Political Science 4330                           Lamar University                                  Fall 2002

Contemporary Political Thought                                                                        Utter

10:10-11:00 MWF                                                                                           GE 107

 

This course will deal with some of the more important themes in contemporary political thought.  We will begin with an overview of political philosophy and the questions with which it has dealt over the centuries.  We will examine those who established the modern political tradition, including Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.  Then we will move on to the 19^th and 20^th century thinkers and ultimately examine current figures such as John Rawls and Robert Nozick.  We will also take a retrospective look at Marxism to determine why it wasBand still isBso attractive an ideology for millions of people.

 

There will be two examinations: a midterm and a final.  Each examination is worth 100 points.  The two exams compose 2/3 of the final grade.  Each exam will include short answer questions (identification) in addition to more extended essays.

 

Students will also complete a paper that counts as 1/3 of the final grade.  The paper (10-20 typewritten, numbered pages) is to be based on a reading assigned by your instructor.  In addition to the assigned reading, students should select at least one more reading to use in writing the paper.  A bibliography of sources consulted should accompany the paper.

 

It should be a Athink@ paper in which you critically examine an author=s arguments on the topic. Your papers will not be graded not so much on a demonstration of extensive philosophical knowledge as on the willingness to strike out on your own, thinking independently about the topic and attempting to argue for a position.  The ultimate purpose of this course, in addition to offering basic understandings of political theory, is to give you practice in thinking about questions for yourself:  political philosophy is not primarily a catalog of knowledge and opinions, but an ongoing activity in which you can participate.

 

Note: Two points will be deducted for each day a paper is late (including weekends).

 

Caution:

 

Plagiarism (copying another author=s writing and passing it off as your own work) will result in a failing grade and therefore should be meticulously avoided.

 

To encourage class discussion, your instructor will assign short readings to specific students for in-class presentation.  These presentations can be considered good practice for writing your papers because you can go beyond simple summarization and give your own reaction to the subject.  Students not giving a presentation on a given day will have the responsibility of preparing questions on the reading assignment to ask the presenter and the other members of the class.

 

Regular attendance is required.  Because class discussion is an important part of the course, each student is expected not only to attend regularly, but to keep up with the reading assignments in order to take part in discussion.  Your instructor will keep regular attendance records  More than five unexcused absences will result in a final grade reduction.

 

 

BOOKS REQUIRED FOR PURCHASE:

 

Norman E. Bowie and Robert L. Simon, The Individual and the Political Order.  Third edition.  Lanham, Maryland: Rowman and Littlefield, 1998.

 

G. A. Cohen, If You=re and Egalitarian, How Come You=re So Rich? Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2000.

 

Harvey C. Mansfield, A Student=s Guide to Political Philosophy.  Wilmington, DE: ISI Books, 2001.

 

 

Office:              0-56 Maes

 

Office phone:    880-8526

 

e-mail:              uttergh@hal.lamar.edu

 

Office hours:     9:00-10:00 M-F or by appointment

 

Important dates:

 

October 2...............Last day to drop or withdraw without academic penalty

 

October 11.............Midterm

 

November 8............LAST DAY TO DROP OR WITHDRAW

 

November 22..........Paper due

 

December 9............Final Examination (11:00 a.m.)

 

COURSE OUTLINE

 

I           INTRODUCTION

Mansfield, A Student=s Guide to Political Philosophy

B&S, Introduction and Chapter 1

 

II          Utilitarianism

B&S, Chapter 2

 

III        Human Rights

B&S, Chapter 3

 

IV        Justice

B&S, Chapters 4 and 5

 

V         Democracy and Political Obligation

B&S, Chapter 6

 

VI        Liberty

B&S, Chapter 7

 

VII       Law and Order

B&S, Chapter 8

 

VIII      Affirmative Action

B&S, Chapter 9

 

IX        The International Realm

B&S, Chapter 10

 

X         Marxism: Gone But Not Forgotten; or Forgotten But Not Gone?

Cohen, If You=re an Egalitarian, How Come You=re So Rich?