WINTHROP UNIVERSITY
PLSC 355001 Political Ideologies
Spring 2015
TR 6:30-7:45
Professor Stephen Smith
338 Bancroft, ext. 4661, smiths@winthrop.edu
Office hours: TR 1:50-2:30, 4:50-5:20, 7:50-8:20, & by appointment
3 Credit Hours
Bancroft 371
“The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and
when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the
world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite
exempt from any intellectual influences, are usually the slaves of some defunct
economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their
frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back. I am sure that the power of
vested interests is vastly exaggerated compared with the gradual encroachment of
ideas.”
---John Maynard Keynes
What else does the history of ideas prove, than that intellectual production changes
its character in proportion as material production is changed? The ruling ideas of
each age have ever been the ideas of its ruling class.
---Karl Marx
The relationships between ideas and interests as well as the relationships between what
people think and what they do may be more complicated than these well-known statements by
Keynes and Marx suggest. Indeed, one of the abiding issues in the study of political ideologies is
what role ideas play in human affairs and how they play them. The venerability of that issue
notwithstanding, there is little doubt that ideas and ideologies do play an important role and that
some ideas and ideologies have affected the activities of millions of people.
In this course, we will focus on four influential political ideologies: liberalism, Marxism,
conservatism, and fascism. In the class discussion and written work, you will be given the
opportunity to relate these ideologies to others such as feminism, anarchism, nationalism, religious
fundamentalism, and (for want of a better word) environmentalism.
GOALS & STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Throughout the semester we will have two goals: (1) to become familiar with the
characteristic features of the ideologies under consideration and (2) to develop the intellectual tools
that facilitate a better understanding of our own political thinking as well as that of others.
To help achieve these goals, you will be expected by the end of the course to better understand:
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The various meanings of ideology
The main characteristics of ideological thinking
The various aspects and components of liberalism, Marxism, conservatism, and fascism
The historical and ideological contexts that gave rise to liberalism, Marxism, conservatism,
and fascism
The main similarities/differences among liberalism, Marxism, conservatism, and fascism
Many of the key ideas of the following writers:
o John Locke, Adam Smith, James Madison, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, T.H.
Green, John Dewey, Karl Marx, Eduard Bernstein, Rosa Luxembourg, V.I. Lenin,
Mao Zedong, Edmund Burke, Russell Kirk, Fredrich von Hayek, Milton Friedman,
Benito Mussolini, Giovanni Gentile, and Adolf Hitler
The relationship between the four ideologies mentioned above and selected other ideologies
How your political thinking relates to the ideologies considered in this course
This course participates in the Global Learning Initiative. Its global learning component
includes a discussion of how the writers and ideologies that we cover have been affected by the
various countries, cultures, and historical contexts in which the writers lived and the ideologies
developed.
HMXP 102 or permission of the instructor is a prerequisite for this course.
REQUIRED READING
Most of our assigned reading will be available via the class list serve or on Blackboard.
Additional assigned reading will be distributed to the class, placed on reserve in Dacus,
and/or can be accessed on the Internet. You are expected to have ready access—via a hard copy or a
computer—to the assigned reading when it is being discussed in class.
CLASS LISTSERV
I will make frequent use of the class listserv provided by the Division of Computing and
Information Technology, and you are required to subscribe to it. For additional information, go to:
http://www.winthrop.edu/technology/default.aspx?id=7081&ekmensel=bfef63b6_489_491_7081_1
GRADES
I hope to be able to compute grades according to the following formula:
10 points
10 points
15 points
10 points
10 points
25 points
20 points
100 points
Participation in class discussion
Unannounced Quizzes
Class presentation
First Exam—on or about Thursday, February 5
Second Exam—on or about Tuesday, March 3
Term paper---due on or before the start of class on Thursday, April 23
Penalties for late papers are: one-half letter grade for each 24
hours or fraction thereof that the paper is late.
Comprehensive final exam—scheduled for Friday, May 1 at 6:30 p.m.
TOTAL
10 points
Extra credit
However, if the learning process suffers because students are not coming to class prepared
to discuss the assigned reading, this formula will change to take account of the additional
assignments and exams that students will be required to complete.
Here is information on the components of your grade.
Class discussion: As much as any topic in political science, political ideology is best
learned through the give and take of class discussion. Although I will give some lectures, most
class time will be devoted to discussion.
Students sometimes hesitate to participate in class discussion for fear of appearing “dumb.”
But seemingly dumb questions and comments are often the most important because they help the
entire class get a better handle on the subject matter. To receive at least some credit for
participation, it is not necessary to supply the “correct answer” (if, in fact, such a thing exists), but
only to say things that contribute to the learning process. In grading your participation in class
discussion, I will consider both its quality and quantity.
You are guaranteed at least 3 points for class discussion, even if you never say a word the
entire semester. To get additional points, you must participate. If you do not participate in class but
seek a high grade for the course, you will probably find it necessary to do some work for extracredit.
Unannounced quizzes: During the semester there will be at least four unannounced quizzes
on the reading assigned for that day and/or the material that was discussed in the two previous
meetings of the class. In computing your final grade, I will drop your lowest quiz grade.
Exams: You will be responsible for the material covered in class as well as that in the
required reading. The format of each exam will be announced approximately a week before it is
given.
Class presentation: At some point during the semester, every student will be required to
make at least one presentation on the day’s assigned reading. If you have a preference for a
particular reading, please fill out the Presentation Preference Form and submit it to me as soon as
possible. I will try to accommodate your preferences on a first-come, first-serve basis, but I cannot
guarantee that I will be able to do so. If you don’t indicate a preference by the start of class on
Tuesday, January 20 I will assign you a reading for your presentation.
Your presentation should be 15-20 minutes long. In it, you are expected to:
(a) provide a several sentence biography of the author and indicate the year and historical
context in which the reading was written
(b) indicate what you consider to be the 3 or 4 most important points in the day’s assigned
reading and discuss the evidence/arguments that the author presents in support of these
points
(c) indicate the extent to which you judge these points to be valid or invalid and your
reasons for reaching these judgments
(d) indicate anything important in the reading that you don’t understand
(e) indicate 2 or 3 topics that you’d suggest the class discuss
Prior to your presentation, you are expected to submit to me a short paper indicating what
you’ll be saying in your presentation. The paper can be in outline form, but it must be typed or
produced on a word processor.
Please note and note well: Feel free to use PowerPoint or any other visual aids that you
think will add to the substance of your presentation. But your grade and education will suffer if you
use PowerPoint or other visual aids as a substitute for addressing the assignment. There is much to
be said for the way that contemporary technology facilitates the presentation of ideas. But please
remember that people like John Locke, Karl Marx, and Edmund Burke managed to influence the
thinking of millions of people without such technology.
You should also feel free to make use of secondary sources in preparing your presentation.
But your grade and education will suffer if you use secondary sources as a substitute for fighting
your way through the assigned reading.
Term paper: The assignment for the term paper will be announced later in the semester. In
writing your term paper, you must adhere to the Guidelines for Papers that will be distributed.
Extra-credit: There are many ways to earn extra-credit towards your final grade. I may
occasionally give in-class exercises or homework assignments that will allow you to earn extracredit. In addition, you are welcome to write book reports as well as short papers about various
topics that deal with the subject of political ideology. To receive extra-credit for written work, it
MUST:
(1) receive my prior approval
(2) be handed in on or before Thursday, April 23 at the start of class
(3) adhere to the Guidelines for Paper that will be distributed later in the semester.
Finally, you can receive extra-credit by volunteering to make a thoughtful and wellresearched presentation on an aspect of political ideology that interests you as long as the topic
and presentation are not mere rehashes of your term paper or of your required presentation.
Penalty for not adhering to conventional standards of classroom decorum: Just as you
can help your final grade for the course by doing work for extra-credit, you can hurt your final
grade if you flagrantly and/or repeatedly violate conventional standards of classroom decorum.
Students are expected to treat other students and the professor with respect. Winthrop has a large
campus, and the University provides many places where students can sleep, chat, surf the Internet,
check email, use their cell phones, and so forth. This class is not one of those places. Furthermore,
absent a personal emergency, students who come to class are expected to stay until the end of class
unless they have made prior arrangements with me.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students are expected to come to class, and attendance will be taken. It is very difficult to
receive credit for participation in class discussion if you are frequently absent, and, of course, you
cannot receive any credit for tests and unannounced quizzes if you are not in class on the days they
are given. However, poor attendance in and of itself will not otherwise affect your grade. But please
note and note well: if you are doing poorly in the course and ask me how you might do better, the
first thing we’ll discuss is whether you are attending class regularly.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Winthrop's policy on academic misconduct will be strictly enforced. It is your responsibility
to understand and adhere to this policy. If you have any questions about how this policy applies to
your work in this course, you must raise those questions with me before submitting that work for
evaluation.
Attached to this syllabus is the political science department’s statement on plagiarism.
Make sure you are also familiar with all relevant University policies including those that appear in
the Student Handbook.
KEEPING UP WITH CURRENT EVENTS
You are expected to pay attention to current events, especially those related to issues that we
cover in class. Although not a substitute for print media, National Public Radio's Morning Edition
and All Things Considered are easy ways to find out what is going on in the world.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to education. If you have a disability
and require specific accommodations to complete this course, contact the Office of Disability
Services (ODS) at 803-323-3290. Once you have your official notice of accommodations from the
Office of Disability Services, please inform me as early as possible in the semester.
SYLLABUS CHANGE POLICY
This syllabus is subject to change at the professor's discretion.
SCHEDULE of READING ASSIGNMENTS
This schedule, INCLUDING THE DATE OF THE EXAMS, is subject to change to
accommodate the needs of the class.
INTRODUCTION
Tu, Jan 13
Introduction
Th, Jan 15
The concept of ideology
“The Concept of Ideology”
Nicolaus, "Fat-Cat Sociology:
LIBERALISM
Tu, Jan 20
Locke, A Letter Concerning Toleration
Th, Jan 22
Locke, Second Treatise on Government
Tu, Jan 27
Declaration of Independence
Smith, The Wealth of Nations
Federalist Paper #51
Federalist Paper #10
Th, Jan 29
Bentham, Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation
Mill, On Liberty
Tu, Feb 3
Green, “Liberal Legislation and Freedom of Contract,”
Dewey, Future of Liberalism
Th, Feb 5
Exam
MARXISM
Tu, Feb 10
Marx, Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts
Th, Feb 12
Marx & Engels, The Communist Manifesto
Tu, Feb 17
Bernstein, Evolutionary Socialism: A Criticism and Affirmation
& Luxemburg Social Reform or Revolution
Th, Feb 19
Lenin, What is To Be Done, State and Revolution, Imperialism
Tu, Feb 24
Mao, “Chinese Revolution and Chinese Communist Party”
& additional selections from Mao
Th, Feb 26
Newton “Talk to the Movement” & Kelley, “Black Like Mao”
Tu, Mar 3
Exam
CONSERVATISM
Th, Mar 5
Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France
Tu, Mar 10
Kirk, The Conservative Mind: From Burke to Eliot
(Note: Wednesday, March 11 is the last day to drop the course & receive an N)
Th, Mar 12
von Hayek, The Constitution of Liberty
Tu, Mar 24
Friedman, Capitalism & Freedom
Th, Mar 26
Will, Statecraft as Soulcraft
Tu, Mar 31
Selections from contemporary conservatism,
FASCISM
Th, Apr 2
Mussolini and Gentile, “The Doctrine of Fascism;” Hitler, Mein Kampf, Moseley
Ten Points of Fascist Policy
Tu, Apr 7
Selections from contemporary fascism, to be announced
ADDITIONAL IDEOLOGIES
Th, Apr 9—
Th, Apr 23
To be announced
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Political Science Department Statement on Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct
The Winthrop University Political Science department abhors all forms of academic misconduct,
and faculty members aggressively investigate all incidents of suspected cheating. This includes, but
is not limited to, using turnitin.com.
Plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, is by far the most common form of academic
misconduct in the Political Science department. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:
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Using the words or ideas of others as one’s own;
Reproducing, in whole or in part, principal ideas from a fellow student’s work;
Granting a fellow student permission to copy one’s paper, or to reproduce some or all of
its principal ideas;
Quoting or paraphrasing material from sources without any citation;
Quoting or paraphrasing material without sufficient and/or proper citation;
Omitting some or all sources used in a paper; and
Submitting a paper written for one course -- whether in Political Science or another
discipline -- to meet a course requirement in a second course, without the express
permission of all instructors involved. This is the case even though many paper topics may
be relevant to several different courses.
All incidents of suspected academic misconduct are investigated with equal vigor.
When a faculty member suspects that a student engaged in academic misconduct, the faculty
member will follow the appropriate procedures outlined in the Student Handbook. The faculty
member will apply whatever sanctions s/he deems appropriate. Possible sanctions include, but are
not limited to:
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Failing the assignment;
Requiring a student to repeat an assignment for reduced credit;
Requiring a student to repeat an assignment for no credit; or
Failing the course.
Academic misconduct applies equally to required assignments and extra credit assignments.
All incidents of academic misconduct will be reported to the Department Chair, the Dean of
Students, the Dean of Arts and Sciences and the student’s academic advisor. The University may
impose its own sanctions in addition to sanctions imposed by the faculty member or the department.
The University may impose sanctions even after a student has graduated, and may include revoking
a student’s diploma.
In addition, students who engage in more than one incident of academic misconduct may be
declared ineligible for departmental awards, ineligible for employment in the department or its
affiliated programs, and ineligible to volunteer as a peer advisor.
Adopted August 14, 2007.
WINTHROP UNIVERSITY
Political Science 355
Spring 2015
PRESENTATION PREFERENCE FORM
(to be submitted on or before the start of class on January 20)
Name:
First choice:
Second choice:
Third choice:
In specifying your choices, indicate the reading assignment, NOT THE DATE because as
noted in the schedule of reading assignments, the date on which we discuss a particular reading is
subject to change.