GOVT159

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GOVT159

The Moral Basis of Politics GOVT159 FA

Section	Class Size	*Available	Times
1	20	0	Times: M.W.F.. 10:00AM-10:50AM;
2	50	0	Times: .T.T... 2:40PM-4:00PM;

*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for the current phase of registration. Some seats may be taken in previous phases while others may be held out for subsequent phases of registration. (Last Updated on Wed Mar 4 05:01:03 EST 1998 )

Photo Caption and Credits

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, interest 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 from political philosophers, utopian works, novels, contemporary social criticism and modern social science.

MAJOR READINGS

Sophocles, ANTIGONE
Plato, APOLOGY, CRITO
Thoreau, ESSAY ON CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE
Locke, SECOND TREATISE OF GOVERNMENT
Rousseau, DISCOURSE ON INEQUALITY; SOCIAL CONTRACT
Weber, POLITICS AS A VOCATION
Machiavelli, THE PRINCE
Walzer, JUST AND UNJUST WARS
Dostoevsky, THE GRAND INQUISITOR
Bondurant, THE CONQUEST OF VIOLENCE

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Approximately seven very short (2-3 page) essays. One 5-7 page paper. Final exam.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Course will meet in lecture twice a week and in a discussion section on Fridays. Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00 Gen Ed Area & Dept: SBS GOVT

Prerequisites: None

Section 01: Schwartz, N; Times: M.W.F.. 10:00AM-10:50AM;; Grading Mode: A/F; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 0, Jr: 0, So: 0, Fr: 1; No Major Preference Given
Section 02: McEnnerney, D; Times: .T.T... 2:40PM- 4:00PM;; Grading Mode: Mixed; Registration Preference (1 high to 6 low, 0=Excluded) Sr: 0, Jr: 0, So: 2, Fr: 1; No Major Preference Given

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998

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