POLI 390

Fall 2008

POLITICAL THEORY I



Instructor: Dr. Lawrence T. Farley


This course will introduce the student to the history of political ideas. Ideas give meaning to facts and events. We will explore together many of the great political ideas that have shaped the political world of today. We won't be in a hurry. We will take our time to get comfortable with great ideas.

COURSE MATERIALS

Required Readings:

G. Tinder, Political Thinking (6th Ed. ISBN: 0-321-00527-9)

Old Testament: The Book of Job (any good annotated Bible)

Plato, The Republic (Cornford or other annotated translation)

S. Yang, Confucius: A Novel (ISBN-13: 9787507101362 ISBN-10: 7507101363)

N. Machiavelli, The Prince

T. Hobbes, Leviathan

K. Robinson, The Years of Rice and Salt (ISBN-10: 0553109200 ISBN-13: 978-0553109207)

J.S. Mill, Essay on Liberty

Strunk and White, Elements of Style (ISBN: 0-205-30902-X)

The New York Times (daily)

Recommended Readings:

C. Gilman, Herland

A. Huxley, Brave New World

J.S. Mill, On the Subjection of Women

J. Michener, The Source

B.F. Skinner, Beyond Freedom and Dignity

B.F. Skinner, Walden Two

ASSIGNMENTS

Each student will participate in a group research project. For details click on the link in the "Grading" section below.

GRADING

Your final grade will be computed on the following basis:


Seminar Speciality: Each student will "adopt" several of the "big questions" developed in the Tinder book and will be always alert to the need to raise and discuss the questions as we consider the ideas contained in the readings.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Aug 25 - Sept 1
Introduction to Course and Overview; Origins of Empiricism; 100 Word Reaction Papers

Required Readings: Tinder, first half

Sept 2 - 6

The Great Questions

Required Readings: Tinder, second half

Sept 7 - 13

The Great Questions

Required Readings: Book of Job

Sept 14 - 20

Job and his friends

Required Readings: Plato, The Republic, begin

Sept 21 - 27
A dialogue with Socrates

Required Readings: Plato, The Republic, finish

Sett 28 - Oct 4
More dialogue with Socrates

Topics

Required Readings: Yang, Confucius

Oct 5 - 11
 Plato and his critics

Required Readings: none

Oct 12 - 18
Confucianism

Review

Required Readings: Machiavelli, The Prince

Thinkers as Advisors to Rulers

Oct 19 - 25
Mid-term exam

Required Readings: Hobbes, Leviathan

". . .nasty, brutish, and short."

Oct 26 - Nov 1

Required Readings: Robinson, The Years of Rice and Salt

Nov 2 - 8
Political Islam

Required Readings: Mills, On Liberty

Nov 9 - 15
False Opinion has Value

Nov 16 - 22
Review

Required Readings: none



Nov 23 - Dec 5
Review and Final Exam


Simulation exercise on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 from 8 AM to 4 PM.