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Academic Year 2005/2006

Modern Political Theory
GOVT 338 SP

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

Thomas Hobbes, LEVIATHAN
John Locke, SECOND TREATISE ON GOVERNMENT, Letter Concerning Toleration
David Hume, TREATISE ON HUMAN NATURE; moral and political essays
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, SOCIAL CONTRACT, "Discourse on Inequality", Essay on Origin of Languages
Imanuel Kant, GROUNDING FOR THE METAPHYSICS OF MORALS, "Perpetual Peace," "Theory and Practice"
J.S. Mill, ON LIBERTY
C.W.F. Hegel, THE PHILOSOPHY OF RIGHT
Karl Marx, "Communist Manifesto," "Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844," "On the Jewish Question"

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Three papers 6-8 pages, final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

"Students who wish to be eligible to register for the course during Drop/Add must add themselves to the enrollment request system during on-line registration. Enrollment request preference rankings will be one factor I will consider in making Drop/Add period registration decisions."

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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