Fordham University



righttop0lefttop00Introduction to Political Philosophy Nicholas TampioFall 2019Fordham University POSC 2401 R01Class: MR Dealy 112, TF 8:30-9:45 amOffice: Faber 665, T 2-4 pmEmail: tampio@fordham.eduPlato and AristotleMencius and the King of TengWhat is the future of the relationship between China and the West? What can be done to create a future in which both can work together to create a better world? How deep are the differences between Chinese and Western ways of political thinking? These are the questions of this course. Initially, we consider developments in China that may concern the West, including President Xi Jinping’s revision of the Constitution, the mandatory use for Communist party members and students of the Xuexi Quiangguo app, China’s extradition law for Hong Kong, and the Belt and Road Initiative. Then, we consider the arguments that the pre-Qin Chinese masters should and should not be called philosophers. We will also consider the political stakes of determining whether or not to call a non-Western intellectual tradition philosophy. The first unit of the course in on classical Greek political philosophy. We will read excerpts of Thucycides’s History of the Pelopponesian War, Plato’s Apology and Republic, and Aristotle’s Politics. The second unit of the course in on classical Chinese political thought, including work by Confucius, Mencius, Xunzi, and Han Feizi. The third unit of the course is on modern European political thought, including work by Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Wollstonecraft, and JS Mill. The final unit of the course stages a debate between Daniel Bell and Sor-hoon Tan on Confucianism, philosophy, democracy, and meritocracy. Course learning objectives:By the end of the semester, students should be able to:Understand important authors, books, and arguments in classical Chinese political thought.Understand important authors, books, and arguments in classical and modern Western political thought. Stage a conversation between Chinese and Western political thinkers between issues such as justice, law, ethics, and philosophy. Connect the history of ideas with contemporary political debates. Required Texts Princeton Readings in Political Thought: Essential Texts from Plato to Populism--Second Edition (Princeton) ISBN: 9780691159973Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy?2nd Edition (Hackett) ISBN:?0872207803Course Requirements (1) Class presentation. Students will present a paper on what a single or group of thinkers would say about a current event, e.g. what Mencius would say about the Belt and Road Initiative or what Machiavelli would say about whether the US should coordinate war games with South Korea. The paper should be about 2000 words, include a handful of academic secondary sources about the author and the topic, and students should present a Powerpoint. (2) Midterm. I will distribute six questions a week ahead of the midterm and randomnly select two on the day of the exam. Answer both in one hour. You may study in groups, but the exam is closed-book. (3) Final. Same format as midterm. (4) Research paper. Each student will write a 3000 word essay comparing and contrasting a European and a Chinese thinker on a topic such as what is the proper role of women in society, whether politicians are bound by the rules of morality, or should society protect freedom of speech. Cite at least 3 academic sources on each author and a few sources about the topic. The paper should have a title that indicates your topic and thesis, a 3 paragraph introduction explaining why your research question is politically timely and philosophy interesting and providing a map of the argument, sections with subheadings on each thinker, and a conclusion in which you argue what you think. By November 22, please send me your research question, two authors, and bibliography. (5) Class participation. Students should attend every class having read the material and ready to talk. Buy the books and bring the one with the readings to class. Grade Distribution Midterm20Final 30Presentation 10Presentation paper10Research paper20Class participation10To understand university policies on academic rights and responsibilities, sexual harassment, services for students with disabilities, and other important topics, please see the undergraduate faculty handbook. Class scheduleThe Questions of the Course August 30 – China: friend or foe? Walk through plan of the courseStudents will break into groups and give short presentations on whether the US should be concerned about:President Xi Jinping’s revision of the Constitutionthe mandatory use for Communist party members and students of the Xuexi Quiangguo (“Only by studying can we make China strong!) appChina’s plans for Hong Kong, China’s plans for Taiwan, and the Belt and Road Initiative. September 3 – Chinese philosophy or Chinese thought? Bryan Van Norden, “If Philosophy Won’t Diversify, Let’s Call It What It Really Is”,?New York Times Online,?May 11, 2016.Nicholas Tampio, “Not all things wise and good are philosophy” Aeon, September 13, 2016. Carine Defoort, “Is there such a thing as Chinese philosophy? Arguments of an implicit debate,” Philosophy East & West 51(3), 2001. Classical European ThoughtSeptember 6 – The Greek idealThucycides, Pericles Funeral Oration, Princeton Readings (hereafter PR), 11-15September 10 – The seeds of realismThucydides, The Melian Dialogue, PR, 15-20September 13 – The philosophical lifePlato, The Apology, PR 21-37September 17 – The first meritocrat and critic of democracy Plato, The Republic, PR 85-95September 20 – Praise of the political lifeAristotle, The Politics, PR 96-99September 24 – Student presentations Classical Chinese Thought: Confucianism and Legalism September 27 – Confucius on his time “The Analects,” Van Norden, Readings in Classical Chinese Philosophy (hereafter RCCP), 1-59October 1 – Confucius on the ideal stateOctober 4 – Mencius on human natureRCCP, 115-161October 8 – Mencius on the genuine kingOctober 11 – Midterm October 15 – Xunzi on human natureRCCP, 255-311October 18 – Xunzi’s advice to a lordOctober 22 – Han Feizi on the two handlesRCCP, 311-362October 25 – Han Feizi on the power of positionOctober 29 – Student presentations Modern European Thought * Read entire passage by author for the class November 1 – Politics and glory: MachiavelliNovember 5 – Politics and safety: Hobbes November 8 – Politics and property: Locke November 12 – Politics and equality: RousseauNovember 15 – Politics and (gender) equality: WollstonecraftNovember 19 – Politics and liberty: MillNovember 22 – Student presentationsContemporary Debates about China and the WestNovember 26 – Daniel Bell on philosophy and meritocracy“A Critique of Critical Thinking” “Reconciling Socialism and Confucianism? Reviving Tradition in China”December 3 – Sor Hoon-Tan on philosophy and democracy “Three corners for one: Creativity and tradition in the analects”“Beyond Elitism: A Community Ideal for a Modern East Asia”December 6 – Student presentations Final exam - Tuesday, December 17, 9:30 am ................
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