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Polsc 663: Syllabus
Polsc.
663: Political Thought Since the 16th Century
This
course will explore the thought of four political thinkers. Because
we will refer often to passages from their works, bring your book
to class, having already read the assigned material for the day.
We will discuss the meaning of the text and the political and
moral questions that are raised by it. Because of its importance
in a course such as this, discussion will be considered when formulating
your grade. Suggestions for secondary, interpretive materials
are given below the required readings. Extra requirements will
apply to graduate students.
Required
Texts:
Modern
Political Thought: Readings From Machiavelli to Nietzsche,
edited by David Wooton, Hackett Publishing Company, 1996.
History
of Political Philosophy, edited by Strauss and Cropsey,
University of Chicago Press, 1996.
Grading:
Midterm:
30%
Final: 35%
Paper: 25%
Participation: 10%
1. Introduction
Suggested
Readings:
Strauss,
Leo, "What is Political Philosophy?" in What is Political Philosophy
and Other Studies. University of Chicago Press, 1959, pp.9-55.
2.Thomas Hobbes: Birth of the Liberal Idea
Hobbes,
Leviathan:
Introduction, Part 1, Chapters 1-6, 12-15; Part 2, entire, Part
3, Chapters 32, 34, 37, 38, 43; Review and Conclusion.
Laurence
Berns, "Hobbes," in Strauss-Cropsey.
Suggested
Readings:
Mary
Dietz, editor, Thomas Hobbes and Political Theory, University
of Kansas Press, 1990.
David
Gauthier, The Logic of Leviathan: The Moral and Political Theory
of Thomas Hobbes, Oxford, 1969.
Laurie
M. Johnson Bagby, Hobbes's Leviathan, London: Continuum Press,
2007.
Quentin
Skinner, Reason and Rhetoric in the Philosophy of Hobbes, Cambridge
University Press, 1996.
3.John Locke: Political
Liberalism
Locke,
Second Treatise of Government, entire.
Robert
Goldwin, "John Locke," in Strauss-Cropsey.
Suggested
Readings:
Patrick
Coby (1987) "The Law of Nature in Locke's Second Treatise: Is
Locke a Hobbesian?" The Review of Politics Vol. 49:1, 3-28.
*C.B.
Macpherson (1962) The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism:
Hobbes to Locke.
Leo
Strauss (1953) Natural Right and History, esp. 165-251
on Hobbes and Locke.
Nathan
Tarcov (1981) "Locke's Second Treatise and 'The Best Fence Against
Rebellion, "The Review of Politics, Vol. 43:2, 198-217.
4. Jean-Jacques
Rousseau: Participatory Democracy as a Rejection of Liberalism
Rousseau,
Discourse on the Origin of Inequality and On the Social Contract
Discourse
on the Origin and Foundation of Inequality Among Men, entire.
On
the Social Contract, I, entire; II, 1-10; III, entire,
IV, entire.
Allan
Bloom, "Jean-Jacques Rousseau," in Strauss-Cropsey.
Suggested
Readings:
Allan
Bloom (1987) "Rousseau," in History of Political Philosophy
Third Edition. (Strauss and Cropsey eds.) Chicago: University
of Chicago Press.
*Asher
Horowitz (1987) Rousseau, Nature and History. Toronto:
University of Toronto Press, esp. pp. 67-85.
Judith
Shklar (1969) Men and Citizens. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press.
Leo
Strauss, "On the Intention of Rousseau," in Hobbes and Rousseau,
ed. Maurice Cranston and Richard S. Peters, Garden City, NY: Doubleday,
Anchor Books: 254-290.
5. J.S. Mill:
a Utilitarian Argument for Liberty and Equality
Mill,
On the Subjection of Women, entire.
Henry
Magid, "John Stuart Mill," in Strauss-Cropsey.
Suggested
Readings:
Clark
Bouton (1965) "John Stewart Mill: On Liberty and History." Western
Political Quarterly, Vol. 18, No. 3: 569-578.
J.S.
Mill and H. Taylor (1970) Essays on Sex Equality. Chicago:
University of Chicago Press.
Mary
Lyndon Shanley (1981) "Marital Slavery and Friendship: John Stuart
Mill's 'The Subjection of Women," Political Theory, Vol.
9, No.2: 229-247.
This
course will adhere to/enforce all rules in KSU's student honor
code.
Copyright
as to this syllabus and all lectures, 2007.