Fall, 2014
Dr. Joanna Vecchiarelli Scott / Professor, Department of Political Science
jscott@emich.edu / Office Hours: MW 12:15-2:00 p. m PH or Online, (36 hr.
turnaround)
Honors PLSC #213: Introduction to Political Thought
Welcome to the Department of Political Science, and to this “core course” in the Political
Science Major and in Humanities General Education.
The writers and the ideas we will explore this semester are essential to understand the
very contentious (and violent) world of the 21st century. They have a direct bearing on
how we understand politics in America today. We will, in fact, use contemporary news
to highlight the questions asked by our ancient texts.
These writings are our cultural DNA in the West—they are our inheritance which continues
to shape political thinking on both sides of the Atlantic.
All these Western European writers were "embedded" in their times—they were thinkers,
reporters and actors. They can be read both as political propagandists aiming to persuade
audiences, as well as political philosophers building abstract models of political behavior.
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This is a readings (in class and online) based class with daily class
discussion/debate about the readings and any relevant outside reading
related to the assignments.
As a result, the readings and dates below are dependent on how
much progress we make in class discussions, and my sense of
whether you are on top of the readings.
There will be 4 graded exercises:
** 2 written essay exams consisting of 60% of your grade: 2 in-class; one take-home (or
possibly 2 take home essays—TBA). The last will be due on the first day of the final
examination period. Letter, rather than numeric, grades will be given on individual assignments.
** 2 in-class group presentations consisting of 40% of your grade:
You will work in groups and present on questions I will raise for each group, based on a
particular ideas (like “justice”) as argued by a theorist or a group of similar theorists
Exams MUST be taken on the day scheduled, or handed in on the day specified.
No exceptions will be allowed, unless an emergency happens and I have given my permission
beforehand. This applies to ALL students, including athletes.. Your grade on each exam, and
your cumulative final grade, will reflect my evaluation of --your written understanding of the
assigned readings, handouts etc., and your contribution to class discussion.. Missing an exam
without my specific prior permission (for an emergency which I think warrants your absence) will
result in a “0” for the exam. Cheating or plagiarism in any form (including uncited internet
sources) on any exam or presentation will result in automatic failure for the exercise, the
semester, and review by the EMU Judicial Board
Required Readings:
Required: Classics of Moral and Political Theory. Third Ed., Michael L. Morgan, Editor.
Hackett. 2005
Optional: Secondary analyses from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (free access),
Wikipedia, or any other reputable source you prefer.
I. The Ancient World—What is Politics? When is a “regime” legitimate, and when can it
be overthrown? Is Democracy a good idea?
Sept 5 – Oct. 1
Plato: (these are dialogues and read like play scripts rather than long texts)
The Euthyphro. 35-45
The Republic. Bks. 1-X pp. 75-- 251
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-ethics-politics/
Written Exam #1: October 1
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II: The Fall of the Athenian World—Rome and the New Empire: Who is a Citizen?
Representation and Conscience.
Oct. 6 – Oct 22
Aristotle:
The Politics. Bk.1-Bk.VII, ch. 13, pp. 301-356
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-politics
Aurelius Augustine:
City of God. Bk XIX.. 442-454
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/augustine
October 22: Oral Presentation #1
III. The Italian Renaissance to the 17th Century English Civil War: The Rise of the NationState and the Power of the Monarch—How can “democracy” and monarchical power coexist?
Machiavelli:
The Prince. pp. 482-526
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/machiavelli/
Hobbes:
Leviathan. pp. 548-681
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hobbes-moral/
Locke:
Two Treatises of Government. 684-749
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke-political/
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke/
November 19: Written Exam # 2
III. 18th Century Enlightenment and the French Revolution to 19th Century Liberalism
and Revolutionary Socialism
Rousseau:
On the Social Contract. Pp. 775-892 [EXCERPTS]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Rousseau
J.S. Mill
On Liberty: 1010-1068
On the Subjection of Women: 1103-1159
K. Marx.
Intro. 1160-1066
Communist Manifesto; 1183-1202
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marx/
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Last 2 days of Class -- Final: Oral Presentation #2
Some rules of the game::
*Treat your fellow students, and the professor, with respect: This classroom will be a safe place
for expressing a wide variety of opinions, questions and concerns.
*Do not arrive late. If you can’t avoid it, take a seat in the back of class, not in the front.
*Do not walk out of the classroom before the class is over; and do not walk in and out while class
is in session.
*Do not talk to friends, or eat in class
*Do not use your computer in class for anything other than taking notes, or use any other
electronic equipment, including IPhones, Blackberries etc., while class is in session.
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