Introduction to Political Thought
PLSC 213, Section 2
Fall 2014
Tuesday-Thursday 9:30-10:45pm
113 Roosevelt Hall
Bradley R. Jackson
bjacks53@emich.edu
601H Pray-Harrold Hall
Department of Political Science
REQUIRED TEXTS:
Plato, The Republic, translated by Allan Bloom, Second Edition, Basic Books
Niccolo Machiavelli, The Prince, translated by Harvey Mansfield, Second Edition,
University of Chicago Press
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract and Other Later Political Writings,
translated by Victor Gourevitch, Cambridge
Friedrich Nietzsche, Basic Writings, translated by Walter Kaufmann, Modern Library
Classics
OVERVIEW: This course is designed to introduce students to political philosophy
through a reading of classic works in the Western tradition of political thought. We will
address questions such as: What is politics? What is a constitution? What makes a
political order just? Is there a best regime? What is the place of the individual in society?
GENERAL EDUCATION RATIONALE: This course introduces students to the
philosophical approach to the discipline of political science. Through careful and
exacting readings of primary texts, students are introduced to the body of philosophical
thought on politics and governing that has developed over 2500 years, learn how
philosophical knowledge of politics is developed and disseminated, and learn to develop
their own questions and a method for seeking answers to those questions in the discipline.
Through a combination of close readings of the texts and placing the text in the historical
context, students will gain a basic knowledge of selective works in political philosophy
including the ideas or doctrines contained in the practices and approaches used in this
long tradition of political reflection.
CLASS STRUCTURE: This class will have a lecture format. Primarily, we will spend
class time discussing the readings. It is therefore imperative that you come to class
having done the reading. If you have not done the reading, the lecture will be less useful
for you. Doing the reading is necessary for another reason: classes like this are better if
students come to them with questions and concerns about the material. Political
philosophy is about principled discussion and debate. We will all get more out of the
class if everyone comes prepared to engage in the discussion.
Be sure to give yourself enough time to complete the readings. These are difficult,
complicated books and what an author means will not always be immediately clear. It is
important that you take time to read these works carefully, since you will be evaluated
primarily on your understanding of these texts.
ASSIGNMENTS: Grades in this class will be determined based on the following:
(1) Two midterm exams consisting of both short answer and longer essay questions.
These exams will be given in class on Thursday 10/9 and Tuesday 11/18. Together,
these exams are worth 50% of your final grade.
(2) One final exam consisting of short answer and longer essay questions to be given on
Tuesday 12/16 from 9-10:30am. This exam will be worth 40% of your final grade.
(3) Participation. This sort of class is improved by student participation. Questions and
comments are not only encouraged, they are also required and worth 10% of the final
grade.
GRADING SCALE:
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
96-100
91-95
85-90
80-84
76-79
72-75
68-71
64-68
60-63
55-59
50-54
<50
4
3.7
3.3
3
2.7
2.3
2
1.7
1.3
1
0.7
0
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY: Plagiarism of any kind will not be
tolerated. This includes using direct quotes or close paraphrases without
attribution. Use of Wikipedia is unacceptable, even if cited. Failure to comply with
the academic honesty policy will result in a failing grade on the assignment in
question as well as referral to appropriate university authorities for disciplinary
action.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: Students with disabilities should contact the
Disability Resource Center to establish reasonable accommodations. For an appointment
with a disability specialist, visit http://www.emich.edu/drc/.
SCHEDULE:
4-Sep
9-Sep
11-Sep
16-Sep
18-Sep
23-Sep
25-Sep
30-Sep
2-Oct
7-Oct
9-Oct
14-Oct
16-Oct
21-Oct
23-Oct
28-Oct
30-Oct
4-Nov
6-Nov
11-Nov
13-Nov
18-Nov
20-Nov
25-Nov
27-Nov
2-Dec
4-Dec
9-Dec
11-Dec
Tuesday December 16
Introduction
Plato's Republic Book I
Plato's Republic Book I
Plato's Republic Book II
Plato's Republic Book II
Plato's Republic Books III-IV
Plato's Republic Books V-VI
Plato's Republic Book VII
Plato's Republic Book VIII
Plato's Republic Books IX-X
Exam 1
Machiavelli's Prince I-V
Machiavelli's Prince VI-XI
Machiavelli's Prince XII-XIV
Machiavelli's Prince XV
Machiavelli's Prince XVI-XXIII
Machiavelli's Prince XXIV-XXVI
Rousseau's Social Contract I
Rousseau's Social Contract II
Rousseau's Social Contract III
Rousseau's Social Contract IV
Exam 2
Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil Part V
Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil Part VII
Thanksgiving
Nietzsche's Beyond Good and Evil Part IX
Nietzsche's Genealogy of Morals I
Nietzsche's Genealogy of Morals II
Neitzsche's Genealogy of Morals III
Final Exam 9am-10:30am