Political Science 301
Modern Political Ideologies
Fall Quarter, 2003
M, W, F: 12:15 – 1:20pm
148 Russ Engineering
Instructor: Dr. Laura M. Luehrmann
Office:
313 Millett Hall
Phone:
775-3197
E-mail:
Laura.Luehrmann@wright.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 9:50-11:00; Fridays 9:50-11:00 ----- and by appointment.
Course Objectives
Political ideologies are sets of ideas and beliefs that people hold about political regimes,
institutions, and the relationships between individuals, groups, and governments. Political ideologies
allow people to simplify political and social life, and they may be used to either rationalize or challenge
the state of current affairs.
In this course, we will examine the major ideologies that impact political life at the international,
national and individual levels. We will approach each political ideology in its appropriate context,
including its historical development, its major tenants, and its applications to the political world and
contemporary society.
The aim of this course is to present ideologies as they are understood by their believers, together
with criticisms made by their opponents. This course is intended to generate informed discussion and
debate about political ideologies, and should be used by students to help clarify their own perspectives
on issues of politics and society in the contemporary world.
Course Materials
One textbook is required for this course. A second, recommended book may be useful
background material for students less familiar with relevant historical periods. Required readings
beyond the text can be accessed through both closed and electronic reserve in the Dunbar Library.
Required: Terrence Ball and Richard Dagger (2004), Ideals and Ideologies: A Reader (Fifth
Edition): Addison Wesley Longman (listed under “Reader”).
(Recommended Resource): Terrence Ball and Richard Dagger (2004), Political Ideologies and the
Democratic Ideal (Fifth Edition): Addison Wesley Longman
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Student Responsibilities
This course is designed to introduce students to a wide array of ideologies. Attendance at all
class sessions is extremely important for success in this course, since the class is designed to elicit
student participation and input. Students are expected not only to think critically about what constitutes
each ideology, but they must also take what they have learned and apply it to world around them. If you
must miss a class session, it is up to you to receive the lecture notes from another student, and to take
upon yourself the responsibility of finding out any changes made in the schedule for class readings,
exams, or assignments.
Participation is a formal part of your grade and it will be measured in multiple ways. Attendance
is a necessary but insufficient element of this part of each student’s responsibility. It will be assumed
that students come to class having closely read and carefully thought about the assigned material. The
professor will distribute reading questions for each section to serve as a guide for this preparation.
Students do not need to turn in answers to these guides, but they should be prepared to answer such
questions during class time.
Note: Please do not wait until the end of the quarter to voice concerns about your performance
or understanding of the material: if you have any questions about the course, please let me know! There
will be ample time provided during our class meetings for students to ask questions and clarify any
points of confusion. Additionally, students are encouraged to “stop by” during office hours (no
appointment necessary), to make an appointment outside of office hours, and to e-mail the professor.
Final grades will be based on the following:
Reflection Paper:
Exam #1:
Response Assignments: (2):
Exam #2:
Final Paper:
Participation:
5%
20%
20%
30%
15%
10%
Make-up exams will be administered only if arranged at least 24 hours before the scheduled exam is to
be taken. Acceptable documentation will be required, and the scheduling of such exams is at the
discretion of the professor.
Instructions for Writing Assignments
Reflection Paper:
Due Friday Sept 19 at the beginning of class
What are your basic beliefs about government and politics? For example, what authority do you
think governments should possess? Do you believe it is proper for the government to lessen hardships
(financial, physical, etc.) experienced by some members of society? Should political leaders set moral
and cultural standards for citizens? Should (or do) religion and politics mix? How would you define
“freedom,” and what do you think governments should do to help promote it? Finally, why do you hold
the political perspectives that you do?
In 3-5 pages, typed and double-spaced, please sketch your own political socialization, by which
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is meant your experience and understanding of politics. Highlight how your life experiences have
influenced your views. Briefly describe the things in your life, such as family, party affiliations,
occupations, ethnic background, friendships, school experiences, study abroad, etc. that have contributed
to your political attitudes.
It may help you to frame this discussion in terms of particular beliefs that you hold on some
issues, such as affirmative action, abortion, indigenous (“first peoples’”) rights, environmental
sustainability, public funding for education, genetic research, or gun ownership. With these issues, be
sure to include both your opinion and the your sense of the source of your views. As we begin our study
of the evolution of political thought and action, it will be helpful for each of you to reflect on some of
the reasons why you hold particular beliefs.
The first topic’s lectures, class discussions, and readings should be particularly helpful in writing
this paper. After the paper is returned to you, save it. You will need to turn it in with your final paper
assignment at the end of the quarter.
3-5 pages; 5% of your grade
Response Assignments: Due throughout the quarter
As a way to help students understand the material and integrate it into their own views on
politics, students will need to complete brief writing assignments based upon the readings. These
assignments will be directly related to issues we will be discussing in class and will encourage students
to spend time considering important issues before class. Throughout the quarter, there will be four
assignments distributed, and each student is required to complete two of them. Late writing assignments
will not be accepted.
2-3 pages each; 20% of your grade
Final Paper: Due Wednesday, Nov 19th by 3:00pm (exam week)
So where do you stand? Pick 2 political ideologies that we have covered in this class: the
ideology that most speaks to you and your political beliefs, and the ideology with which you most
disagree. In the first section of the paper, briefly explain the most important tenants of each ideology,
and its rationale as understood by its supporters. This section is designed to demonstrate your ability to
objectively present competing ideologies, and will be evaluated based on the quality and completeness of
your discussion.
In the second section, construct a clear statement of the most important components of your own
political beliefs, drawing on the ideologies we have examined in this class. You do not have to proclaim
yourself an impassioned member of a particular camp, but you should identify the ideology or ideologies
with which you most identify. Indicate how various belief systems are integrated in your life, and
develop an ideological description of yourself. Include an assessment of how your beliefs differ from, or
are similar to, the 2 political ideologies that you analyzed in the first part of the paper. This section will
be evaluated based on your level of insightfulness and clarity of expression.
Remember to turn in your copy of the first paper assignment with this final paper. The professor
will look over outlines or drafts until Wednesday, November 12.
Note: This paper is due during exam week. Late papers will be penalized 5 points per day.
6-8 pages; 15% of your grade.
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Note: Dr. Luehrmann is a co-adviser to the Wright State Model United
Nations team. See her for details about applying! Tryouts take place at the
beginning of Fall Quarter.
Tentative Schedule of Assignments
Topic One: Ideologies and Democracy
(background reading: Text, Ch 1, 2)
Monday, Sept 8: Introduction
Wednesday, Sept 10: Reader pgs vii-3, #1 (Carver)
Friday, Sept 12: Francis Fukuyama, “The End of History?” (Reserve) and
Samuel P. Huntington, “The Clash of Civilizations,” Foreign Affairs, Summer 1993.
Access on-line at: http://www.foreignaffairs.org/19930601faessay5188/samuel-phuntington/the-clash-of-civilizations.html
Note: Fall Fest, 10a-3p today on the Quad
Monday, Sept 15: #2 (Euripedes), #3 (Pericles), #4 (Aristotle)
Wednesday, Sept 17 : #6 (Adams), #9 (Mill), #11 (Allen)
Topic Two: Liberalism
(background reading: Text, Ch 3)
Friday, Sept 19: Reflection Paper Due at the beginning of class
#13 (Locke), #14 (Paine), #18 (Kant), #19 (Mill)
Monday, Sept 22: #17 (Smith)
Wednesday, Sept 24: #20 (Sumner), #21 (Green)
Friday, Sept 26: Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Commonwealth Club Address” (Reserve)
Isaac Kramnick, “Equal Opportunity and the ‘Race of Life’” (Reserve)
Monday, Sept 29: #22 (Allen), #24 (Spragens), #23 (Rothbard)
Topic Three: Conservatism
(background reading: Text, Ch 4)
Wednesday, Oct 1: #25 (Burke), #27 (Wordsworth)
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Friday, Oct 3: #29 (Oakeshott)
Monday, Oct 6: Ronald Reagan, “First Inaugural Address” (Reserve); #31 (Bork)
Wednesday, Oct 8: Irving Kristol, “What is Neo-Conservatism?” (Reserve); Reader #32 (Reed)
Friday, Oct 10: Andrew Sullivan, “Going Down Screaming,” (Reserve)
Monday, October 13: Exam #1
Topic Four: Socialism and Communism, Pre and Post-Marx
(background reading: Text, Ch 5,6)
Wednesday, Oct 15: #33 (More), #34 (Owen)
Friday, Oct 17: #35 (Marx and Engels), #36 (Marx)
Monday, Oct 20: #38 (Lenin), #39 (Trotsky), #42 (Goldman)
Wednesday, Oct 22: #40 (Mao)
Friday, Oct 24: #43 (Shaw), #37 (Bernstein), #44 (Bellamy), #45 (Gould)
Topic Five: Fascism
(background reading: Text, Ch 7)
Monday, Oct 27: #46 (de Gobineau)
Wednesday, Oct 29: #47 (Mussolini), #48 (Rocco), #49 (Hitler)
Friday, Oct 31: Helen Zia, “Women in Hate Groups: Who Are They?” (Reserve)
Ingo Hasselbach and Tom Reiss, “How Nazis are Made”, New Yorker, 1/8/1996 (Reserve)
Topic Six: Liberation and Identity Ideologies
(background reading: Text, Ch 8, 10)
Monday, Nov 3: #50 (King), #51 (Biko)
Wednesday, Nov 5: #52 (Wollstonecraft), #53 (Grimké), #54 (Seneca Falls), #55 (Frye)
Friday, Nov 7: #56 (Corvino), #57 (Lyons)
Monday, Nov 10: #58 (Gutierrez)
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Wednesday, Nov 12: #64 (Lewis), #65 (Faraj)
Friday, Nov 14: Exam #2
**Wednesday, Nov 19: (exam week) Final Paper Due by 3:00pm
Papers need to be dropped off to Dr. Luehrmann’s Mailbox in the PLS Office, Rm 325 Millett,
before 3:00pm. E-mail submissions will NOT be accepted without prior written approval from
the professor.
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