Prospectus

This courses introduces you to the central concepts of political thought. These concepts include virtue, community, justice, obligation, law, property, rights, interest, liberty, parties, and the state. Different political theorists define and link these concepts to each other in different ways. We'll be concerned with what these thinkers take to be distinctive about politics, what they understand politics ought to be, and what approaches they recommend for undertaking political life.

Books

The vast majority of readings of this course will be from Aristotle's Politics and Wootton's Modern Political Thought. In addition, the following books on available for sale and on reserve: Schmitt, The Concept of the Political and Kant, Foundations of the Metaphysic of Morals. There will be other materials on reserve especially for the second half of the course either as xeroxes or books.

Expectations

In a large class, participation is difficult. I will ask everyone questions from time to time so be prepared. Please remember that it does not matter to me whether you are 'right' or 'wrong' -- there are plausible differences in interpretation -- but what is important is that you answer shows knowledge of the reading or demonstrates skill in textual analysis. I may on occasion lecture as well as assign a reading for a particular day. Although my lecture will cover aspects of the texts, I will assume that you have read the full text, including elements I have not discussed. These will be on the midterm and final examinations.

Morning classes present certain problems which we might as well address up front. I will take attendance. In a fifty minute class, tardiness is a major interruption, so I expect all of you to be on time. If you are late more than three times I will think much less of your participation. Tardiness is defined by when I complete taking attendance; after that you are late. Further, you are allowed no more than 3 absences from class during the semester, that is, one week of classes. If you are late more than this, I will expect to see documentation, for example, if you are sick, I will expect a note from the health center. Otherwise, I will think very poorly of your participation. Finally, it is your responsibility to come to class prepared to participate. If you doze or fall asleep, please expect that you will be woken with a question put to you.

There will be a quiz in three weeks. The two main written elements of this course are a midterm and final examination. Examinations will test your knowledge of the texts, focusing on definitions of concepts and understanding of key analytic arguments. There will be in class and essay components of the exams.

Contact Information

My office is in Eliot 404. My telephone extension is ext 7346. My email is rejali@reed.edu. I am usually available by email and I will post any changes in readings or announcements to your email account so please check your account regularly. My office hours will be announced next week once my schedule has settled down.

Readings

Week I:
M. Introduction: Aristotle: 1252-1253b discussed
W. Aristotle, Book III: 1-13, 1275a-1285a

Week II:
W: Carl Schmitt, Concept of the Political, pp. 3-79
F: Aristotle Book I ( 1252a-1260b)

Week III:
M: Aristotle: 1285a-1297a
W: Aristotle, 1297a-1308a
F: Aristotle: 1308 a-1317a

Week IV:
M: Aristotle: 1317a-1337a
W: Aristotle, 1337a--1342b, 1261a-1274b
F: Hobbes, "The Leviathan", Introduction & Chapters 1-12

Week V:
M: Hobbes, Chapters, 13-17
W. Hobbes, Book II, Chapters 18-26
F. Hobbes, Book II, Chapters 26-31.

Week VI:
M: Chapters 32, 34, 37, 38, 43, Review and Conclusion
W: Hume, "Of the Original Contract" 387- 396
F: Rousseau, "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality," 413-431

Week VII:
M: Rousseau, "Discourse on the Origin of Inequality," 431-448.
W: Exam
F: Exam

FALL BREAK

Week VIII:
M Locke, "A Letter Concerning Toleration"
W. Pufendorf, On the Duty of Man and Citizen, Book I, Chapters 1-8, pp. 17-68
F. Pufendorf, Book I, Chapters 9- 17, pp. 68-111

Week IX:
M. Locke, "Second Treatise", Chapters 1-7
W. Locke, Chapters 8-15
F. Locke, Chapters 16-19

Week X:
M: Kant, Foundations of the Metaphysic of Morals, pp. 3-63
W: Kant, 63-82
F: Rousseau, Social Contract, Book I

Week XI
M: Rousseau, Social Contract, Book II
W: Rousseau, Book III
F: Rousseau: Book IV

Week XII

Monday, 11/26
Carol Pateman, "Justifying Political Obligation" from The Disorder of Women

Wednesday, 11/28
John Dunn, “Democracy” in Western Political Theory in the Face of the Future, pp. 1-28

Friday, 11/30
Dunn, “Liberalism” and “Nationalism” in Western Political Theory in the Face of the Future, pp. 28-80

Week XIII

Monday, 12/3
Dunn, “Revolution?” in Western Political Theory in the Face of the Future, pp. 80-118

Wednesday, 12/5
Dunn, “Reconceiving the Content and Character of Modern Political Community” in Interpreting Political Responsibility, pp. 193-215.

Monday, 12/10
6-8 pm Final Exam