P.S. 312 (Early) Modern Political Philosophy
Spring 2008
M,W,F 10:00-10:50 AH 305
Dr.
Joe Kunkel Phone:
389-6930
109 C Morris Hall FAX:
389-6377 joseph.kunkel@mnsu.edu
http:krypton.mnsu.edu/~jak3
OFFICE HOURS
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Mon 11:00-12:00 am |
Tue 9:00-10:00 am 2:00-4:00 pm |
Wed |
Thurs 9:00-10:00 am 2:00-4:00 pm |
Fri 11:00-12:00 am 2:00-4:00 pm |
OBJECTIVES
This
course is intended to introduce students to the Western tradition of political
philosophy and political thought from the Renaissance to the French Revolution.
Students should grasp the importance of political philosophy for political and
personal life. Students should come to a better understanding of their own
political beliefs, of their own political system and of their role as citizens.
Students should improve their ability for independent
and critical thinking.
READING
Reading assignments are detailed toward the end of
this syllabus. These books should be purchased but many are available on the
internet.
Machiavelli: Selected Political Writings. The Prince
and Selections from the Discourses. 1513.
Bodin. On Sovereignty. Cambridge Texts in the History
of Political Thought. 1577.
Thomas Hobbes . Leviathan. 1651.
John Locke. Second Treatise of Government. 1690.
Montesquieu: The Spirit of the Laws. 1748
Jean-Jacques Rousseau .The Social Contract and The
Discourses. 1762. 1754.
GRADING
Course
grades will be based your percentage of the maximum points.
A
= 90 -100%
B = 80 -
89 C =
70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = below 60
|
REQUIREMENTS |
Full Points |
Deviations/Penalties |
Extra Credit |
|
Papers on Readings |
50 points (5 points X 10 of 13 readings) |
Via email on due date 4 points (-1) Hard copy or email after due date 3 points (-2) |
5 pt. for each of other
readings, if on time.
Late penalties apply. |
|
Class Participation |
10 points (approx .5 points/day) |
|
10 points
|
|
Exams |
200 points |
Late exams without |
|
|
Midterm Exam |
100 |
permission |
|
|
Final Exam |
100 |
-10% per school
day |
|
|
TOTAL |
260 points |
|
|
PAPERS
ON READINGS
Write
a short paper on at least ten of the thirteen reading assignments. Each paper
should include
|
1. An
outline of the whole reading assignment. |
One
and one-half to two pages. Single-spaced.
Breaks between major sections. |
|
|
2. Paragraphs
identifying the passages you thought were most important and why. |
One
and one-half to two pages. Double-spaced |
About
500 words |
Total length:
Three pages typed; about 500 words. Typed. 10 or 12 point font. One-inch
margins.
PARTICIPATION
The professor will note
participation. Some participation is expected of all students. Regular
participation is valued and encouraged with extra-credits. Participation is
particularly important as we explore the reading assignments together. Students
are also encouraged to articulate their thoughts and questions during lectures.
EXAMS
SYLLABUS
Changes in the syllabus may
be made from time to time in order to correct errors, adjust the schedule, or
fine tune course details. Changes will be announced in class, with the
opportunity for student input. It
is your responsibility to attend class is to be aware of any syllabus changes.
The updated syllabus will be posted on the internet.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Students have the
responsibility of fulfilling their academic obligations in a fair and honest
manner. This includes avoiding plagiarism, cheating, collusion or other
inappropriate activities. Students found responsible of these activities may
face both academic sanctions (such as lowering a grade, failing of a course,
etc.) and disciplinary sanctions (such as probation, suspension, etc.) The
professor will strictly enforce any university policies in this regard.
ASSISTANCE and ACCOMODATIONS The professor is employed by the university to help
students learn. Too often students wait until they are in academic trouble
before seeking assistance. You are encouraged to visit with the professor as
soon as you need help. This goes for everyone. However, if you are a student
with a documented disability who will need academic accommodations, please see me
as early in the quarter as possible to discuss what is appropriate. I generally
permit extra time on examinations for students for whom English is their second
language.
CIVILITY As a
public space, open and free discussion is encouraged in our class. Please be
respectful of your fellow students. Avoid profanity or coarse language.
Reading Assignments
|
pp. 81-94 |
118-122 |
168-169 |
|
100 -102 |
129-130 |
178-179 |
|
105-106 |
150-152 |
183-188 |
|
110-111 |
160-164 |
189-217 |
|
pp. 189 |
Preface. First Paragraph to ³understanding grown delirious² |
|
192-93 |
Preface from ³knowing so little of nature² to
³suppress nature itself.² |
|
196-208 |
From beginning of Part I ³It is of man that I have
to speak² to ³acts which
are purely spiritual and wholly inexplicable by the laws of mechanism. |
|
219-240 |
In Part I
from ³but I stop at this point, and ask my
judges to suspend their reading a while ³ to Part II ³came to perfection
there before they were known on the mainland. ³ |
|
245-264 |
From ³The invention of the
other arts must therefore have been necessary ³ to ³the more
illustrious it was held to be. ³ |
|
271-272 |
Last Paragraph of Part II From ³I have endeavoured
to trace² to ³ bare necessities of life.² |
CALENDAR
|
Monday |
Wednesday |
Friday |
|
January 14 Course Intro |
January 16 Introduction to Political
Philosophy |
January 18 Intro to Pol Philos/ Italian Renaissance |
|
NO CLASSES MLK DAY |
January 23 Italian Renaissance |
January 25 Machiavelli Reading 1 |
|
January 28 Machiavelli |
January 30 Machiavelli Reading 2 |
February 1 Machiavelli |
|
February 4 Machiavelli Reading 3 |
February 6 Machiavelli |
February 8 Reformation and Politics |
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February 11 State, Sovereignty,
Resistance |
February 13 Bodin Reading 4 |
Bodin |
|
February 18 English Civil War |
February 20 Hobbes Reading 5 |
February 22 Hobbes |
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February 25 Hobbes |
February 27 Hobbes Reading 6 |
March 1 Hobbes |
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March 4 Hobbes Reading 7 |
March 6 Hobbes |
March 8 |
|
March 11 Spring Break |
March 13 Spring Break |
March 15 Spring Break |
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March 17 No Class |
March 19 MIDTERM EXAM |
Locke |
|
March 24 Locke Reading 8 |
March 26 |
March 28 Locke |
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March 31 Locke Reading 9 |
April 2 Locke |
April 4 Locke |
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April 7 Locke |
April 9 Montesquieu Reading 10 |
April 11 Montesquieu |
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April 14 Montesquieu |
April 16 |
April 18 Rousseau Reading 11 |
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April 21 Rousseau |
April 23 Rousseau Reading 12 |
April 25 Rousseau |
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April 28 Rousseau Reading 13 |
April 30 |
May 2 Toward Contemporary
(Modern) Political Philosophy |
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Monday May 5 FINAL EXAM |
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