FALL, 2015 -- PLSC #309: AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT. M/W 2-3:15
Joanna Vecchiarelli Scott -- Professor, Department of Political Science
jscott@emich.. Office Hours: M/W 12:15-2:200 601 PH
Theme of the Course: States Rights or Rights Enforced by Federal Sovereignty
[Pres. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Second State of the Union Address. 1944]
"In our day…we have accepted a second Bill of Rights, under which a new basis of
security and prosperity can be established for all--regardless of station, race or
creed. Among these are: The right to a useful and remunerative job in the industries or
ships or farms or mines of the Nation; The right to earn enough to provide adequate
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food and clothing and recreation; The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products
at a return which will give him and his family a decent living; The right of every
businessman large and small to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair
competition and domination by monopolies at home or abroad; The right of every
family to a decent home; The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to
achieve and enjoy good health; The right to adequate protection from the economic fears
of old age, sickness, accident and unemployment; The right to a good education. All of
these rights spell security."
[Former Pres. Herbert Hoover, 1936]
"I gave warning against this philosophy of government 4 yrs. ago…based on my
knowledge of ideas that Mr. Roosevelt and his bosom colleagues had covertly
embraced…I rejected the notion of great trade monopolies and price fixing through
codes. That could only stifle the little business man by regimentation…I rejected the
schemes of 'economic planning' to regiment and coerce the farmer. That was born of a
Roman despot fourteen hundred years ago and grew up into the AAA; I refused national
plans to put the government into business in competition with its citizens. That was
born of Karl Marx; I vetoed the idea of recovery through stupendous spending to
prime the pump. That was born of a British professor (J. Maynard Keynes); I threw out
attempts to centralize relief in Wash, D.C. for politics and social experimentation; I
defeated other plans to invade State rights, to centralize power in Washington.
Those ideas were born of American radicals…"
COURSE STRUCTURE AND REQUIREMENTS:
Graded Assignments and Presentations:
2 Essays—Short essay tests taken either in-class, or as a take-home. Questions will
be distributed beforehand. 1 exam early in the semester, 1 at the end as your final
exam to be handed in on the last day of class.
Completed essay exams, and participation in group discussions MUST be handed in
on time, or participated in on the day scheduled. No exceptions will be allowed,
unless an emergency has arisen and I have given my permission beforehand. This
applies to ALL students, including athletes. [50% of your grade]
2 Group presentations in class: Topics will be based on the readings and assigned
by me. [50% of your grade]
[Note: Dates may change, based on how class discussion progresses. You will be
notified in advance of adjustments to the schedule]
Scoring:
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Each exercise will represent 25% of your grade, and will be scored with a letter grade
(not numeric). Your grade on each exercise, and your final grade, will reflect my
evaluation of: your demonstrated written and oral understanding of the assigned readings,
handouts and videos, class lectures and discussions. Class participation, not only in the
group projects but also as individuals in class, is very important and will contribute to
your final grade.
Ethical Conduct:
All presentations, written and oral, must be based primarily on your own ideas and
words which, in turn, are generated from the source text (see below) which has
been assigned. Any other information, including especially online texts and analysis, are
OK but must be fully cited and searchable. Using ideas and texts which are not yours
without attribution is called plagiarism, and will result in a “0” for the assignment and, at
my discretion, for the course.
REQUIRED READINGS, CALENDAR OF CLASS DISCUSSIONS AND EXAMS:
A word to the wise: First skim through the readings to understand the points being made
and to be ready for class. I will be discussing most, but not all, of them in class. If you
have not skimmed them beforehand, you will not be able to get much out of class
sessions, or understand those I do not get to in class. Then read them through for detail,
otherwise you will find it hard to succeed on the short and long essay tests, and do your
part in the group presentations. There is a summary before each excerpt, and a very good
general introduction. Read both!
REQUIRED READING:
American Political Thought. 7th ed. Cummings, Ed. Los Angeles: Sage/CQ Press
Part 1:
Sept. 9--23
John Winthrop, Roger Williams, Jonathan Mayhew, Sam Adams
***1st Short Essay Exam
Sept. 28
Sept. 28--Oct 14
Paine, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, The U.S. Constitution, In
Favor of Adoption of the Constitution, Against Adoption of the Constitution, Thomas
Jefferson
Oct. 26
***1st Group Debate
Part II + III:
Oct. 21-Nov. 9
Brownson, Thoreau, Stanton, Douglas, Calhoun, Fitzhugh, Lincoln I
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+III: 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, Sumner, Lloyd, Twain
Nov. 18
***2nd Group Debate
Rest of Part III --V
Nov. 11--Dec. 14
IV --- Du Bois, Debs, Progressivism, Wilson, Roosevelt, Hughes. Kennedy
V --- SDS, LB Johnson, Reagan
VI --- Wolfowicz, GW BushObama #86, #91
Important rules.....
* Act like grownup university students in class (and out) -- don't use language that
offends alarms other students.
*Show tolerance and respect for everyone's ideas. Heated debate is fine--insulting
debate is not. Rudeness is always bad.
*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.
*No laptop computer, text messaging, email or other electronic devices may be used in
this class for any reason!!!
*There will be no unscheduled make-up examinations in this class. Missing an essay
exam or class presentation, or submitting a late final essay, without my specific prior
permission (for an emergency which I think warrants your absence) will result in a “0.”
*Don’t steal: Using someone else’s written work or ideas without an acknowledgement
is called plagiarism --the mortal sin of academic and journalistic life. It will result in a
“0” for the essay test/presentation, and possible failure for the course.
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