Dr. Christopher Malone Director, Pforzheimer Honors College NYC Campus Associate Professor, Department of Political Science 212-346-1146 cmalone@pace.edu |
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PACE
UNIVERSITY
POL 243
This course serves as an introduction to modern political theory and one of its most basic tenets, liberalism. Political theory concerns the broadest and most basic question we can ask about political life. The word "political" derives from the Greek politike, which denotes the affairs of the city (or polis). On the other hand, the word "theory" derives from the ancient Greek theoria, which means "viewing," "speculation," "contemplation." While not a unified body of thought, liberalism can be broadly defined as a set of ideas that places the individual at the center of politic life (as opposed, for instance, the state or the community). Throughout this semester we will view, speculate on, and contemplate the nature of liberalism in its many different versions. Then we will move on to consider modern and contemporary critiques of liberalism. We will do this by asking theoretical questions such as: What is justice? What is human nature? What is power? Who should rule? What constitutes a just society? What may we hope for out of a political order? We will seek answers to these questions through an analysis of some of the great texts in the history of modern Western political thought. Beginning with the early modern period and concluding with contemporary texts, we will trace the origins and development of liberalism by posing answers to the questions alluded to above. Our goal is to not only understand the writings of these men and women, but to analyze and critically evaluate these writings as well. In other words, we want to come to our own independent conclusions. By the end of the semester, it is my ultimate hope that students will have an appreciation of what it means to think POLITICALLY and CONCEPTUALLLY, and will have learned how to use the ideas and concepts that form the basis of all political life. Course Requirements. This course will be writing intensive. Students will be asked to write 3 papers over the course of the semester. Class sessions will more or less be arranged socratically, that is, our understanding of the texts will be advanced through conversations engaged in by me and the student. Therefore, dutiful attendance, careful preparation, and a willingness to participate are mandatory. Students will also take a final examination that will consist of essay questions. Grading. These papers will count for roughly 60% of your grade. In addition to the papers, students will complete a final examination. The final examination will count for approximately 30% of your grade. Attendance and class participation will account for roughly ten percent of the final grade. No student will receive a passing grade for this course that does not complete all assignments. I encourage you to work with one another and with me to further your understanding, but you must acknowledge all assistance you receive. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and will be treated as such. Texts. The following texts have been ordered and can be found at the Pace University Bookstore.
Michael
Morgan, ed. Classics of Moral and Political Theory, 2nd edition
(Indianapolis: Hacket Publishing, 1996).
Below is
a list of lecture and topics for each class meeting, and the
required reading for each section of the course. Students should
complete the readings before coming to class. Introduction: What is Political Theory? What is Liberalism? (January 23) No readings assigned Part One: Early Modern Thought and the Social Contract (January 25-March 8)
·
Hobbes, Leviathan, Morgan pp.581-735.
[Spring Break March 12-March 18] Part Two: Nineteenth Century Critics of Liberalism (March 20-March 29)
· Marx,
On Alienated Labor; The Communist Manifesto, Morgan pp.1142-1150
and pp.1168-1192.
Part Three: Contemporary Critiques of the Social Contract Tradition (April 3-April 26)
·
Charles Mills, The Racial Contract, all.
Final
Exam: May 10th |
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