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Academic Year 2005/2006

The Moral Basis of Politics
GOVT 159 FA

An introduction to upper-division courses in political theory, the course considers the basic moral issues that hedge government and politics: Under what, if any, circumstances ought one to obey the laws and orders of those in power? Is there ever a duty to resist political authority? By what values and principles can we evaluate political arrangements? What are the meanings of terms like freedom, justice, equality, law, community, interests and rights? How is our vision of the good society to be related to our strategies of political action? What is the role of organization, leadership, violence, etc., in bringing about social change? Readings will include political philosophy, plays, contemporary social criticism, and modern social science.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT    Grading Mode: Student Option   

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Major Readings

Plato, CRITO and APOLOGY
Sophocles, ANTIGONE
Thoreau, "Civil Disobedience"
Martin Luther King, Jr., "Letter from Birmingham City Jail"
Locke, A LETTER CONCERNING TOLERATION
Machiavelli, THE PRINCE
Weber, " Politics as a Vocation"

Examinations and Assignments

Two short papers, two 6-8 page papers, final exam.

Instructor(s): Verdeja,Ernesto    

Times: ..T.R.. 09:00AM-10:20AM;     Location: JUDD116;

Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 35)

SR. major: X   Jr. major: X

SR. non-major: X   Jr. non-major: 5   SO: 15   FR: 15

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal:    Ethical Reasoning, Writing

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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