“Social Contracts & the 99%” Course Syllabus
Semester: Spring 2013
Course Number Lower Division: 98
Course Control Number 98: 45506
Department: Interdisciplinary Studies Field
Section: 001
Units: 1 (P/NP)
Meeting Hours: W 1-2 pm
Meeting Location: 237 Cory Hall
Class Limit: 15 students
Facilitator: Pietro G. Poggi
E-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: By Appointment
Office Location: TBD
Course Number Upper Division: 198
Course Control Number 198: 45542
Pre-requisites: None.
Background: The Social Contract is at the heart of the “Social Justice,” ”Occupy,” and
“Indignato” movements around the globe. Historically, a Social Contract has been a
theoretic relationship between the governed and the government—what obligation
people have to government and society; and what obligation, if any, government and
society have to the people.
Prior to the advent of the notion of Democracy by, for, and of autonomous equals, the
idea of a Social Contract had generally been predicated upon the belief that the natural
human condition was for the 99% to be ruled and essentially owned by the 1%—and
discussion of a Social Contract was largely confined to rationales for the legitimacy of
1% rule. The theory of natural rights began to change such thinking.
The populace of a true Democracy is a self-governing demos collaboratively deciding
the sort of society it wishes to inhabit, rather than being engaged in a perpetual battle to
wrest concessions from an unwilling and omnipotent ruling 1%. The world’s first written
promise of equality for all citizens and self-government by collaboration is within the
initial three sentences of the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.
There are two fundamental types of Social Contracts—defining permissible conduct and
justice; and defining basic economic justice. In the United States, the Preamble has no
force of law, and there has never been a written—or oral—economic “basic bargain.”
Overview: This course provides an introduction to the interesting and crucial concept of
the Social Contract that is an essential philosophical underpinning of coursework in
such disciplines as Interdisciplinary Studies Field, Public Policy, Political Science, and
Philosophy. The notion of the Social Contract is also fundamental to participatory
democracy and study of the United States Constitution. This course seeks to furnish an
intimate seminar-like setting in which students are encouraged to critically analyze the
concepts advanced in the course readings and lectures, and then feel free to safely
explore and discuss their thoughts and feelings regarding such ideas.
1 Learning Objectives: The goals of this course are that students become familiar with
the concept of the Social Contract and be able to knowledgeably discuss it in any
academic or social setting; that students improve their critical thinking and essay writing
skills; and that students feel more at ease in all classroom discussions at Berkeley.
Structure: After the first five meetings, the most influential Social Contract readings
shall be presented chronologically: Platón (c.116 BCE) to Roosevelt (1941/1944 CE).
Requirements: Attendance in one 1-hour lecture/discussion per week; 1.5 hours of
reading and discussion preparation per week; and completion of two 4-6-page papers.
Grading: Class attendance—25%; discussion participation—45%; 4-6-page Mid-Term
Essay—15%; 4-6 page Final Essay—15%. As with all De-Cal courses, this course is
Pass/No Pass. There can be no objective measure of participation and it is therefore a
subjective judgment of the facilitator. Prompts for essays shall be provided
approximately 2-4 weeks prior to the due date. If a student is in danger of failing,
opportunities for extra-credit shall be available and the option to re-write essays for a
higher grade shall also be available.
Policies: Because the success of this class depends in large part upon attendance and
class participation, and a passing grade is not possible without both, there can be no
excuses for missing classes except for dire emergencies or extenuating circumstances.
Students who feel unable to attend a meeting must e-mail the facilitator ASAP with
notification and an explanation. Essays are to be submitted via e-mail in Word.docx
format. No extensions or incompletes for essays—a half grade will be lost for each day
an essay is late. Class meetings shall be laptop and mobile phone free. Eating during
class is not permitted because it is disturbing to others; however, drinks—especially
water—are permitted and, in fact, encouraged; as is the conscientious depositing of
bottles and containers in trash or recycling receptacles at the end of meetings.
Plagiarism: Per UC policy, plagiarism is expressly forbidden and will result in a “0” with
no possibility of extra credit or re-write for a higher grader. No exceptions.
Readings: All course readings shall be posted online on b-Space. There are no
required textbook purchases. However, students are advised and encouraged to bring a
printed copy of the posted readings to class for reference.
Additional materials or equipment: No supplies are required for this course.
Notebooks, writing implements, and the printed readings are optional.
Special Needs: Although the Disabled Students Program (DSP) provides facilitators
with official notification about disability accommodations, the facilitator would greatly
appreciate being informed of status and needs ASAP.
Evaluation/Feedback: Students shall have the opportunity to provide the facilitator with
anonymous feedback and/or evaluation mid-way through the term and at the end of the
term via department evaluation forms.
Classmate Contact Information: The facilitator will compile a list of student e-mail
contact information for all those enrolled, and will distribute it to the class to enable
students to contact one another.
2 “Social Contracts & the 99%”
Weekly Schedule:
Jan. 23: Introduction/Preamble to the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Jan. 30: Human Needs & Human Givens & Human Eusociality (2003-2012)
Feb. 06: Michael J. Sandel, Justice (2009); Chapter 6—John Rawles (1971)
Feb. 08: Deadline to drop without fee.
Feb. 13: U.S. Bill of Rights (1787); English Bill of Rights (1689)
Feb. 20: Raymond Williams, The Country and the City (1973)
Feb. 22: Deadline to drop.
Feb. 27: Platón/Sokrátes, Critón (c.116 BCE)
Mar. 06: England—Charter of Liberties (1100); Magna Carta (1215)—Mid-term Evaluations
Mar. 08: 4-6-page paper due via e-mail
Mar. 13: Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan (1651)
Mar. 20: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, du Contract Social (1762); On Human Nature (1754)
[Week of Mar. 25: No Classes, “spring Break”—Have Fun!]
Apr. 03: John Locke, Second Treatise on Government (1689)
Apr. 10: Franklin D. Roosevelt, Four Freedoms (1941); Economic Bill of Rights (1944);
Apr. 17: 28th Amendment proposal (2012).
Apr. 24: Professor Renate Holub Guest Lecture/Discussion: The Commons.
Final Evaluations
May 01: Concluding meeting, and questions class may have about paper or course.
May. 10: 4-6-page paper due via e-mail
Thank You!
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