PS 206 - Introduction to Political Theory
Graduate Teaching Assistant: Meghann Rhynard-Geil [email protected]
Brent S. Steel: Professor and Director, Graduate Program in Public Policy
[email protected]
Successful completion of this course partially fulfills OSU's Baccalaureate Core:
http://oregonstate.edu/ap/curriculum/baccore.html
OSU catalog course description, including pre-requisites/co-requisites:
Introduction to political philosophy. Major ideas, concepts and issues presented by selected political
thinkers. (H) (Bacc Core Course) This course may be subject to Enforced Prerequisites that restrict
registration into the course.
COURSE ATTRIBUTES
Core, Pers, West Culture; Liberal Arts Humanities Core
COURSE CONTENT
This course is an introduction to the classical texts and themes of political thought. We will be reading
selections from the canonical works of Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Rousseau and Mill. These texts have
provoked thought across many centuries on a wide range of topics- the question of justice, the organization
of communities, the exercise and regulation of power, the rights of citizens, the meaning of liberty. We will
also be reaching outside the Western canon to explore the works of original thinkers whose writings have
deeply influenced the politics of our times. We will also look at the issue of violence as a political response
(e.g., the psychology of violence as laid out by the anarchist Emma Goldman). We will examine the theory
of non-violence created and practiced by both Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King. We will also
explore significant works of political theory in the American tradition with key selections from the
Federalist papers, and Malcolm X.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will be able to…
>describe and contrast major eras in the development of political theory.
>identify and explain the role of philosophy and ideology in politics argumentation.
>identify, describe, ask questions concerning, and critically discuss the political theories articulated and
defended by Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, J.S. Mill, John Rawls, Emma Goldman,
Mahatma Ghandi, Martin Luther King and Malcom X.
>discuss the general historical development of the discipline of political philosophy and selected major
historical figures in philosophy.
>incorporate philosophical positions in written communications.
>outline critically and analyze political philosophy questions.
REQUIRED READINGS
All readings and course materials are available at the course Blackboard website or through external links.
LECTURES
Throughout the quarter we will be supplementing reading materials with on-line lectures from prominent
political philosophers such as:
Open Yale University: http://academicearth.org/courses/introduction-to-political-philosophy
Learn Out Loud's collection of political philosophy podcasts: http://www.learnoutloud.com/
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: [email protected] Tel: 800-667-1465
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/
ASSIGNMENTS
>You are expected to participate in five on-line discussion topics during the quarter using the Blackboard.
[50 points]
>There are four "thinkpieces" assigned, which will have you discuss and analyze course materials. [400
points total]
COURSE POLICIES
1. Advanced notice is required for late assignments. There will be a 5 point daily penalty for late
assignments without notification.
2. Extra credit will not be allowed in this course.
3. All OSU academic regulations will be followed in the course. Academic regulations are available at:
http://oregonstate.edu/admin/stucon/
4. You are expected to do all required reading.
5. Plagiarism and cheating will not be tolerated in this course. Engaging in such behaviors will result in a
failing course grade. You are to do ALL of your own work. Plagiarism is defined as representing (and
using) another person's ideas, writings, and work as one's own. Appropriate citation must be used for all
materials incorporated into you work. Plagiarism will lead to a failing course grade.
6. Proper spelling, grammar, and citation should be used in all assignments. We all make typos, but try to
catch them as best you can.
7. All requests for incompletes must have documentation and be received by Week 8.
ACCOMODATIONS
Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS).
Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member
in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students
who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS
should contact DAS immediately at 541-737-4098.
STUDENT EVALUATION OF TEACHING
We encourage you to engage in the course evaluation process each term. The evaluation form will be
available toward the end of the term, and you will be sent instructions through your ONID account. You
will login to the Student Online Services pages to access the questionnaire. The results are anonymous and
are not tabulated until after the grades are posted.
ESSAY/EXAM EVALUATION CRITERIA
The following criteria will be used for evaluating written assignments and exams:
[Poor; Average; Good; Very Good; Excellent]
>COMMITMENT-did you cover all relevant materials/questions?
>AMBITION-did you take each issue to task?
>ENGAGEMENT-did you make connections between issues?
>CLARITY-was the paper readable and well organized?
>READINGS/COURSE MATERIALS-did you use appropriate reading and other course materials in your
work? [note: cite everything appropriately] You are also strongly encouraged to use additional resources:
see "External Links" at this site.
>COMPARISON-in general, how did your work compare to the rest of the class?
>DIRECTIONS-a "no brainer" here. Did you follow directions?
FINAL GRADE DISTRIBUTION
Letter Grade Percent of points possible:
A [95-100%]
A- [90-94%]
B+ [87-89%]
B [83-86%]
B- [80-82%]
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: [email protected] Tel: 800-667-1465
C+ [77-79%]
C [73-76%]
C- [70-72%]
D+ [67-69%]
D [63-66%]
D- [60-62%]
F [0-59%]
TOPICS AND READINGS
WEEK 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE COURSE- Review course syllabus and introduction; provide an
introduction for yourself in Blackboard Discussion.
Web broadcast: Yale University, What is Political Philosophy? (Lecture 1)
WEEK 2
CLASSICAL FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL THOUGHT-Socrates
Web readings: selected readings from Plato's Apology and Crito.
Web lecture: Yale University, Socratic Citizenship (Lectures 2 & 3).
WEEK 3
CLASSICAL FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - Plato
Web readings: selected readings from Plato's Republic.
Web lecture: Yale University, Plato's Republic (Lectures 4, 5 & 6).
WEEK 4
CLASSICAL FOUNDATIONS OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - Aristotle
Web readings: selected readings from Aristotle's Politics.
Web lecture: Yale University, Aristotle's Politics (Lectures 7, 8 & 9).
WEEK 5
ORIGINS OF THE SOCIAL CONTRACT - Machiavelli
Web readings: selected readings from Machiavelli's The Prince.
Web lecture: Yale University, Machiavelli, The Prince (Lectures 10 & 11).
WEEK 6
ORIGINS OF THE SOCIAL CONTRACT - Hobbes & Rousseau
Web readings: selected readings from Hobbes'; Leviathan and Rousseau's The Social Contract.
Web lecture: Yale University, The Sovereign State - Hobbes (Lectures 12 & 13); Rousseau, Social Contact
(Lectures 18 & 20).
WEEK 7
ORIGINS OF THE SOCIAL CONTRACT ; CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT - Locke
Web readings: selected readings from Locke's Second Treatise.
Web lecture: Yale University, Locke Second Treatise (Lectures 15, 16 & 17).
WEEK 8
LIBERALISM AND RIGHTS - J.S. Mill
Web readings: selected readings from Mill's On Liberty.
Web lecture: Dr. Richard Reeves, Richmond University, J.S. Mill (YouTube); Dr. Phillip Schofield,
University College London, Bentham: Many and Myth (YouTube).
WEEK 9
MARXISM AND THE POLITICS OF ALIENATION - Marx
Web readings: selected readings from Marx's Capital and Communist Manifesto.
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: [email protected] Tel: 800-667-1465
Web lecture: British Broadcasting Corp (YouTube), Karl Marx, In Our Time's Greatest Philosophers Series
(Parts 1 to 5).
WEEK 10
THEORIES OF NON-VIOLENCE AND VIOLENCE
Web readings: selected readings from Mahatma Gandi, Political Writings; Martin Luther King, Letter from
Birmingham Jail; Frantz Fanon, On Violence and Emma Goldman, Psychology of Political Violence.
Web lecture: Martin Luther King, I have a Dream (YouTube); Mahatma Gandi Speech (YouTube); Emma
Goldman, Interview (YouTube).
This course is offered through Oregon State University Extended Campus. For more information, contact:
Web: ecampus.oregonstate.edu
Email: [email protected] Tel: 800-667-1465
Baccalaureate Core Student Learning Outcomes Students taking a course in the Baccalaureate Core Perspectives (Western Culture) category will: 1. Identify significant events, developments, and/or ideas in the Western cultural experience and context. 2. Interpret the influence of philosophical, historical, and/or artistic phenomena in relation to contemporary Western culture. 3. Analyze aspects of Western culture in relation to broader cultural, scientific, or social processes.