Home: Polsc 672: Syllabus

Syllabus

Introduction

The study of ideologies makes clear the impact that ideas can and do have on the lives of millions of people around the world. Without an understanding of the major ideologies and their philosophical underpinnings, a student literally cannot understand nineteenth and twentieth century political history, nor can she or he fully understand current events. A study of ideologies should impress the student with the fact that ideas are often the most potent forces in the political world--ideas as justifications and as unifying banners. This course will explore the ideologies themselves, but it will also explore the source of their appeal, and their practical impact on people's lives.

Structure of Course:

For each unit, there are corresponding study guides posted on the web at the Political Philosophy home page: http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~lauriej/index.html. These are not assigned, but are there for you to use in whatever manner you see fit in order to prepare for the exams. There will be two essay exams (a midterm and a final). The midterm will be taken after completing units 1-3. The final will be taken after completing units 4-6. In addition to the two exams, you will be required to write a 7-10 page documented essay as described at the end of this syllabus. Please be aware that this course adheres strictly to the University Honor Code and Honor System. Any type of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism on any assignment, will be reported to the KSU honor system and will result in an "XF" for the course. Please see http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~lauriej/courses/polsc821/plagiarism.html for a full treatment of what plagiarism is and how to avoid it.

Midterm: 25%

Final: 35%

Discussion/Participation 10%

Research Paper: 30%

Required Texts:

Terence Ball and Richard Dagger, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, HarperCollins, 2002 (5^th Edition).

Terence Ball and Richard Dagger, Ideals and Ideologies: A Reader, HarperCollins, 2002 (5^th Edition).

Order of Readings:

1. The Democratic Ideal

Chapter 2, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal

From Ideals and Ideologies: A Reader:

Euripides, "Democracy and Despotism."

Pericles, "Funeral Oration."

Aristotle, "Democratic Judgment and the 'Middling' Constitution."

Machiavelli, "What's Wrong With Princely Rule," 29-32, reader.

John Adams, "What is a Republic?"

Alexis De Tocqueville, "Democracy and Equality"

Danielle Allen, "Democracy and the Power of Education"

2. Liberalism

Chapter 3, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal

From Ideals and Ideologies: A Reader:

Hobbes, "The State of Nature and the Basis of Obligation."

Locke, "Toleration and Government."

Declaration of Independence of the United States.

John Stuart Mill, "Liberty and Individuality."

Martin Luther King, Jr. "Letter from Birmingham Jail." (From Part 8)

T.H. Green, "Liberalism and Positive Freedom"

Murray Rothbard, "Libertarian Anarchism."

Thomas Spragens, "The Limitations of Libertarianism."

Chapter 4, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal

From Ideals and Ideologies: A Reader:

Aristocracy.'"

Joseph De Maistre, "Conservatism as Reaction."

Jose Ortega y Gasset, "Revolt of the Masses."

Michael Oakeshott, "On Being Conservative."

Jacquetta Hawkes, "The Woodpeckers and the Starlings"

Robert Bork, "Modern Liberalism and Cultural Decline."

Ralph Reed, "A Religious Conservative Vision for America."

MIDTERM

 

4. Socialism and Communism

Chapters 5 & 6, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal

From Ideals and Ideologies: A Reader:

Robert Owen, "Address to the Inhabitants of New Lanark"

Eduard Bernstein, "Evolutionary Socialism."

Edward Bellamy, "Looking Backward"

V.I. Lenin, "Revisionism, Imperialism, and Revolution."

Mao Zedong, "On the People's Democratic Dictatorship."

5. Fascism

Chapter 7, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal

From Ideals and Ideologies: A Reader:

Alfredo Rocco, "The Political Theory of Fascism"

Mussolini, "The Doctrine of Fascism."

Hitler, "Nation and Race."

6. The Future of Ideology

Chapter 10, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal

From Ideals and Ideologies: A Reader:

Dave Foreman, "Putting the Earth First." (From Part 9)

John Corvino, "Homosexuality: The Nature and Harm of Arguments." (From Part 8)

Marilyn Frye, "Oppression." (From Part 8)

Oren Lyons, "Spirituality, Equality, and Natural Law" (From Part 8)

Gustavo Gutierrez, "Liberation Theology" (From Part 8)

Abd al-Salam Faraj, "The Neglected Duty" (From Part 10)

FINAL EXAM

Using at least three and no more than five scholarly sources (books or journal articles--the sources must be found in Hale Library), and up to five articles in popular sources (newspapers, magazines) defend or oppose a particular ideology as it is manifested in the world today. Clearly state the position you wish to defend, as well as that to which you are opposed. If you choose to use a larger work from which a reader selection comes as one of your library sources, this will count as one of your required sources. You must meaningfully incorporate all of your sources into the paper and cite them using a standard method. The finished paper should be 7-10 pages long, double spaced with one inch margins on all sides. Any endnotes and a bibliography are in addition to the required 7-10 pages.