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Political Science 160 |
Spring 1999 |
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Professor: Laurence Cooper |
Office: Willis 416 |
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Phone: x4111 (Office) |
Email: lcooper@carleton.edu |
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I. Purpose and Scope
In this course we shall examine the development of Western political thought through a careful reading of several classic texts. Since the works to be read are often difficult and subtle, you should be sure to give them the time and attention they require. It is very important that you come to class prepared to discuss the assigned material.
For additional help with the reading, you may consult the appropriate chapters of History of Political Philosophy, edited by Strauss and Cropsey, which has been placed on closed reserve in the library. I encourage you, however, to read the texts carefully on your own before consulting any secondary works.
II. Course Requirements
In addition to careful and timely reading of the assigned texts, there will be two papers (each counting for 25% of your grade) and a final exam (40%). Class participation will count for 10%. I may also give a pop quiz from time to time, especially if students do not seem to have completed the reading assignments in a timely fashion.
III. Academic Honesty
Strict standards of academic integrity will be upheld in this class. Your signature on a test or assignment means that you have neither given nor received unauthorized aid. Students who are found to have violated this standard can expect severe sanctions.
IV. Assigned Texts
The following books are available for purchase at the bookstore:
Plato and Aristophanes, Four Texts on Socrates (trans. West and West)
Aristotle, The Politics (trans. Lord)
Machiavelli, The Prince (trans. Mansfield)
Hobbes, Leviathan
Locke, Second Treatise of Government
Rousseau, The First and Second Discourses (trans. Masters)
Tocqueville, Democracy in America (ed. Heffner)
V. Class Schedule
March 29: Introduction
March 31: Plato, Apology of Socrates (in Four Texts on Socrates)
April 2: Aristophanes, Clouds (in Four Texts on Socrates)
5: Plato, Crito (in Four Texts on Socrates)
7: Aristotle, Book I, Chapters 1-2
9: Aristotle, Book I, remainder
12: Aristotle, Book II, Chapters 1-5 and 7-8
14: Aristotle, Book III
16: Aristotle, Book IV, Chapters 1-12, Book V, Chapters 1-4 and 8-9, and Book VI, Chapter 2
19: Aristotle, Book VII
21: Machiavelli, Letter of Dedication, Chapters 1-15 and the Letter to Vettori (at the end)
FIRST PAPER DUE THURSDAY, APRIL 22, 5:00 PM
23: Machiavelli, Chapters 16-26
26: Hobbes, Introduction (his intro., not the editor's) and Chapters 11 and 13-15
28: Hobbes, Chapters 17-18, 19 (first 7 paragraphs only), 21 and 29
30: Review previous reading
May 3: Mid-term break
5: Locke, Chapters 1-5
7: Locke, Chapters 6-8
10: Locke, Chapters 9-11, 18-19 and the American Declaration of Independence
12: Rousseau, First Discourse
SECOND PAPER DUE THURSDAY, MAY 13, 5:00 PM
14: Rousseau, Second Discourse, Dedication to Geneva, Preface, and Part One
17: Rousseau, Second Discourse, Part Two
19: Review Second Discourse
21: No class
24: Tocqueville, pp. 26-38, 49-58 and 112-28
26: Tocqueville, pp. 189-98, 143-58, 209-20 and 256-61
28: Tocqueville, pp. 289-314
31: Review previous reading
June 2: Conclusion
FINAL EXAM: TUESDAY, JUNE 8, 2:00 PM