THE PRINCIPLES OF AMERICAN POLITICS (POL 1311-02)
Dr. Jonathan Culp
Spring 2011
MWF 9:00-9:50
Braniff 232
To contact professor:
Office: Braniff 216
jonathanfculp@yahoo.com (preferred means of contact)
Office phone: 972.265.5739; cell: 617.548.4693
Office Hours: TTR, 11-12, and by appointment
I. COURSE OVERVIEW
The Declaration of Independence famously asserts the “self-evident” truths that all men are
created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with the unalienable rights to life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness, and that all government derive their legitimate powers from the
consent of the governed. These are perhaps the most fundamental principles of American
politics. But what do they mean? And are they true? If so, how does the Constitution construct
a government intended to serve those principles? Does it succeed? If, however, these principles
are not true, what should be done? How should government be re-formed? These are some of
the most important questions we will be considering this semester. We will consider the political
thought of the American Founding, we will situate this thought within the philosophy of John
Locke, and we will situate Locke’s thought within the history of political philosophy. We will
examine how the Founders sought to construct a government based on the principles of the
Declaration. Since the principles of the Founding are controversial, we will also examine some
of the major political debates that have animated American politics, from the Founding to the
Civil War to today.
II. COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Attendance and Participation
10%
2. Quizzes
10%
3. First Midterm (Feb 14)
15%
4. Paper 1 (Feb 22)
15%
5. Second Midterm (March 23)
15%
6. Paper 2 (April 20)
15%
7. Final (date TBA)
20%
There will be at least one short quiz each week, covering the readings for that day and the
previous class. The quizzes will mainly consist of “objective” questions (i.e., true or false, fill in
the blanks, multiple choice), as well as some definitions or forced recall.
The quizzes are closed-book. To assist you in preparing for class, for quizzes, and for
tests, I will hand out ahead of time study questions for each reading. Your lowest quiz score
will be dropped and not counted toward your grade. There will be no make-up quizzes.
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There will be two midterms and a final. The first midterm will cover all material up to
that point; the second midterm will focus on material covered after the first midterm, but will
also draw on materials from the first part of class; the final will be cumulative, with a special
focus on material covered since the second midterm.
There will also be two short papers. Paper prompts will be distributed at least two
weeks prior to the due date.
Consult the University Bulletin’s “Academic Honesty” section (pp. 28-29) for my policy on
cheating and plagiarism.
Note: I adhere to the Classroom Code of Conduct contained in the University Bulletin on
pp. 29-31.
Also, I do not allow laptops in class, unless you have a documented learning disability. See
p. 32 of the Bulletin for how to acquire documentation of such a disability.
III. REQUIRED TEXTS
1. Culp, Jonathan. Principles of American Politics. Course packet. Purchase in the
Politics Department, second floor of Braniff Building.
2. Hamilton, Alexander, et al. The Federalist Papers. Ed. Clinton Rossiter, with an
Introduction and Notes by Charles R. Kesler. New York: Signet Classic, Penguin
Putnam, 2003. ISBN 0451528816.
3. Tocqueville, Alexis de. Democracy in America. Trans. and ed. Harvey C. Mansfield and
Delba Winthrop. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000. ISBN 0226805360.
IV. ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students are expected to attend every class and to show up on time. After three tardies,
each subsequent tardy will count as an absence.
Once a student has missed his or her fourth class hour, regardless of the reason, the
Registrar will be notified and a warning will be sent to the student. Upon missing the fifth class
hour, the student is subject to being automatically withdrawn from the course by the instructor.
According to University policy, students dropped in the first 10 weeks of the semester will
receive a grade of “W”; students dropped after the 10th week will receive a grade of “FA”
(failure due to absences).
Note: I do not distinguish between “excused” and “unexcused” absences. Both count as
absences, so there is no need to submit written or oral excuses for missing class. Absences for
University-sanctioned events such as sporting competitions or extra-curricular activities count
the same as absences for any other reason. If such events will require you to miss multiple
classes this semester, you should register for a different course
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V. POLICY ON MAKE-UP EXAMS AND LATE PAPERS
Students who miss scheduled examinations due to illness or family emergency will be allowed to
reschedule without penalty. If you miss an examination for any other reason, you will have to
contact me. It is important that you contact me ahead of time (if possible), or as soon as possible
after the missed examination. At my discretion, you will be allowed to retake the exam, though
the grade will be lowered. The extent of the late penalty depends on my estimate of how
compelling your reason for missing the exam is.
Except in cases of sickness or family emergency, I do not grant paper extensions. I will
accept a paper up to seven days late, but your score will be docked 5 points per day.
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VI. COURSE READING SCHEDULE
Please note that readings are listed for every day of the class. For each class, read the assigned
reading and review the reading for the previous class.
1. Jan 19, Introduction
 No assigned reading
I. THE ENDS OF GOVERNMENT
2. Jan 21, The Ancient View of Man as a “Political Animal”
 Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics and Politics selections, Packet pp. 1-14
3. Jan 24, Christian Commonwealth: Aquinas and the Puritans
 Thomas Aquinas, selections on natural law, Packet pp. 15-16
 Winthrop, “A Model of Christian Charity” (1630), Packet pp. 17-22
 William Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation (1623), selections, Packet pp. 23-24
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1.1.2, pp. 27-44
4. Jan 26, Machiavelli and the Break with the Ancient and Christian Heritage
 Machiavelli, Prince and Discourses on Livy selections, Packet pp. 25-39
5. Jan 28, Hobbes and the Modern Natural Law
 Hobbes, Leviathan selections, Packet pp. 40-51
6. Jan 31, Locke and the Founders on Religious Liberty and Toleration
 Locke, Letter Concerning Toleration, selections, Packet pp. 52-65
 New Hampshire Declaration of Rights (1784), first 4 articles, Packet p. 66
 Washington to Hebrew Congregation (1789), Packet pp. 67-68
 Washington to Quakers (1790), Packet p. 69
 Washington, Thanksgiving Proclamation (1789), Packet p. 70
 Washington, Farewell Address (1796), remark on religion and morality, Packet p. 71
 Virginia Act for Establishing Religious Freedom (1785), Packet pp. 72-73
7. Feb 2, Locke and the Founders on Natural Equality, Natural Rights, and the Origin of
Government
 Locke, Second Treatise of Government, chs. 1-4, 6-8 selections, Packet pp. 74-81, 91-98
 Five Official Statements on Equality (1773-1792), Packet pp. 112-13
 Thomas Jefferson, Letters to Adams (1813) and Weightman (1826), Packet pp. 114-15
 James Wilson, Of Man, as a Member of Society, Lectures on Law (1791), Packet pp.11617
 Jefferson, Bill for Crimes (1778), first three paragraphs, Packet p. 118
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8. Feb 4, , Locke and the Founders on Property Rights
 Locke, Second Treatise, ch. 5, Packet pp. 81-91
 John Trenchard, Cato’s Letters n. 68 (1721), selections, Packet p. 119
 Thomas Jefferson, letter to Madison, Oct 28, 1785, Packet pp. 120-21
 Nathaniel Chipman, Sketches of the Principles of Government (1793), Packet pp. 122-24
9. Feb 7, Locke and the Founders on Legitimate Government
 Locke, Second Treatise, chs. 9-14, 18-19, selections, Packet pp. 99-111
 Massachusetts Resolutions on Stamp Act (1765), Packet p. 125
 Town of Boston, Rights of the Colonists (1772), Packet pp. 126-29
 Declaration of Independence (1776), printed at the end of The Federalist, pp. 528-532
10. Feb 9, Montesquieu on Ancient and Modern Government; State Constitutions
 Montesquieu, Spirit of the Laws selections, Packet pp. 130-46
 Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776), selections, Packet pp. 146-48
 Massachusetts Constitution (1780), Preamble and selections from Declaration of Rights,
Packet pp. 149-51
11. Feb 11, Review Session
 No assigned reading
12. FEB 14, FIRST MIDTERM
II. THE AMERICAN CONSTITUTION
13. Feb 16, The Articles of Confederation and the Federalist Critique of Them
 Articles of Confederation, in the Federalist, pp. 533-41
 Federalist 15 (all), pp. 100-108
 Federalist 21, first five paragraphs, pp. 134-136
 Federalist 22, pp. 139-42 btm, 146 top-148
14. Feb 18, The Constitution
 The United States Constitution, Articles 1-7 (skip the Amendments), in the Federalist,
pp. 542-556
 OPTIONAL: West, “U.S. Constitution, with explanations in plain English” on
Blackboard
15. Feb 21, The Anti-Federalist Critique of the Constitution
 Dissent of the Pennsylvania Minority, selections, Packet pp. 152-62
 “Brutus” selections on the judiciary, Packet pp. 163-67
FEB 22: PAPER #1 DUE BY 5:00 PM
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16. Feb 23, The Improved Science of Politics and the “Extended Republic”
 Federalist 9 (first 4 paragraphs only), pp. 66-68.
 Federalist 10 (all), pp. 71-79.
17. Feb 25, Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances
 Federalist 47 (first 3 paragraphs only), pp. 297-298.
 Federalist 48 (all), pp. 305-310.
 Federalist 51 (all), pp. 317-322
18. Feb 28, Congress in the Federalist
 Review Article 1 of the Constitution
 Federalist 35 (5th paragraph to end, 210-213)
 Federalist 57 (first 14 para. only, 348-351)
 Federalist 62 (all), pp. 374-380.
19. March 2, The Executive in The Federalist
 Review Article 2 of the Constitution
 Federalist 70, pp. 421-427 (omit the last 6 paragraphs).
 Federalist 71, pp. 429-432 (first 4 paragraphs only).
 Federalist 73, pp. 439-442 (read only the first 8 paragraphs).
20. March 4, The Judiciary and the Amendments
 United States Constitution (in back of The Federalist). Read it again, this time including
amendments.
 Federalist 78 (all), pp. 463-471.
 Federalist 81 (first 9 paragraphs), 480-484.
 Ceaser, American Government, selections on the Judiciary, Packet pp. 215-18
SPRING BREAK, MARCH 7-11
III. SLAVERY AND EQUALITY
21. March 14, Slavery and the Founding
 West, Vindicating the Founders, ch. 1, Packet pp. 168-87
 Federalist 54, first 5 paragraphs only, pp. 333-335.
22. March 16, Slavery: the Later Southern (and Northern Democratic) Rejection of the
Founding View
 John C. Calhoun, Senate Speech on Abolition Petitions (1837), Packet pp. 188-89
 John C. Calhoun, Senate Speech on the Oregon Bill (1848), Packet pp. 190-93
 Supreme Court, Dred Scott v. Sandford, opinion of Roger Taney (1857), Packet pp. 19497
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23. March 18, Slavery: Lincoln and the Civil War
 Abraham Lincoln, speech on Dred Scott (1857), Packet pp. 198-202
 Abraham Lincoln, “House Divided” Speech (1858), selection, Packet p. 203
 Stephen Douglas and Abraham Lincoln, Seventh Debate (1858), selections, Packet pp.
204-11
 Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address (1861), selections, Packet pp. 212-13
 Lincoln, Gettysburg Address (1863), Packet p. 214
24. March 21, Review Session
 No assigned reading
25. MARCH 23, SECOND MIDTERM
IV. TOCQUEVILLE ON AMERICAN DEMOCRACY
26. March 25, Democratic Society and Popular Sovereignty
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1.1.3-5, pp. 45-61
27. March 28, Local Government and Administrative Decentralization
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1.1.5, pp. 61-65, 82-93
28. March 30, Public Opinion; Individualism and Its Remedies
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 2.1.1-2, pp. 403-410
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 2.2.2, pp. 482-84
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 2.2.4-5, pp. 485-92
29. April 1, Religion and Morality in America
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 2.2.8-9, pp. 500-06
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1.2.9 (selections), pp. 275-288
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 2.1.5, pp. 417-24
30. April 4, Materialism and Its Effects
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 2.2.10-15, pp. 506-21
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 2.2.18, pp. 525-26
31. April 6, Centralization of Political Power and the Threat of Despotism
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 2.4.1-3, pp. 639-645
 Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 2.4.6-8, pp. 661-676
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V. CHALLENGES TO THE FOUNDING PRINCIPLES
32. April 8, Philosophic Critiques of Locke: Rousseau and Hegel
 Rousseau, Discourse on Inequality and Social Contract selections, Packet pp. 219-25
 Hegel, Philosophy of History and Philosophy of Right selections, Packet pp. 226-31
33. April 11, Origins of Modern Liberalism: The Progressives (1880-1920)
 Charles Merriam, “Recent Tendencies,” History of American Political Theories (1903),
Packet pp. 232-37
 Woodrow Wilson, The New Freedom (1913), excerpts, Packet pp. 238-44
34. April 13, Liberalism: The New Deal (1932-1944)
 John Dewey, “The Future of Liberalism” (1935), Packet pp. 245-49
 Franklin D. Roosevelt, Commonwealth Club Address (1932), Packet pp. 250-52
 Franklin D. Roosevelt, Message to Congress on the State of the Union (1944), Packet pp.
253-55
 James Landis, The Administrative Process (1938), Packet pp. 256-64
35. April 15, Contemporary Liberalism: The Great Society and after
 Students for a Democratic Society, “The Port Huron Statement,” selections, Packet pp.
265-71
 Lyndon Johnson, “To Fulfill These Rights,” at Howard Univ (1965), Packet pp. 272-75
 Lyndon Johnson, “Great Society Speech,” at Univ. of Michigan (1964), Packet pp. 27679
36. April 18, The Modern Congress and Executive
 Ceaser, American Government, selections on Congress, Packet pp. 280-92
 Ceaser, American Government, selections on the Executive, Packet pp. 293-302
 “The Organization of the Federal Bureaucracy”, Packet p. 303
37. April 20, CLASS CANCELLED; PAPER #2 DUE
EASTER BREAK; NO CLASSES APRIL 22 AND 25
38. April 27, Judicial Review: Originalism vs. the Living Constitution
 Justice William Brennan, “To the Text and Teaching Symposium” (1985), Packet pp.
304-10
 Chief Justice William Rehnquist, “Notion of a Living Constitution” (1985), Packet pp.
311-14
 Harry Jaffa, “Original Intent and Justice Rehnquist,” from Original Intent (1994), Packet
pp. 315-18
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39. April 29, Recent Conservative Critiques of American Democratic Culture
 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, “A World Split Apart” (1978), Packet pp. 319-331
 Robert Bork, Slouching toward Gomorrah (1996), selections, Packet pp. 332-35
40. May 2, Another View of the Moral Principles of the Founding
 Robert A. Goldwin, “Of Men and Angels: A Search for Morality in the Constitution,”
Packet pp. 336-45
41. May 4, Review and Conclusion
 No assigned reading
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