Political Philosophies of Work

Political Science 396
 
Spring 2001

Prospectus

Is work inherently political or is it the farthest thing from politics? What is "good" work, if such work exists at all? Is work simply instrumental, a means to other things (solidarity, justice, wealth)? Does it even have a value or meaning in itself? What is the value or place of work in a human being's life? This course will examine answers to these questions in the works of political theorists including Aristotle, Marx, Thoreau, and Arendt.

Prerequisites: At least one completed upper level course in political science, sociology, or philosophy or the consent of the instructor.

Books

The following books are available through the bookstore.

Arendt, The Human Condition
Lane, The Market Experience
Jones, Jesus as CEO
Wuthnow, The Poor Richard's Principle
Marx, Selected Writings
Thoreau, Walden

Copies of these are also on reserve. Other materials may be found on reserve or through the electronic databases of the library.

Requirements

Constructive class participation. 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 final examination. Written assignments include the final exam, a mid-term paper, and various short homework assignments.

Reading List

Week I

1. Wuthnow, Poor Richard's Principle, pp. 238-329

2. Wuthnow, pp. 1-82

Week II

1. Wuthnow, pp. 84-237.

2. Aristotle, The Politics, Book I, pp. 1-38 (Barker Edition)

Week III

1. Arendt, The Human Condition, pp. 1-79.

2. Locke, Second Treatise, Chapters 1-7, pp. 269-330 (Cambridge Edition);

Gopal Sreenivisan, "Introduction" (3-18) and "Mixing and Making" (59-92) in Limits of Lockean Rights in Property.

Week IV

1. Thoreau, Walden, pp. 1-64

Walker, "Thoreau's Alternative Economics: Work, Liberty and Democratic Cultivation," American Political Science Review, pp. 845-856.(Available through JSTOR)

2. Marx, Selected Writings, 26-28; 83-104; 171.

Week V

1. Marx, pp. 379-424

2. Weber, "Politics as a Vocation" and "Science as a Vocation" Selected Writings, pp. 77-156.

Week VI

1. Marx, pp. 452-526 (Paper Due)

2. Marx, pp. 526-562.

Week VII

1. Arendt, The Human Condition, pp. 79-174

2. Arendt, pp. 175-242

Week VIII

1. Arendt, pp. 243-327

2. Lane, The Market Experience, pp. 1-96

Spring Break

Week IX

1. Lane, pp. 96-204

2. Lane, pp. 205-337.

Week X

1. Lane, pp. 337-423.

2. Exam

Week XI

1. Hochschild, The Managed Heart, pp. 1-86, 201-242

2. Hochschild, pp. 89-200.

Week XII

1. Jones, Jesus as CEO, TBA

2. Buskirk, Machiavelli and Modern Management, pp. TBA

3. Wuthnow, pp. 292-329

Week XIII

1. Buskirk, Machiavelli and Modern Management, TBA

2. Jones, Jesus as CEO, TBA

3. Wuthnow, pp. 329-375.