P.S. 415 and 515
Recent American
Political Philosophy
Summer 2003 12:45-2:15 M-F
Dr. Joe Kunkel 222B Morris Hall Phone: 389-6930 E Mail: joseph.kunkel@mnsu.edu FAX : 389-6377 http://krypton.mnsu.edu/~jak3
OFFICE HOURS
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Mon 11:00 am -12:00 pm 2:30-3:30 pm |
Tue 11:00 am -12:00 pm 2:30-3:30 pm |
Wed 11:00 am -12:00 pm 2:30-3:30 pm |
Thurs 11:00 am -12:00 pm 2:30-3:30 pm |
Fri 11:00 am -12:00 pm 2:30-3:30 pm |
OBJECTIVES
Our goal is to understand and appreciate several recurring themes or problems in recent U.S. political thinking. Toward this end we will study and think critically about some important authors of, and ideological movements in, U.S. political philosophy since the Civil War. The themes or problems are the relationships between American democracy and capitalism, American democracy and race, American democracy and gender and American democracy and participation.
REQUIRED READING
Davis, Sue. 1996. American Political Thought: Four
Hundred Years of Ideas and
Ideologies. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey (partial photocopy available at Morris Hall Copy Shop. pp. (255-282, 303-311, 316-486)
Sumner, William Graham. 1883. What Social Classes Owe to Each Other. Caxton
Printers, LTD.1978. Caldwell Ohio.
Edward Bellamy. 1888, Looking Backward: 2000-1887. Signet/Penguin. 1960. N.Y.
Charlotte Perkins Gilman. 1915. Herland. Dover Publications Inc. 1998. Mineola. N.Y
Reading assignment on conservatism to be arranged.
ASSESSMENT
Your learning will be assessed using the following requirements:
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415 |
515 |
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One Page Essays (7) |
105 points (7X 15 points each) |
105 points (7X 15 points each) |
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Participation and/or Exam |
55 point maximum |
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Participation |
40 points (2/day + 4 bonus |
40 points (2/day + 4 bonus |
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Final Exam |
50 points |
50 points |
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Paper Proposal & Bibliography |
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40 |
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Presentation |
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10 |
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TOTAL |
160 points |
210 points |
GRADING
Course grades will be based your percentage of the maximum points.
433 533
A = 90 -100 A = 93 - 100
B = 80 - 89 B = 83 - 92
C = 70 - 79 C = 70 - 82
D = 60 - 69 D = 60 - 69
F = below 60 F = below 60
ESSAYS
Write seven short essays by answering the questions. Write clear, concise reviews that show you have read and understand the reading assignments. You must do essays #1 Sumner, #3 Bellamy and # 6 Gilman. Answer five of the others. Each essay must be 350-500 words in length. This is equivalent to 1 – 1.5 pages. Each essay must be typed, double spaced in 10 or 12 point font with 1 inch margins top, bottom and sides. Put your name, the full citation of the reading and the date at the top of the essay. Cite parts of the reading to support your argument, but do not quote at length. Example: (Sumner, p. 26) in text.
ESSAY #1 William Graham Sumner
What answer did William Graham Sumner provide to the pressing question of his day: “What do social classes owe to each other?” Include an explanation of his view of social classes, rights and obligations and especially on the role of government in a capitalist economy.
ESSAY #2 Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. DuBois
Compare and contrast Washington’s and Dubois’ plans for the improvement of the conditions of African Americans.
ESSAY #3 Edward Bellamy
In Looking Backward, Bellamy describes a utopian alternative to the economic inequality and class conflict of his day. He believes that a more nearly equal society is more fair and moral. Yet he includes some forms of inequality and distinction as concessions to individual freedom and to human nature. Describe Bellamy’s ideal society giving examples of both the equality or sameness and inequality or differences he envisions.
ESSAY #4 Eugene Debs and Emma Goldman
Both Debs and Goldman argue that existing systems of oppression are maintained by ignorance, and that once people become more informed, intelligent and conscious of the reality, society can be revolutionized and humans reach their full potential. Discuss the similarities and differences between these two thinkers regarding the widespread ignorance (it’s causes and misconceptions), the “true” nature of reality or correct understanding that is needed, and the revolutionary changes in society and in humans that are coming.
ESSAY #5 John Dewey
“Liberal democracy” is an ideology or political philosophy involving ideas about individualism and the relationship between economics and politics and a view of democracy limited by the realities of representative government. In what ways did John Dewey propose a “new liberalism” in contrast to the “old liberalism?” How did he suggest that the ideas of democracy be expanded? Be sure to touch on his ideas about human nature and individualism that underlie and connect both these proposals.
ESSAY #6 Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Gilman uses the utopian device to criticize the role and place of women in her own society and culture. What does Gilman see as the condition of women in her own society and how does that compare and contrast with the place of women in Herland? Include some discussion of the ideas of feminity and motherhood and their relationship to masculine values and roles.
Compare and contrast Martin Luther King’s and Malcolm X’s ideas on how to overcome American racism. Pay special attention to the issues of civil disobedience or violence and integration or Black nationalism.
ESSAY #8 Tom Hayden and SDS
In the Port Huron Statement SDS and primary author Tom Hayden call for the reinvigoration of American democracy. They describe problems they see with American democracy, explain the causes of the problems, and suggest the values and principles that ought to inspire and guide the renovation. They also discuss various groups as possible makers of democratic change. With emphasis on the central concept of participatory democracy summarize SDS’s analysis of American democracy in the early 1960’s.
To be arranged.
The participation and final examination assignments are paired to both encourage you to participate and to give an option to those who do not participate much. The purpose of both is
1. to encourage critical thinking and development of your own beliefs.
2. to encourage comparisons between the authors and integrative thinking.
You may earn a maximum of 55 points for participation and the final exam combined. The final will be set up in terms of several questions. You may choose to do several, one or a few of the questions. You will know your participation points and other scores going into the final, and some information given in advance on the questions. Thus if you have earned many participation points you may be in a position to do little or nothing on the final. Or if you have not participated much, you may have made the choice to allow the final to be weighted heavier in your grade.
The professor will note participation on a daily basis, with up to 2 points per day as the maximum. In addition there are 4 bonus points awarded overall for consistent or excellent involvement. You earn participation points only for speaking sincerely and/or intelligently. Any constructive comments can earn you the first participation point. For the second point we are looking for critical thinking and reflection on your own opinions and comparison between authors. Attendance and attention alone do not earn participation points.
Final Examination
The final exam will be an open book, take-take home exam. The questions will be available early during the final week of class. You may have 24 hours for the final and it must be turned in by final exam time on Friday of the final week. The exam will consist of several questions. You will need to write several short essays around some themes or issues in recent U.S. political philosophy. Unlike the short papers you will compare and contrast a few authors and express your opinions and evaluations.
The essay exam must be typed, double spaced in 8 1/2 x 11” plain white paper with 1 “ margins. Include a title page (name, title, course, professor’s name, date), body, and source page listing sources used. Papers should be 6-8 pages pages for graduate students.
A good paper is organized, structured and follows a plan that is obvious to the reader. Begin with an introduction of the themes. An organized paper has an introduction and conclusion and pays attention to transitions. An introduction should include two or three parts.
Begin the process of researching an author, tradition or ideological movement in recent U.S. political thought. Write a paper proposal from which you could go on to write a hypothetical 15 page research paper. The proposal should include: A clear and focused title; a paragraphy statement of the subject or topic. Several paragraphs identifying some issue or question about the topic. A paragraph arguing why the topic and issues are important and interesting to you. A one page annotated bibliography with 6 to 8 sources, which would be useful if you were to write a research paper on this topic. These should be sources that you actually look at and which helped you write the proposal.
The total length of the proposal, including bibliography should be three pages. The bibliography should include a full citation for each source and a few sentences describing and evaluating the source. The sources must be related to each other and to the proposed paper topic. Type this proposal. Use correct APSA style for identifying sources.
Talk
with the class for five or ten minutes about what you learned from your
proposal and what topics or issues would make an interesting paper.
LATE WORK AND
ABSENCES
Essays loose 4 points for each day late. I.E. the day after the due date they are worth 11 points. The second day late they are worth 7 points. The third day they are worth 3 points. You cannot earn participation points if you are absent from class, regardless of the reason for absences. The final exam is due on or before the final class session.
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 and advice. It is your responsibility to attend class is to be aware of any syllabus changes.
ASSISTANCE TO STUDENTS 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.
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.
CALENDAR
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Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
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May 19 course introduction |
May 20 Individualism & Inequality Read Davis, 255-82 Partic 1 |
May
21 Social Darwinism Read Sumner, 1-70 Partic 2 |
May 22 Read Sumner, 71-145 Partic 3 |
May 23 Race circa 1900 Read Booker T. & W.E.B. in Davis 303-310 Essay
#1 Sumner due Partic 4 |
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May 26 No Class |
May 27Utopian Socialism &
Populism Read: Bellamy, 1-111 Essay #2 Booker T. & W.E.B. due Partic 5 |
May 28 Read: Bellamy 111-221 Partic 6 |
May 29 Film: Eugene Debs Positive State Read Davis 316-345 |
May 30 Unions, Socialism Read Debs in Davis 361-374 Essay #3
Bellamy due Partic 7 |
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June 2
Read Ch. 8 Interest Groups
WORKSHEETS DUE Anarchism Read Goldman in Davis 361-374 Partic 8 |
June 3 Progressivism Read Dewey in Davis 351-60 reread 327-335 Essay #4 Debs & Goldman due Partic 9 |
June
4 Read Lippman in Davis xxx-xxx Partic 10 |
June 5 Feminism in Progressive Era Read Gilman 1-62 Essay #5 Dewey due Partic 11 |
June 6 Read Ch. 10 Elections WORKSHEETS DUE Read Gilman 63-124 Partic 12 |
June 9Equality &
Democracy Read Davis 375-405 Essay
#6 Gilman due Partic 13 |
June 10 Civil Rights and Black
Power Read King, Malcolm X Davis 405-427 Partic 14 |
June 11 Video: TBA |
June 12 Essay #7 King & Malcolm X due Partic 15 |
June
13 Video: The War At Home |
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June 16 Participatory Democracy Read Hayden Davis 429-443 Partic 16 |
June 17 Conservatism (reading to be assigned) Essay #8 Hayden due Partic 17 |
June 18
Possible Video |
June 19 Essay #9 Conservatism due Partic 18 |
June 20 Grad
Students Final Paper Due
Final Exam |