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Academic Year 2005/2006

Modern Political Theory
GOVT 338 FA

This course surveys major thinkers in political philosophy in Europe from the 17th to 19th centuries. Attention is given to the historical context of thinkers, their influence on one another, and the contemporary relevance of their thought. Topics addressed will include the relation between philosophy, language, and politics; the meaning and foundations of rights; the notion of property; the idea of social contract; the ideas of state sovereignty and individual autonomy; the role of reason in politics; the role of nature and natural law in politics; the concepts of liberty, equality, and justice; the idea of representation; the meaning of liberalism and the relationship between liberalism and democracy; the role of toleration, and the relation between identity, recognition, and politics.

MAJOR READINGS

Niccolò Machiavelli, THE PRINCE
Thomas Hobbes, LEVIATHAN
John Locke, SECOND TREATISE ON GOVERNMENT
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, ON THE SOCIAL CONTRACT; "Discourse on Inequality"
Imanuel Kant, GROUNDING FOR THE METAPHYSICS OF MORALS, "Perpetual Peace;" "Theory and Practice"
C.W.F. Hegel, THE PHILOSOPHY OF RIGHT
Karl Marx, "Communist Manifesto;" "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844" "On the Jewish Question"
Friedrich Nietzsche, BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three 6-8 page papers, final exam

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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