Edward Hopper, Nighthawks, 1942
POLITICAL SCIENCE 3362
TWENTIETH CENTURY POLITICAL THOUGHT
This course analyzes the political implications of the problems of modern mass
society. The main focus is on those concepts most relevant to our world: alienation,
mechanization of life, fear of political impotence.
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Ball and Dagger, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, 6th ed.,
Longman
Bork, Slouching Toward Gomorrah, Harper-Collins
Hooks, Feminism is for Everybody, South End
Rand, Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal, Signet
Reich, I’ll Be Short, Beacon
COURSE EXPECTATIONS:
1. PLSC 3362 meets from 2 to 3:50 p.m. Monday to Friday. You are expected to be in
class at those times. A pattern of non-attendance may lead to your separation from the
course. You will be penalized 1.5 points for each unexcused absence. If you have what
you consider a legitimate excuse to miss class you must present that excuse in written
form.
2. My office is 208 Carr Collins Hall.
3. My e-mail address is bkcarter@smu.edu ; http://faculty.smu.edu,/bkcarter is the address
of my web site.
4. Contributions to discussion will be noted; worthwhile contribution is remembered when
final grades are set, especially in borderline cases.
5. You are expected to keep up with the assignments. Unannounced quizzes will be given.
6. In addition to those quizzes there will be two short take-home essays (each of 4 pages),
a midterm and a final examination. These requirements are weighed: 15% for the
quizzes; 15% for each essay; 25% for the midterm examination; 30% for the final
examination.
7. Take-home essays are due in class on the day announced. Late papers can be turned in
only in class and will be penalized one letter grade (10 points) per class meeting.
8. The last day to drop this class is Tuesday, 24 July.
9. If you need academic accommodations for a disability, you must first contact the
Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities at 214.768.4563 to verify the disability
and to establish eligibility for accommodations.
Then you should schedule an
appointment with me to make appropriate arrangements.
10. This syllabus is in the nature of a contract. I will follow it; so should you.
COURSE SCHEDULE:
THE SETTING: THEORY AND MODERNITY
July 2
Lecture: Introduction to PLSC 3362
Lecture: Theory and Reality
Assignment: Ball, ix-17
July 3
Lecture: 20th Century Political Thought: New Battles, Old Strategies?
Discussion: This Thing Called Theory
Assignment: Ball, 19-84
July 4
FOURTH OF JULY HOLIDAY
THE LIBERAL TRADITION RESTATED
July 5
Lecture: The Liberal Heritage
Lecture: Evolutionary Liberalism
Assignment: Reich, vii-61
FIRST ESSAY TOPIC DISTRIBUTED
July 6
Discussion: Defining Liberalism
Discussion: Modern Liberalism
Assignment: Reich, 65-121
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July 9
Lecture: Neo-Classical Liberalism
Discussion: Liberalism and Capitalism
Assignment: Rand, 11-62, 130-134. 140-143
July 10
Discussion: Rand and Individualism
Discussion: Review
Assignment: Rand, 202-235, 297-337
PRESERVING THE CONSERVATIVE HERITAGE
July 11
Lecture: The Conservative Mood
Lecture: Conservatism and Order
Assignment: Ball, 87-114; Bork, 17-55
July 12
Discussion: Bork in Context
Assignment: Bork, 56-139
uly 13
Discussion: Bork as Conservative
Assignment: Bork, 140-171, 250-271
FIRST ESSAY DUE
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KEEPING THE LEFT ALIVE
July 16
Lecture: The Left Restated
Assignment: Ball, 114-176
July 17
Discussion: Lenin’s Transformation
Assignment: Lenin (on web site)
July 18
Discussion; Democratic Socialism
Discussion: Review
Assignment: The 1945 Labour Party Manifesto (on web site); The Port
Huron Statement of the SDS (to be e-mailed)
July 19
MID-TERM EXAMINATION
NATIONALISM AND FASCISM
July 20
Lecture: The Revolt Against Complexity
Discussion: Nationalism’s Appeal
Assignment: Ball, 177-205, 274-276
SECOND ESSAY TOPIC DISTRIBTED
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July 23
Discussion: Triumph of the Will
Assignment: Mussolini (on web site)
THEORY AND EMPOWERMENT
July 24
Lecture: Theory and the Quest for Wholeness
Discussion: Theory Y and Empowerment
Assignment: Ball, 177-205; Hooks, vii-31
July 25
Lecture: Feminism and Empowerment
Discussion: Gender, Hierarchy, and Empowerment
Assignment: Hooks, 32-66, 100-104
July 26
Discussion: A Day With Ché
Assignment: Guvera (on web site)
LIBERATION THEOLOGY
July 27
Lecture: The Christian Heritage
Lecture: The Christian Imperative
SECOND ESSAY DUE
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July 30
Lecture: The Word Made Flesh – A New Humanity
Discussion: Liberation Theology
Assignment: Hillar, “Liberation Theology”; “Brazilian Voices of
Liberation Theology” (both will be e-mailed)
July 31
Discussion: Community, Justice, and Empowerment
Discussion; The Final Review
Assignment: Keep calm!
August 1
FINAL EXAMINATION