Introduction to Political Thought
Dr. Laurie M. Bagby
Syllabus

Office: Waters 220
Phone: 532-0441
Office Hours:

ABOUT THIS COURSE:

This course will explore a field which has been variously called political thought, political theory and political philosophy. Prior to the 1970's this field, as taught within political science departments, consisted primarily of an analysis of the great political ideas as put forth by philosophers such as Plato, Machiavelli, and Marx. Especially during the 1970's a distinction emerged between normative and empirical political theory. Empirical political theory, based on social scientific observation, can be found in many political science courses from American Government to International Relations, but empirical theory does not claim to deal with questions of right or wrong, good or bad--norms. Normative political thought deals with questions of ethics, justice, the good life and the best--and worst--political regimes. This course will focus on normative political thought.

The promise of studying political thought for the political science major is that the more the student knows and can grapple with the great political ideas, the easier the task of understanding the rest of political science becomes. But perhaps even more significant is the usefulness of studying political thought for the person interested in politics. Because of our sometimes rather low opinion of politicians, it may come as a surprise that the "elites" of this and other countries are often philosophically educated. Conservatives at the top often locate their philosophical origins in thinkers such as Thucydides, Aristotle and Machiavelli. Liberal elites may find their roots in thinkers such as Plato, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Immanuel Kant, or Marx and Engels. Republican and Democratic presidents alike have in recent years appointed scholars of political thought to administrative and advisory posts. Some of the top advisors to the Democratic and Republican parties are classically-trained political theorists. Obviously, various political philosophies continue to drive policy in America today.

If the student takes a more global and historical perspective, he or she will see that great political ideas shape political history in ways which are truly difficult to ignore. The most obvious example of a philosophy of recent global impact is Marxism, which continues to inspire socialists and communists around the world, and those of John Locke or Thomas Paine, whose Classical Liberal ideas have swept the globe with the promise of representative government and economic growth. It is easier to understand Mussolini and Hitler after studying Machiavelli. If there is any doubt that philosophy has a direct impact on movers and shakers, the student of political science need only turn to our own founding, to the Federalist Papers outlining and justifying the new American constitution.

Mechanics:

You will be tested on lecture as well as the readings. Bring the text under discussion to class, since we will frequently refer to the specific portions for comment. There will be three tests worth, respectively, 100 points, 100 points, and 150 points (partially comprehensive final exam). The grade scale will be:

315-350 A; 280-314 B; 245-279 C; 210-244 D; below 210 F

The tests will consist of multiple choice and essay questions. They will be designed to measure every aspect of your course experience, including reading, understanding lectures, and attending class. For flexibility, test dates will be announced as we near the end of the topics to be tested. No makeups will be given without concrete proof of emergency. There will be no extra credit assignments. I reserve the right to amend your grade based on your attendance. Failure to pick up your test more than one week after it is returned in class will be a sign of poor attendance, and your test grade may be lowered as much as one letter grade as a result. Evidence of academic dishonesty (cheating/plagiarism of any kind) will be reported to the university's Honor System and will result in a "XF" for the course.

Required Texts:

Bagby, Political Thought: A Guide to the Classics, Wadsworth.
Machiavelli, The Prince, Wooton translation, Hackett.
Marx and Engels, The Communist Manifesto.

St. Thomas More, Utopia, Dover.
Plato, Gorgias, MacMillan.

Sun Tzu, The Art of War, Dover Publications.
http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~lauriej/index.html
 

1. Ancient Idealism: Plato

Bagby, "Idealism," p. 1; "Background," pp. 2-4; "Understanding Plato," pp. 4-6.

Plato, Gorgias, entire book as assigned.*

Bagby, "The Myth in Gorgias," pp. 12-14.

*Guide to Gorgias," pp. 20-24. Use this guide when reading Gorgias for better understanding and preparation for the first exam.

Videos: "The Greeks," PBS; "Confucius," Biography.

Bagby, "Parallels" as assigned from the web site:

http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~lauriej/index.html

2. Realism: Machiavelli

Bagby, "Realism," p. 47; "Background," pp. 48-52; "Understanding Machiavelli," pp. 52-54.

Machiavelli, The Prince, entire, as assigned.*

Bagby, "Careful Reading," 54-60, as assigned.

*Bagby, "Guide to The Prince," pp. 60-65. Use this guide when reading The Prince for better understanding and preparation for the second exam.

Videos: "Machiavelli," The Learning Channel

Sun Tsu, The Art of War, Dover. Read as assigned in class.

"Sun Tsu: The Art of War," The Discovery Channel.

Bagby, "Parallels" as assigned from the web site:

http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~lauriej/index.html
 

3. Socialism

A.St. Thomas More, Utopia, as assigned.

Video: Great Kings of England: Henry VIII, Kulture Video.
 

B. Marx and Engels, The Communist Manifesto, parts I, II and IV.

Bagby, "Background," pp. 188-192; "Understanding Marx and Engels," pp. 192-196.

Manifesto: Part I: Purpose and use of historical progress
Part II: Critique of classical liberalism and "end of history" Part IV: Exhortation*

Bagby, "Careful Reading," pp. 196-200; 200-202, as assigned.

Bagby, "Guide to the Communist Manifesto," pp. 205-208. Use this guide when reading Marx and Engels for better understanding and preparation for the final exam.

Bagby, "Parallels" as assigned from the web site:

http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~lauriej/index.html

Videos: Video, "The 20th Century: People Power," PBS.

Copyright 2006, Laurie M. Bagby, as to this syllabus and all lectures.

This course will observe and enforce all rules pertaining to KSU's student honor code.