Northern Illinois University
Department of
Political Science
Fall 2008
POLS 251:
Introduction to Political Philosophy Instructor: Halima Khan
Section 2: TTH 9:30-10:45
a.m. DU 246 E-mail
: hkhan@niu.edu
Office
Hours: 10:45 am – 12:15 p.m.
Office : DU 476
Phone
: (815) 753-1818
Course
Objectives:
The purpose of this course is to
examine the history and evolution of political philosophy from its Greek roots
to the modern day. To this end, we will be reading a selection of
classic texts ranging from Plato, Machiavelli, Locke, to Marx, and Hayek. These readings will help us in answering some
enduring questions of politics. For
example, what is political philosophy? What is the proper relationship between a
government and its citizens? How much control ought the government to
have over individual lives? Is there a
common nature to all humans, and how does that relate to politics? Is force, rather than justice, all that
matters to politics? Must we obey all
laws? Are rulers sometimes justified in acting cruelly? How do we define the “good life” and how does
our definition impact our political views?
What is the relationship between the philosopher and the city? What is the highest good for humans? For
governments? What is the best regime? Are there any limits on our ability to create
the best regime? What role does nature play in political life? What effect does
philosophy have on political life? What
does it mean to live a virtuous life? What are the benefits and dangers of
capitalism? Of socialism? What might the middle ground be between extreme
capitalism and extreme socialism? With
these and other questions informing our discussion, this course will help
students apply critical thinking skills to go beyond the “what is” and ask the
more important “why?”
The principal goal of this class is
to encourage students to replace political opinion with political
knowledge. The structure of this course
will facilitate us in seeing and understanding how different thinkers in the
history of the discipline of political philosophy answered questions dealing
with freedom, equality, justice, laws, and authority. By the end of the semester, students should
be able to identify and explain the positions of the philosophers covered in
class and note similarities and differences between these thinkers’ ideas.
Required Texts:
Plato,
4Texts on Socrates, Revised
Ed. Trans. Thomas G. West and Grace S. West
(Cornell University Press, 1998)
Machiavelli, The Prince, Trans. Leo
Paul S. de Alvarez. (Waveland Press,
1989)
John
Locke, Second Treatise of Government, Ed. Richard Cox (Harlan Davidson,
1982)
Karl
Marx, The Communist Manifesto, Ed. And Trans. L.M. Findlay (Broadview
Press, 2004)
Friedrich
Hayek, The Road to Serfdom, Ed. Bruce Caldwell (University of Chicago
Press, 2007)
Grading
Scoring
Weights
Scoring Scale
Exam
1: 100 points
A = 90%
and above (540-600)
Final
Exam: 100 points B =
80-89% (480-539)
4
Quizzes: 100 points (25 pts each) C = 70-79%
(420-479)
Mid-term
paper: 200 points
D = 60-69% (360-419)
Attendance:
50 points F = below 59% (below
359)
Participation:
50 points No incompletes
allowed
Course
Requirements:
Exams: Prior to exam
days, the instructor will distribute a list of practice essay questions to
enable students to study for the exam.
The questions on the exams will be from the list and you will be
expected to answer them—no choice will be given. Hence, it is in the students’ best interest
to prepare answers to all practice questions.
Quizzes: A total of
FOUR quizzes will be given during the semester.
The principal aim of these quizzes is to ensure that students are
keeping up with the assigned readings.
Mid-term
paper:
A 4-5 page essay will be due on 11/4at the start of class. For the paper, the student is expected to
critique and analyze one idea or argument from one of the texts. Given the length of the paper, it is
advisable to focus on one idea or argument and not the whole text. The instructor will distribute possible paper
topics and general guidelines, although students are welcome to write on any
topic that is pertinent to the material of the course. Please discuss topics
with the instructor before you begin work on the paper. Attention to both grammar, citations (MLA,
APA or Chicago), and organization is necessary. A well-written paper is among
the first steps to success and needless to say, plagiarism has no place in this
class. It is strongly recommended that
students utilize the services of the University Writing Center, located at
Stevenson Towers South, Lower Level. You can make an appointment by calling
(815) 753-6636.
Attendance: Attendance is
mandatory and will be taken promptly at the start of each class. All students are expected to be present and
seated before attendance is taken.
Late-comers will not be allowed into class unless prior permission has
been taken. It is the duty of the
student to inform the instructor before
class in the event an absence is necessitated.
More than two unexcused absences will translate into the final grade
being lowered by half a grade. Sleeping
during class will be counted as an absence.
Class
Participation: It is crucial that students actively
participate in class discussions. Each
student is capable of bringing a unique perspective to the subject at hand and
in so doing, adds to the enrichment of all in the classroom. It is for this reason that class
participation will be graded. I am aware
that some of you are more hesitant to speak than others and would rather be
active listeners. However, I strongly
encourage you to overcome these inhibitions and meet me for guidance. It was not too long ago that I was sitting
where you are now and have felt the same fears.
I know that these fears can be dealt with and participating will not
only help in combating your hesitation but will also add to your personal
enhancement. I personally believe that
teaching is one of the best ways of learning.
Not only does an educator impart knowledge and skills, he or she also
learns from the students. Let’s make
this an enjoyable course for all, try to learn, and have fun. J
Course Policies:
1. Papers. The paper is due on the date specified. Late papers will be accepted up to 3 days
after the due date. However, you should
expect them to be docked one letter grade for each day they are late.
2. Make-up
quizzes/exams. A make-up quiz or
exam will be given only with adequate documentation that the absence was
unavoidable. The make-up exams are
sufficiently more difficult than the original that prudent people will avoid
them where possible.
3. Appointments. The instructor will make every reasonable effort
to be available to you. If you cannot
come during scheduled office hours, please call to schedule a mutually
convenient appointment. I strongly
encourage the use of email for questions, concerns, absences, etc.
4. General Advice: This is not a particularly “hard”
course. Keeping up with the readings,
turning in assignments on time, attending class, taking notes, and
participating will assure the student of a good grade. It is recommended that
students read the chapter before coming to class. Do not wait until the last week to cram
everything in. The scoring weights are
provided to help you keep track of your grades as they are turned in. Also, as most other instructors, I do not purport
to have all the answers. I will do my best to answer your questions
and I strongly recommend that you challenge the instructor so that everyone may
benefit. Please feel free to ask
questions because there are no such things as “dumb” questions. The best way to learn is by constantly
questioning what we are taught and told.
5.
Classroom Decorum: Usage of
cell-phones and other methods of communication with the outside world are
strictly prohibited in the classroom.
Please make sure these instruments are turned off and stored away upon
entering the room. It is strongly
advised that you take care of all
personal business before the start of the class. Once you are in the classroom, you are expected
to remain in your seat until the end of the class period and be respectful of
others present. Violations of these
policies will adversely affect your grade.
Any exceptions will have to be explicitly negotiated, in advance, with
the instructor.
6.
Extra Credit: Without exception,
extra credit is not an option. There are
plenty of opportunities to improve your grade with the course requirements and
if you find you are having trouble, please seek help early in the
semester. Efforts will be made to give
extra help but it is generally assumed that you will be responsible for the
work in accordance with the stated deadlines.
7. Disability: NIU abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which mandates reasonable accommodations be provided 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 provide or facilitate in providing accommodations you may need. 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 and administer exams with accommodations for students with disabilities. The CAAR office is located on the 4th floor of the University Health Services building (815-753-1303). I look forward to talking with you soon to learn how I may be helpful in enhancing your academic success in this course. 8. Academic Dishonesty: Plagiarism, cheating, and other novel forms of academic dishonesty will be dealt with seriously. The instructor reserves the right to fail the student for the rest of the course in the event these offenses are detected. Please do not purchase papers online or have others do the writing for you. It is not at all difficult to detect writing that does not belong to you. 9.
Withdrawal Policy: If you choose to stop attending class you,
the student, are responsible for withdrawing from the course. The instructor will not do so for you. If you stop attending and have not withdrawn,
a failing grade will be entered.
10.
Department of Political Science Web Site: Undergraduates 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 the site, go to http://polisci.niu.edu.
11. Disclaimer:
The instructor reserves the right to change the schedule. Every effort
will be made to follow the syllabus.
However, certain topics may demand a longer discussion which will necessitate
in modifications to the syllabus. In
such an event, the instructor will provide ample notice about the changes
instituted. However, please read the
assigned chapters for the week even if the chapter for the previous is carried
over.
Reading, Quizzes, Exam and Assignment Schedule
I. Introduction to Course: What is Political Philosophy?
The movement from
political opinion to political knowledge
8/26: Introduction to the course
8/28: Introduction to the history of
political philosophy
9/2
: Plato’s Apology, 17a-35d
9/4 : Plato’s Apology,
35e-42a
II. What are some of the chief claims of classical political philosophy?
A.
We have a duty to obey the laws?
9/9: Plato’s Crito QUIZ 1
B.
Man is by nature a political animal
C. There are both good and bad
regimes
D. There is a best regime to which
we ought to aim
E. The government ought to make
citizens virtuous
9/11: Lecture on Aristotle’s Politics (no assigned reading)
9/16: Lecture on Aristotle’s Politics continued
F. There is a natural law that
guides our conscience
9/18: Lecture on Thomas Aquinas (no
assigned reading) QUIZ 2
III. What are
some of the chief claims of modern political philosophy?
A. Politics is not about virtue or
the best regime, but only about who has the greater
force?
9/23: Machiavelli’s The Prince,
Epistle Dedicatory, Chapters I-IV
9/25: Chapters V-IX
9/30: Chapters X-XV
10/2 : Chapters XVI-XX
10/7:
Chapters XXI-XXVI QUIZ 3
B. Most humans are not capable of
consistently acting with virtue
10/9:
Lecture on Martin Luther and Jean Calvin (no assigned readings)
10/14 EXAM 1
10/16:
Brief selections from Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws
Readings
to be handed out by instructor
C.
Humans are by nature apolitical and so must consent to government
10/21: Locke’s Second Treatise of
Government, Chapters I-II
10/23: Chapters III-V QUIZ
4
10/28: Chapters VI-VIII (Sections
95-100, 113-122)
10/30: Chapters IX-XIII
11/4
: Chapters IV-V
11/6
: Chapters XVI-XVIII MID-TERMS
PAPER DUE
11/11: Chapter XIX (Sections 211-230,
243)
11/13: The Declaration of Independence
(copy available online)
IV. What are
some of the major views on the Capitalism/Socialism debate?
A. Early proponents of the Free
Market: The
Free Market might lead to individual
vice, but it
also leads to great public benefits
11/18: Lecture on early proponents of
the Free Market (no readings)
B.
The Marxist View: Capitalism alienates and oppresses workers
11/20: The Communist Manifesto,
pp 59-74
11/25: pp.75-94
C.
The Libertarian View: Socialism leads to Despotism
12/2: The Road to Serfdom, pp.
57-99
12/4: pp.100-156
Final Exam:
Thursday, December 11, 10:00-11:50 a.m.
IMPORTANT DATES:
9/9: Quiz 1
9/18: Quiz 2
10/7: Quiz 3
10/14: EXAM 1
10/23: Quiz 4
11/6: MID-TERM
PAPER
12/11: FINAL
EXAM 10 – 11:50 a.m.