PLSC #213 -- Fall, 2015 / 11-12:15 M/W
Dr. Joanna Vecchiarelli Scott / Professor, Department of Political Science
jscott@emich.edu / Office Hours: MW 12:15-2:00 p. m PH or Online
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 established the moral values,
political processes and governmental forms characteristic of Western Civilization and are
European in origin. Unfortunately we do not have the time in one Semester to venture
into other thought systems (African, Muslim, Jewish, Chinese, etc.) For that I urge to
explore other courses in Political Science and other Social Sciences.
This is a readings (in class and online) based class, with daily discussion/debate
about the both the assigned readings + any relevant outside information or events
happening today which are related to the assignments. You must buy the book! (see
below)
As a result, the 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.
(Dates may change: you will be notified in advance if they do)
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**There will be 4 graded exercises:
** 2 written essay exams consisting of 60% of your grade. 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:
You must get the textbook in order to keep up with classroom discussions and
exams. are essential to understand the very contentious (and violent) world of the
21st century. Classics of Political and Moral Philosophy, 2nd. ed. Steven M. Cahn,
Ed. 2012. New York: Oxford University Press. [the 2nd. edition is required; but used
copies of it are fine]
Also included below are links to a very good source of information about the readings, from
Stanford University. In addition there are very good introductory explanations before each
of the assignments.
Sept 9 – Oct. 5
I. The Ancient World—What is Politics? When is a “regime” legitimate, and when can it be
overthrown? Is Democracy a good idea?
Plato: (these are dialogues and read like play scripts rather than long texts)
The Crito, The Republic.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-ethics-politics/
Aristotle:
The Politics
Nicomachean Ethics
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-politics
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***Written Exam #1: October 7—based on section I.
II. The Fall of the Athenian world—Rome and the New Empire: Who is a Citizen? Who
governs? What about individual conscience?
Oct. 12 – Oct 21
Aurelius Augustine:
City of God.
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/augustine
***October 26: Group Oral Presentation #1 based on sections I + II
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?
Oct. 28 ---Nov. 18
Machiavelli:
The Prince. pp. 482-526
The Discourses
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/machiavelli/
Hobbes:
Leviathan. pp. 548-681
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/hobbes-moral/
Locke:
Second Treatise of Government. 684-749
Letter Concerning Toleration
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/locke-political/
November 19: Group Presentation # 2 -- based on readings in section
III
IV. 18th Century Enlightenment and the French Revolution to 19th Century Liberalism
and Revolutionary Socialism—Which is more important: the rule of the “many” or the
rights of the “few”?
Rousseau:
On the Social Contract. Pp. 775-892
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Rousseau
J.S. Mill
On Liberty: 1010-1068
On the Subjection of Women: 1103-1159
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K. Marx.
Intro. 1160-1066
Communist Manifesto; 1183-1202
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/marx/
Last 2 days of Class -- Prep for final paper
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. No penalties for strong
opinions as long as they are presented reasonably and with evidence to back them up.
*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 either in class or online: Do NOT , Text/Twitter, email.
*Do NOT use your laptop or tablet/iPad or any other devices while class is in session. If I
think you are, all laptops will be banned from class.
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