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GOVT159
The Moral Basis of Politics
GOVT159 SP
| Section | Class Size | *Available | Times | POI | Prereq |
|---|
| 1 | 60 | 0 | Times: M.W.F.. 9:00AM-9:50AM; | No | No |
*The number of spaces listed as available is based on class seats open for
the Blue Add 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 Tue Aug 10 05:00:21 EDT 1999
)
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
F. Dostaoevsky, THE GRAND INQUISITOR ON THE
NATURE OF MAN
Jean Paul Sartre, NO EXIT and THREE OTHER PLAYS
Plato, THE TRIAL and DEATH OF SOCRATES
Plato;, GORGIAS
Nicolo Machiaveli, THE PRINCE
John Locke, A LETTER CONCERNING TOLERATION
Edmund Burke, THE PHILOSOPHY OF EDMUND BURKE
Karl Marx, COMMUNIST MANIFESTO
Max Weber, FROM MAX WEBER
R. Iyer, ed., THE ESSENTIAL WRITINGS OF MAHATMA GANDHI
EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS
Seven short 2-3 page papers,
two 6-8 page essays, in-class final exam.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS
The last section of
the class will address contemporary issues of moral and
political choice. Specific topics will be determined later,
but may include issues such as terrorism and revolutionary
violence, economic justice and equality, human rights,
affirmative action, and immigration.
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
- Moon, J
- Times: M.W.F.. 9:00AM- 9:50AM;
- 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-22-1999
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