Introduction to Political Theory: POLS Y105

 Bartky: Summer 1- 2008

Email: bartky@ipfw.edu

Please be sure to read the Introductory Letter on the course Web Page!

http://www.ipfw.edu/pols/assets/syllabi/bartky/homepage.htm

NOTE: PROF. BARTKY COMMUNICATES WITH STUDENTS THROUGH HIS EMAIL bartky@ipfw.edu

Course Description

Political philosophy is the oldest and most provocative of the social sciences. Political philosophy is traditional as it examines the history of thought, giving a serious hearing to long-established ideas. Yet political philosophy is also radical since it compels us to question the truth of those ideas. The readings, reflecting the breadth and depth of political life, provide an unparalleled opportunity for students to wrestle with fundamental questions about politics. In order to wrestle with these questions we shall pay close attention both to the structure of the texts and to the substantive arguments of the authors.

This course fulfills the General Education requirement for Area Three: The Individual, Culture, and Society.

Course Texts
Michael L. Morgan (ed.), Classics of Moral and Political Theory

In addition, it is recommended that you obtain a copy of:
-Hebrew Scriptures and Christian Scriptures
-Leo Strauss and Joseph Cropsey, History of Political Philosophy

Course Goals
Course Goals The course is designed to further the students’ ability to think about fundamental political issues. Students who seriously engage the texts may be rewarded by being:

a) perplexed by the profound differences in the way people think, speak, write and act about questions such as What is human nature? What are the standards of good and evil, right and wrong, justice and injustice, legitimate and illegitimate authority? Are these standards universal or conventional?;
b) encouraged to enter debates about these fundamental political issues;
c) better prepared to think, speak, write and act in regard to these issues;
d) better prepared to increase their earning potential;
e) better prepared to find and maintain a mate;
f) better prepared to contribute to the well being of society;
g) better prepared to establish a record appropriate for securing a position in the world to               come.

Note on Web page and technical problems
If you need technical assistance please call IT Services at 260-481-6030 or Barb Blauvelt at 260-481-6686.

Exams
Each exam will count for 30% of the final grade. The midterm and final exams will consist of essay and other questions that will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge of political thought.

Reviews for the exam are available on the course web page. Also available on the course website are outlines and summaries for a number of the earlier readings. These are intended to assist you in beginning to read the texts.

You may not use your books or notes when taking the test. Using books and notes constitutes cheating. Evidence of cheating is not difficult to find and may lead to flunking the test and the course.

Exams must be taken at the IPFW Office of Testing Services or at a pre-arranged testing center on your local campus:

Students should make individual appointments with the Office of Testing services. Call 260-481-6600 to schedule an appointment to take the test. See the Testing Services website: http://www.ipfw.edu/accs/testing/distance.shtml

After you have completed an exam, please notify me by email at bartky@ipfw.edu.

NOTE: The Midterm Exam is scheduled for 6/9. You may take the Midterm as early as 6/5 or as late as 6/12. The Final Exam is scheduled for 6/25. You may take the final exam as early as 6/23 but you must take it by 6/25.

Midterm Exam:
6/9 -Scheduled date
6/5   -Earliest date
6/12 -Latest date

Final Exam:
6/25 -Scheduled date
6/23 -Earliest date
6/25 -Latest date

Papers
Two 5 page double spaced papers. Each paper will count for 20% of the final grade. The paper topics are available on the course Website.
Paper # 1 due: 6/3.
Paper # 2 due: 6/17

Papers must be submitted electronically through my email at bartky@ipfw.edu . Papers are entered in a data bank that cross checks all the papers submitted in order to determine any cases of plagiarism. Use of the internet is permitted, but be aware that copying anything from the internet will be treated the same as if you have copied from another student’s paper, essay, journal article, book or any other source. Copying even a phrase or sentence constitutes plagiarism and will be treated as such.

Note on Academic Honesty
Students should familiarize themselves with and abide by the IPFW Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.

Students who violate the Code through cheating, plagiarism or other misconduct, or who assist others in engaging in prohibited conduct, will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action.

Reading Assignments and Lectures
Your understanding of the lectures and performance on the tests will benefit by your having read the materials prior to viewing the lectures (whether on DVD, CD ROM, Video tape, or Cable TV access).

It is especially important that you are able to integrate the reading material with the course lectures.

Course Reading and Lecture Schedule (Readings are found in the Morgan, ed. text)
The reading schedule is based on the standard three day a week summer schedule. The schedule is meant to provide a guide assisting you in allocating the time necessary to complete the course. Note that each day on the summer schedule is equivalent to two class days during the regular semester. It is recommended that you plan on viewing two lectures for each scheduled class day of the summer session. You may find it more convenient to view one lecture and reading assignment each day. In any case be certain to complete all the readings and view the lectures prior to taking the midterm and final exams.

The Strauss/Cropsey reader provides excellent essays on many of the theorists on our reading list. These essays serve as a recommended supplement to the assigned readings

1. Introduction: What is Political Philosophy?
May 19

2. Plato:
Apology
May 19- Complete; pp. 46-63

See outline of Plato’s Apology on course Website

Republic

May 20, 22- Bk.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10; pp. 75-169, 220-251

See outline of Plato’s Republic on course Website

3. Aristotle:
Nicomachean Ethics
May 27- Bk. 1, 2, 6, Bk. 9, 10; pp. 255-273, 307-315, 339-360

See outline of Aristotle’ Ethics on course Website

Politics

May 29- Bk. 1, 2, 3, 4, 7; pp. 361-412, 412-416

See outline of Aristotle’s Politics on course Website

4. Epicurus & the turn against political philosophy
June 2 -Selections; pp. 417-424

5. Hebrew Scriptures
June 3- Genesis: Ch. 1-19, 35; Leviticus: Ch. 18-19; Exodus: Ch. 20-24, 32-34; Deuteronomy: Ch. 6:18-18

6. Augustine
City of God
June 5- Bk. 19; pp. 440-454

June 9- Midterm Exam

7. Aquinas
June 9 -On Kingship
          -& Selections from Summa Theologica pp. 455-476

8. Machiavelli
The Prince
June 10- pp. 482-526

9. Hobbes
Leviathan
June 12 -Part1 Ch. 1-5, 11, 13-16; pp. 551-566, 582-585, 591-606
           - Part 2 Ch. 17-18, 20-24, 26, 30-31 Review & Conclusion; pp. 606-612, 617-636,                    
             639-649, 664-681

10. Locke
Second Treatise
June 16- Preface, Ch. 1-19; pp. 684-749

11. Rousseau
Social Contract
June 17- Bk.1, Bk. 2; pp. 831-853
          Bk. 3, Ch.1-3, 8-18, Bk. 4 Ch. 1, 8, 9 pp. 853-857, 863-873, 873-874,885-890

12. Hume
Treatise of Human Nature
June 19- Selections pp. 752-774  

13. Marx
June 23 - On the Jewish Question pp. 1093-1108
            - Communist Manifesto pp. 1109-1128

14. Final Lecture-What is Political Philosophy?

June 24

Final Exam June 23– June 25