Poli 341A, sec. 001:
Contemporary Political Theory
Fall 2009
Prof.: Bruce Baum
Buchanan B215
Office: Buchanan. C412
Office hrs: Tues., 1-3 pm;
Phone #: 822-2490
Friday, 12:30-1:50
email: bbaum@politics.ubc.ca
& by apt.
"There's something happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear."
– Stephen Stills, “For What its Worth” (circa 1967)
"Contemporary" means "belonging to the same time," or "modern or ultra-modern"
(OED). It thus denotes a particular slice of the broader time horizon of modernity.
Contemporary political theory has been framed by various aspects of modernity: the
legacies of the Protestant Reformation, the European Enlightenment, liberalism, and
Marxism; the Atlantic slave trade; European colonialism and imperialism; the rise of
“scientific” racism; popular revolutions and decolonization; global migrations and
diasporas; the development of nationalist ideologies and struggles; the world wrought by
mass production, computers, and genetic engineering (the “technological society,” the
consumer society); state-building, authoritarianism, and democratization; "ethnic
cleansing"; ongoing cultural and religious diversity and conflict; environmental
degradation and the rise of environmentalism; new ways of conceiving gender and
sexuality, and individual and collective identities.
This course will focus on some key perspectives in contemporary political theory,
understanding the “contemporary” era as extending from just before World War I to the
present. We will study a range of important theorists as they explore the following
themes: freedom, power, domination, and empowerment in relation to the hegemony of
global capitalism; popular education and “organic” intellectuals; the special – perhaps
fragile – status of distinctly political action and "the political" in our time; ideals and
problems of “civilization,” “progress,” rationality, and “rationalization”; the project of a
“critical social theory”; and struggles for recognition concerning “race,” gender,
nationality, cultural identity.
Prerequisites:
Some prior background in political or social theory (e.g., Poli 240 or 340 or a
comparable course in philosophy or sociology) is strongly recommended.
Format of the course:
There will be two lectures per week, along with some discussion and some short student
presentations (see p. 3, below). We will focus on understanding what each theorist
actually says, especially his or her central ideas, so you should always
Theorists and texts:
A. Books:
Hannah Arendt, Crises of the Republic (Harvest Books, 1972)
Judith Butler, Gender Trouble: feminism and the subversion of identity (Routledge,
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2006 or 1999 edition)
Frantz Fanon, The Wretched of the Earth (Grove Press, [1961], new trans., 2004)
The prior English edition (trans. Constance Farrington) is also satisfactory.
Antonio Gramsci, Selections from the Prison Notebooks (International Publishers, [circa
1930s] 1971)
Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man (Beacon Press, [1964] 1991)
B. Essays and book excerpts:
Mohandis Gandhi, Hind Swaraj (Indian Home Rule, 1909), in CRP
Max Horkheimer and Theodore Adorno, Dialectic of Enlightenment ([1944]
2002), 2 chapters: one in CRP; one on reserve in Koerner Libr.
Thomas Frank, “Why Johnny Can’t Dissent” (1997), in CRP
Bruce Baum, “Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World” (see my Pol Sci Dept. webpage)
Michael Oakeshott, “Rationalism in Politics” ([1947] 1991), in CRP
Carl Schmitt, “The Age of Neutralizations and Depoliticizations” ([1929] 2007), in CRP
Leo Strauss, “Notes on Carl Schmitt, The Concept of the Political,” in CRP
* Note: The Strauss essay IS in the CRP, but it is NOT listed on the cover page.
Letters/ “The Technocratic Mind”
(Exchange with Hannah Arendt, from The New York Review of Books, v. 12,
June 19, 1969)
Michel Foucault, Two Lectures” (on power, [1976] 1980), in CRP
Michel Foucault, “Truth and Power,” in CRP
Charles Taylor, “The Politics of Recognition” (1992), in CRP

Almost all of the shorter readings are collected in a Course Reading Packet
(hereafter CRP), available at the UBC Bookstore. The one exception is part of the
reading from Horkheimer and Adorno's Dialectic of Enlightenment (one chapter is
in the CRP; the other excerpts are available on reserve in Koerner Library).

One useful set of resources is the “Cambridge Companion” series, by Cambridge
University Press. It includes The Cambridge Companion to Adorno, The
Cambridge Companion to Critical Theory, The Cambridge Companion to
Hannah Arendt, The Cambridge Companion to John Rawls, and The Cambridge
Companion to Foucault. Another useful resource is The Cambridge History of
Twentieth-Century Political Thought, ed. Terence Ball and Richard Bellamy.

Notable journals of CPT include Political Theory, The Journal of Political
Philosophy, Constellations, New Left Review, and Critical Horizons.
Grading, expectations, and assignments:
You are expected to keep up with the reading assignments and to complete all the
assignments in a timely manner. Your marks for the course will be based on the
following components:
1. Two brief critical reflection papers and class participation – 10% of your overall
final grade
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Most of this mark will be determined on the basis of two brief, required critical
reflection papers (due on Tues., Sept. 29 & Tues., Nov. 10). These papers should be
about 100-150 words (or about a 1/2 page single-spaced) and should reflect critically
upon just one idea in one of the assigned readings. (You will NOT earn any extra
points for longer critical reflection papers.) These papers should be comprised of
succinct, thoughtful questions and/or reflections about specific ideas found in one of the
readings. You may find it especially useful to quote and reflect upon one particularly
striking claim made by an author in a particular reading. For instance, you might identity
a concept or idea that you find illuminating or problematic and briefly explain why. These
papers will be marked according to a simple scheme, with marks of 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65
and 60. We will reserve marks of 65 and 60 for late and/or somewhat shoddy reflection
papers, and we will mainly be looking for indications that you actually read and reflected
upon the reading in question. Your average for these short papers will comprise your
“base” participation mark in the course.
In addition, since constructive class discussion is a valuable component of this
course, I will take note of those of you who participate constructively in class discussions.
If you do this with some regularity during the term, I will add 5 points (roughly a half of a
mark) to your base participation mark (see above). Note: The participation component is
designed so that you should not feel compelled to participate orally in class. If you do
not participate in class discussions it will not hurt you; if you do participate
constructively it will slightly boost your mark. One additional way to bolster your class
participation mark will be to (a) briefly bring to our collective attention at the start of a
class some current event that sheds light on the assigned reading for that day or the
previous day in class discussions, or explain how the current reading helps us to make
sense of a current event; (b) give a brief history presentation to situate a given theorist
(first day); (c) a brief music presentation or film clip. You may only do this once.
On occasion I will use music to illustrate key themes in the course. Since popular culture
will be one of our topics, you will also have an opportunity to share relevant brief music
or film selections will the class (option © above). Any music or film clip that you present
should be chosen for its relevance to the assigned reading for a given day. When we are
continuing with the same theorist for consecutive days, you may also share a musical
selection that refers back to a topic that we addressed in the previous class. You will
present your selection, or sample, at the start of class and it should be about 2-3 minutes
in length (no more). You will be expected briefly (1-2 minutes) to explain to the rest of us
how your selection relates to the assigned reading. (If the connection is tenuous or
obscure, this will not bolster your class participation mark, so you should take your
teaching responsibility seriously.) If you wish to share some music, then you should
inform me by email at least 2-3 days before you intend to do your presentation so that I
can plan for it (e.g., bring in a boom box; know who is doing what). We will have no
more than one student music presentation per class, so that the first person who lays claim
to a given class and topic will get the slot. (It is possible that I may also play something
on some of these days.)
2. Two short, formal papers – worth 50% together.
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The first will be no more than 3-3 1/2 pages, double-spaced (roughly 1000-1200
words, no more), and worth 20% (due at the end of class on Oct. 13); the 2nd will be
no more than 4-5 pages, double-spaced, and worth 30%, due on Friday, Dec. 4.
Your two short papers should be thoughtful, focused, and concise endeavors to critically
analyze a concept or topic that is raised in the readings. Choose one manageable topic
and/or point of contention that interests you in the relevant reading or readings. Generally
speaking, you should focus on one theorist and one idea (e.g., an analysis of the value of
Gandhi’s critique of modern European “civilization” or of the usefulness of Gramsci’s
notion of hegemony for contemporary political analysis). In some cases you might find it
instructive to compare what different theorists say about a common topic. Keep in mind,
though, that these are meant to be short papers. Feel free to use ideas drawn from other
sources as appropriate to develop arguments. Your papers should convey a clear
understanding of the theory or idea that you are discussing. Be sure to provide sufficient
(preferably short) quotations and provide proper citations to show that the author in
question actually holds the view that you attribute to her or him. Finally, your paper
should include a clearly articulated thesis regarding your topic and should convey some
sense of the significance of the topic. Keep in mind that an effective critique or defense
of the ideas of a particular theorist or theorists requires a solid understanding of the
ideas of the theorist or theorists.
Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is a serious scholarly offence that may result in expulsion from the university.
The Department of Political Science enforces UBC’s plagiarism policies. Review UBC’s
Calendar section on “Academic Regulations” for UBC’s policy on cheating, plagiarism
and other forms of academic dishonesty.
See http://www.arts.ubc.ca/arts-students/plagiarism-avoided.html
UBC subscribes to TurnItIn.com, an electronic resource that checks textual material for
its originality and integrity. The Political Science Department at UBC is committed, as
department policy, to using TurnItIn to check for cases of plagiarism, so you will be
required to submit papers electronically to TurnItIn as well as in hard copy form.
For more information, a page describing TurnItIn, and the Political Science Department’s
reasons for using it is available at: http://www.politics.ubc.ca/index.php?id=3798.
Retain a copy of all submitted work and all marked assignments. You have a right to
view marked exams. You must apply within one month of receiving your final grade to
view the exam; it remains the property of UBC.
3. Final exam (2 short essays and one long essay) – worth 40% of your overall grade.
Late paper penalties:
There will be a slight penalty for late “critical reflection” papers (see above). Concerning
the more formal papers (# 2, above), late papers will be docked 3 points if they are one
class late; they will be docked 5 points if they are turned in one week after they are due;
and they will be docked a maximum of 10 points if they are turned in more than one week
late. If your paper is late due to illness or other genuine life emergency, you will not be
docked any points. In such cases, to receive permission for late submission please be
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sure to contact me before the due date (unless that is not possible) and provide
appropriate documentation.
Format of the course:
There will be two lectures per week, along with some discussion and some short student
presentations. We will focus on understanding what each theorist actually says, especially
his or her central ideas, so you should always bring your texts with you to class.
Topics:
I. Course Introduction – Sept. 10
Contours of “contemporary” thought:
A century of … liberalism and its critics (conservatism, Marxism, Critical Theory,
mutliculturalism); modernism and post-modernism (“We won’t get fooled again” … or
will we?); anti-colonialism to post-colonialism; rights and justice; feminism;
authoritarianism, democratization, and globalization; … and anthropocentrism?
II. Gandhi on Satyagraha (non-violence/ “soul force”), Progress and “Civilization” –
Sept. 15
Read: Gandhi, Hind Swaraj, excerpts in CRP
Questions: Is Gandhi a conservative, a radical, or a combination of both? What is the
legacy and significance of Gandhi’s critique of (Western) “civilization” and ideas of nonviolent resistance (satyagraha)?
Richard Attenborough’s 1982 film “Gandhi” has its limits, but is worth seeing for
background.
III. Directions in "Western" Marxism: Antonio Gramsci and the Early "Frankfurt
School" of Social Criticism – Sept. 22-Oct. 1
** If you have time: Two good film introductions to emancipatory hopes and struggles
in the early twentieth century: "Rosa," on the early 20th century German Marxist Rosa
Luxemburg; and Ken Loach's "Land and Freedom," on the Spanish Civil War, an epochal
event for early twentieth century political theorists and activists, particularly for fascists,
Marxists, non-Marxist socialists, democrats, and anarchists. Both films are available on at
good video/ DVD stores.
A. Gramsci on Intellectuals and Education – Sept. 17 & 22
Read:
Gramsci, Prison Notebooks, pp. 3-14, (skim, if time, 14-23), 24-43, 52-5
Recommended:
Hoare and Smith, "Introduction," pp. xvii-xxv, lxxxvii-xcvi
(Read more of the "Intro." if you have the time and interest.)
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B. Gramsci on the state and civil society and “The Modern Prince” – Sept. 24
Read: Gramsci, Prison Notebooks, pp. 123-57, 158-68, 192-95, and 242-47 (these last
pages span from “Problem of the ‘Collective Man’ …” to “The Conception of Law”)
C. Horkheimer and Adorno: Reason, Social Criticism, Mass Culture, and the
“Dialectic of Enlightenment” – Sept. 29 & Oct. 1
For Sept. 29, read:
Horkheimer and Adorno, Prefaces and "The Concept of Enlightenment," from
Dialectic of Enlightenment, in CRP.
** First critical reflection paper is due on Tues, Sept. 29. See above. **
For Oct. 1, read:
Horkheimer and Adorno, "The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception,"
from The Dialectic of Enlightenment. The chapter, separately, and the book will
be on reserve in Koerner Library reserve collection, B3279.H8473 P513 2002.
Supplemental reading on popular culture and the “culture industry”:
Thomas Frank, “Why Johnny Can’t Dissent,” in CRP
Bruce Baum, “Keep on Rockin’ in the Free World” (a review of some recent “protest”
music via Gramsci, Horkheimer and Adorno, and Marcuse). See my dept.
webpage.
IV. Varieties of conservatism: Carl Schmitt, Leo Strauss, and Michael Oakeshott ––
Oct. 6-13
A. Schmitt’s Critique of Modern Liberal Idealism: on the Politics of “Us” and
“Them”
For Oct. 6, read:
Schmitt, “The Age of Neutralizations and Depoliticizations” (1929), in CRP.
Recommended:
Forwards by Tracy Strong to Schmitt, The Concept of the Political. Book on reserve in
Koerner Library reserve collection, JA74 .S313 2007.
B. Leo Strauss on Schmitt and the Political
For Oct. 8, read:
Leo Strauss, “Notes on Carl Schmitt, The Concept of the Political”
C. Michael Oakeshott’s Contemporary “Classical” Conservatism
For Oct. 13, read:
Michael Oakeshott, “Rationalism in Politics,” in CRP.
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** First formal paper is due on Tues., October 13 in class.**
V. Beyond the “West and the Rest”: Frantz Fanon on Colonialism, Anti-Colonialism
and National Liberation – Oct. 15-22
Note: British film maker and cultural critic Isaac Julien made a useful documentary on
Fanon a few years ago which is available in Koerner Library and at Videomatica (4th
Ave.).
For Oct. 15:
Read: Homi K. Bhabha, “Introduction,” to The Wretched of the Earth
Fanon, Wretched of the Earth, "On Violence" (incl. "On Violence in the International
Context"), pp. 1-62
Recommended:
Jean-Paul Sartre, "Preface"
R. Philcox, “On Retranslating Fanon,” pp. 241-51.
Note: There are a lot of pages to read for each class, but Fanon is fairly easy to
read and you should focus on the “big picture.”
For Oct. 20:
Read: Fanon, Wretched of the Earth, Ch. 2, "Grandeur and Weakness of Spontaneity”
For Oct. 22:
Read: Fanon, Wretched of the Earth, Ch. 3, “The Trials and Tribulations of National
Consciousness"; Ch. 4, "On National Culture" & "Conclusion"
VI. Hannah Arendt’s Neo-Aristotelian Rethinking of "the political" – Oct. 27-Nov.
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For Oct. 27: Read: Arendt, Crises, “Lying in Politics”
Supplemental reading: Corey Robin, “Dragon-Slayers,” (on Arendt), London Review of
Books, Jan. 4, 2006, at http://www.lrb.co.uk/v29/n01/robi02_.html.
For Oct. 29: Read: Arendt, Crises, “On Violence”
Letters/ “The Technocratic Mind,” in CRP.
(Exchange with Hannah Arendt, from The New York Review of Books, v. 12,
June 19, 1969)
For Nov. 3: Read: Arendt, Crises, “Civil Disobedience” and (if time) “Thoughts on
Politics and Revolution.” (Focus on “Civil Disobedience.”)
VII. Critical Theory Revisited: Marcuse and “One-Dimensional” Society –Nov. 5-12
For Nov. 5:
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Read: Kellner, “Introduction”
Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, Introduction, Chs. 1, 2 (19-55; read as much as you
can, or at least skim Ch. 2), and Ch. 3.
For Nov. 10:
Read: Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, Chs. 4 (esp. 84-90, 113-20) & 5.
** Second critical reflection is due on Tues., Nov. 10. See above. **
For Nov. 12:
Read: Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man, Chs. 7 (read or skim Ch. 6 if time); Part 3, read
Chs. 9 & 10; skim Ch. 8.
VIII. Michel Foucault on Modern Power and “Power/Knowledge” – Mar. 17 & 19
For Nov. 17:
Read: Foucault, “Two Lectures,” in CRP
For Nov. 19:
Read: Foucault, “Truth and Power” in CRP
IX. Charles Taylor, Judith Butler, and the Politics of Difference and Recognition –
Nov. 26-Dec. 3
A. Taylor and the Politics of Recognition
For Nov. 24:
Read: Charles Taylor, “The Politics of Recognition,” in CRP
B. Judith Butler & the Politics of Gender, Sexuality, and “Difference” – Nov. 26Dec. 3
For Nov. 26: We will (hopefully) finish with Taylor and start with Butler.
Read: Butler, Gender Trouble, Prefaces & Part 1, secs. i-v (pp. vii-xxxii, 3-33).
For Dec. 1:
Read: Butler, Gender Trouble, finish Part 1 (sec. vi); Part 2, pp. 45-49 & secs. iv & v
(pp. 84-100).
For Dec. 3:
Read: Butler, Gender Trouble, Part 3, secs. ii & iv (skim sec. iii); pp. 119-41, 163-80 &
181-90 (skim 141-63).
** Second formal paper is due on Friday, Dec. 4, in my mailbox, but you may turn it
in after class on Dec. 3.
Final exam on ______________________________.
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