Northern
Department of Political Science
Political Science 251: Mr. Reddinger
Introduction to Political Philosophy Office Hours: TBA
Fall 2005 wt_reddinger@yahoo.com
Course Objectives:
Together we
will read a few of the classic books in the history of political
philosophy. These books will first help
us to think about some of the hardest questions of politics. For example, what is the relation of
philosophy and politics? What is
freedom? Must we obey all laws? Does the end justify the means in
politics? Is there a nature common to
all humans, and how does that relate to politics? What is the best type of government? Is a good governmental structure sufficient
to make a good society? The structure of
this course will help us understand how different thinkers across history
answered many of these questions differently, and how some of these questions
relate to the
Class Grading and
Expectations:
20% - Class Participation, Behavior, and Attendance: Good class participation cannot (and should not) mean talking frequently in class discussion. However, students that never participate should not expect to have a good participation grade. Being able to answer the instructor’s questions in class will give you a good participation grade. To be able to do this, students must diligently keep up with readings. Asking your own questions about assigned readings equally show good participation and evidence of having read. Evidence of not paying attention while in class discussion will also harm your grade.
Cell phones must be turned off at the beginning of class. Having a cell phone go off during class will significantly reduce your participation grade. Students will receive two unexcused absences for the semester. Grades will be reduced by 5% of your total grade for the course for each additional absence. If you fail to have a written excuse of absence on the day on which a pop quiz was given, you fail that quiz.
10% - Quizzes: 6 quizzes will be given during the semester to ensure that students are keeping up with readings These quizzes will test recall both of previous class discussions and basic points in the day’s assigned reading, though a few quiz questions will require some significant thought. Only the highest 5 grades will count.
20% - Exam 1: Prior to exam day, the instructor will distribute a list of practice essay questions so that students can study for this essay exam. On exam day, the instructor will choose just a few of these questions that the student must answer. Therefore, students are encouraged to prepare by developing answers to all practice questions.
20% - Short Essay: 900-1200 word essay due on November 15. The instructor will distribute suggested paper topics, though students are welcome to write on any topic of interest to them.
20% - Exam 2: This final exam will use the same format as Exam 1.
Required Texts:
-Plato & Aristophanes, 4 Texts on Socrates. Trans. Thomas G. West and Grace S. West.
-Aristotle, Politics. Trans. Benjamin Jowett.
-Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince. Trans. Leo Paul S. de Alvarez. Waveland Press 1989.
-John Locke, Second Treatise of Government. Ed. Richard Cox. Harlan Davidson 1982.
Course Outline: The instructor reserves the right to reasonably alter this outline or any part of the syllabus at any time.
I. Introduction to
Course
Aug. 23: Introduction to course. What is political philosophy?
II. Classical Political
Philosophy
Aug. 25: Plato’s Apology, 17a-35d
Aug. 30: Plato’s Apology, 35e-42a, QUIZ 1
Sept. 1: Plato’s Crito
Sept. 6: Aristotle’s Politics, Book 1.1-7
Sept. 8: Politics, Book 2.1-5, 8
Sept. 13: Politics, Book 3.1-13, QUIZ 2
Sept. 15: Politics, Book 4.1-2, 7-13
Sept: 20: Politics, Book 5.1, 11-12, Book 7.1-3
Sept. 22: Politics, rest of Book 7, QUIZ 3
Sept. 27: Politics, Book 8
Sept. 29: Lecture and Discussion on Augustine and Aquinas (no readings)
EXAM 1: October 4
III. Modern Political
Philosophy
Oct. 6: The Prince, Epistle Dedicatory, Chapters I-IV
Oct. 11: read The Prince, Chapters V-IX
Oct. 13: read The Prince, Chapters X-XV
Oct. 18: read The Prince, Chapters XVI-XX, QUIZ
4
Oct. 20: read The Prince, Chapters XXI-XXVI
Oct. 25: Lecture and Discussion on Martin Luther and Jean Calvin (no readings)
Oct. 27: Declaration of Independence & U.S. Constitution (easily found online)
Nov 1: Locke’s 2nd Treatise of Government, Chapter I-II
Nov. 3: 2nd Treatise of Government,
Chapters III-V, QUIZ 5
Nov. 8: 2nd Treatise of Government, Chapters VI-VIII
Nov. 10: 2nd Treatise of Government, Chapters IX-XIII
Nov. 15: 2nd Treatise of Government,
Chapters XIV-XV, SHORT ESSAY DUE
Nov. 17: 2nd Treatise of Government,
Chapters XVI-XVIII, QUIZ 6
Nov. 22: 2nd Treatise of Government, Chapter XIX
Nov. 29: selections from Montesquieu’s The Spirit of the Laws (to be handed out
by the instructor).
Dec. 1: Review Discussion
FINAL EXAM: Date and time TBA
Students with
Disabilities:
NIU abides by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which mandates reasonable accommodations for qualified students with disabilities. If you have a disability and may require some type of instructional and/or examination accommodation, please contact me early in the semester so that I can help you obtain needed assistance. If you have not already done so, you will need to register with the Center for Access-Ability Resources (CAAR), the designated office on campus to provide services for students with disabilities. The CAAR office is located on the 4th floor of the University Health Services building (753-1303). I look forward to working with you to enhance your academic success in this course.
The
Department of Political Science:
Students are strongly
encouraged to consult the Department of Political Science web site on a regular
basis. This up-to-date, central source of information will assist students in
contacting faculty and staff, reviewing course requirements and syllabi,
exploring graduate study, researching career options, tracking department
events, and accessing important details related to undergraduate programs and
activities. To reach this site, go to http://polsci.niu.edu