedoms Sept 28 – Rawls – the first version (A Theory of Justice) Kymlicka,
“Liberal Equality” (from Contemporary Political Philosophy, 1st
ed, 50-76). Rawls,
selections from A Theory of Justice (sections 1-4, 11, 26, 50, 79) Pettit,
“The Contribution of Analytic Philosophy” Oct 5 – the communitarian
critique (Sandel, Walzer) and Rawls’ response:
Sandel,
“The Procedural Republic and the Unencumbered Self” Rawls,
“Justice as Fairness: Political not Metaphysical” Hampton,
"Should Political Philosophy Be Done Without Metaphysics?" illustration:
Decisions of the Supreme Court in R. v Sharpe (possession of child
pornography) Recommended: Taylor, “Atomism” (assigned for Oct 26) PART 2: Split Sessions on Rawls’ Restatement and Rights Oct 12 – Restatement
(pp 1-61) + Rights (1) :
Analysis (Hohfeld) Rawls,
Justice as Fairness: A Restatement, pp 1-61 (sections 1-17 in
chs 1-2) Jones, “Forms of Right” Thomson, “A Defence of Abortion” Oct 19 -- Restatement (pp 61-111)
+ Rights (2) : Justification
issues Rawls,
Justice as Fairness: A Restatement, pp 61-111 (sections 18-31) Sumner,
“Conceptual Alternatives” “Abortion
and the Right to Life” or “Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide” Oct. 26 – Restatement (pp. 111-157) + Rights (3) : Self-ownership &
Atomism - Nozick v Taylor Rawls,
Justice as Fairness: A Restatement, pp 111-157 (sections 32-47) Nozick, “Distributive Justice” Taylor, “Atomism” Hart,
“Are There any Natural Rights?” Nov. 2 -- Restatement (pp 157-202) +
Rights (4) :Human Rights Rawls,
Justice as Fairness: A Restatement, pp. 157-202 (sections
48-60) Jones, “Justifying Human Rights” Pocklington,
“Against Inflating Human Rights” For reference: Universal
Declaration of Human Rights Essay : Avro
Nelson PART 3: Split
Sessions on Charles Taylor and Current Debates Nov 9 – Neutrality
(Dworkin) / Taylor (1) Dworkin,
“Foundations of Liberal Equality” 21 Mulhall
and Swift, Liberals and
Communitarians, ch 9 Taylor,
Sources of the Self , ch 1 Essay
: Lee Chantal Nov 16 – Perfectionism (Raz) / Taylor (2) Mulhall
and Swift, Liberals and
Communitarians, ch 10 Taylor,
Sources of the Self , ch 2 Essay : Chad Ford Nov 23 – Nussbaum
(The Capabilities Approach; Stoic-world citizenship) / Taylor (3) Nussbaum,
“Human Capabilities, Female Human Beings” Nussbaum,
“Patriotism and Cosmopolitanism” Taylor,
Sources of the Self , ch 4 Essay
: Aaryn Phillips Nov 30 – Citizenship / Anti-Foundationalism
(Rorty) Rorty, “Private irony and liberal hope” Kymlicka,
“Citizenship Theory” Cohen,
Deliberation and Democratic Legitimacy” Barber, “Strong Democracy” Essay : Mustafa Hirji Dec 7 – Multiculturalism / Taylor (4) Taylor,
“The Politics of Recognition” Parekh,
“Contemporary Liberal Responses to Diversity” Kymlicka,
“Freedom and Culture” Barry,
“Theories of Group Rights” Essay : open |
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