PROSEMINAR: POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY



SYC 501E Political PhilosophySpring 2021-2022 Monday 9:30-12:30 FEB ITB Seminar Hall Office: # B4-320 Dept. Humanities and Social Sciences, FEBOffice Hours: Wednesday 09.00-15.00 Phone: 285 7277, email: kocan@itu.edu.trCourse DescriptionThe course provides a comprehensive survey and analysis of the greatest works of political philosophy in the Western tradition. Its mode of instruction will be based on both lecture and class discussion. It focuses on the explication, analysis and comparison of key texts. It explores the meaning of some basic theoretical concepts of politics and it traces how those concepts of politics have been understood in philosophical and historical contexts. It also investigates some questions central to political philosophy using the ideas and arguments of political thinkers. Typical questions are: Who are we and how shall we live together? What are nature of justice, freedom, and equality? What is meant by the term “state”? What is the justification for an authority of state? What should the relationship be between the individual and the state? How should we envision the relationship between ethics and politics? What is a just society? What constitutes a good citizen? What is the relationship between order, authority and freedom? What rules should govern the political community?Course Objectives:Upon successful completion of this course students will:Able to describe and identify historical philosophical theories that contributed development modern political models.able to generate and describe the ideals "good society" drawing from the thoughts of political philosophersdemonstrate knowledge of key political philosophers and concepts over timeable to read and interpret carefully, write and speak clearly, and think critically and analytically about political problemsgain a critical understanding of some of the most important issues and theoriesable to think more critically and reflectively about the nature of political conceptsunderstand the changing meaning, nature and scope of political conceptsCourse Requirements Attendance:Both attendance in class and participation in class are required. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. It is the responsibility of student to be sure that his/her attendance has been recorded. You are allowed maximum two unexcused absences; but, please note that every absence will have a negative effect on your grade. Students with three or more unexcused absences will receive a grade of FF (FAIL). Additionally, if you have a documented emergency or illness you must provide me with documentation. This will result in an ‘excused’ absence.? In the case of illness or an emergency, official documentation must be provided to grant an excused absence. However, in the case of chronic illness or personal emergencies, which require prolonged or frequent absences, the student should withdraw from this course and repeat it when circumstances allow for the fulfillment of course requirements. Participation: Students should come to class prepared to discuss the assigned readings such that class time is not wasted, and we can engage a discussion of the reading material together. Class discussion will be conducted intermittently at appropriate breaks during the lectures and presentations. Each student is expected to contribute to the discussions, and thus each student is expected to be prepared to ask questions and discuss main ideas of the assigned readings on each day, and whether or not the student is presenting that day. In this context, the role of instructor is to catalyze the discussions, try to explain the political themes to students, and help them see specific relations between what they are reading and their own rising research interests.Oral Presentation: Students will also be responsible for doing presentations of the readings at least one time during the semester. Presentations should briefly summarize and analyze conceptual positions and main philosophical arguments of the assigned readings. Nevertheless, the main part of presentation will be critical discussion of the viewpoints raised by the assigned readingsBook Review:The book review must be no longer than 2000 words, double-spaced with a 12-point font, and conform to APA style. The choice of book for your book review should not be in required reading list of the course. The book review provides the opportunity to examine and explicate a philosopher’s specific work. It contains combination of both summary and analysis of the text. It should not consult any sources other than the text student is reviewing. Here is suggested structure of book review:First part should provide a brief description of content and purpose of the work.Second part identify main thesis and arguments of the work Third part should summarize the major ideas, themes, concepts and arguments of the text.Fourth part should critically evaluate and assess strengths and weaknesses main arguments of the textFinal part should state main political insights that emerge from writings of the textTerm Paper:Each student is required to write a research paper on examining a specific topic area related to political philosophy. Student can tailor the paper to your own research needs; it may address any themes or topics we deal with in class or critical exposition of any other subject that falls under the field of political philosophy. Term paper should be 5000-6000 words long, double-spaced with a 12-point font, and conform to APA style. The paper must consult philosophical journals and books for scholarly writing relevant to research subject. Plagiarism in ITU, as in many educational institutions around the world, is treated as a serious academic offence. According to the definition given in the Oxford Compact English Dictionary, plagiarism is "to take the work or idea of someone else and pass it off as one’s own” To copy sentences, phrases or even expression of an idea without acknowledgement of the source is plagiarism; to paraphrase without reference and copying other students' work is the same plagiarism. Therefore, no student shall, with intent to deceive, submit the words, sentences, phrases of another person as his or her own in any assignment submitted in the course.Grading:Student performance will be evaluated as followsTerm Paper 50%Presentation 15%Review 20%Class Participation 15%Main Texts:Readings will be drawn from Classics of Moral and Political Theory (New York: Hackett Publishing Company 2006) edited by Morgan, Michael L. and Political Philosophy: the Essential Texts (Oxford, 2005), edited by Steven M. Cahn, in addition to selections of primary texts reproduced in a course packet.The following are also useful introductions to Political PhilosophyBoucher D. and Paul Kelly (2009) Political Thinkers from Socrates to the Present. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Boucher, D. & P. Kelly eds, (1991) The Social Contract from Hobbes to Rawls Routledge.Brown, A. (1986) Modern Political Philosophy Penguin USAChristman, J. (2002) Social and Political Philosophy: A Contemporary Introduction RoutledgeFeinberg, S. (1973) Social Philosophy PearsonGeuss, R. (2010) History and Illusion in Politics Cambridge University PressCoole, Diana (1993) Women in Political Theory Harvester-Wheatsheaf, 2nd ed. Dryzek, J., Honig, B. and Phillips, A. (eds.) (2006) The Oxford Handbook of Political Theory Oxford, Oxford University Press.Edwards, A. & J. Townsend eds, (2002) Interpreting Modern Political Philosophy. From Machiavelli to Marx Palgrave. Edwards, Jason (2007) The Radical Attitude and Modern Political Theory Palgrave.Farrelly, C. (2004) Introduction to Contemporary Political Theory London: Sage. Gaus, G. (2000) Political Concepts and Political Theories Boulder: Westview Press. Gaus, G. and Kukathas, C. (eds.) (2004) Handbook of Political Theory London: Sage. Goodin, R. and Pettit, P.(eds.) (1993) A Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy Blackwell, Oxford. Hampsher-Monk, Iain (1992) A History of Modern Political Thought London: Blackwell. Hampton, J. (1997) Political Philosophy Westview Press.Knowles, D. (2001) Political Philosophy McGill-Queen's University PressKymlicka, W. (2001) Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction Oxford: Oxford University Press. Matravers et al., D. (2001) Reading Political Philosophy. Machiavelli to Mill Routledge McClelland, J.S. (1996) A History of Western Political Thought. London: RoutledgeMcKinnon, C. 2008 Issues in Political Theory Oxford: Oxford University Press Miller, D. (2002) Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University PressRobinson, D. (2003) Introducing Political Philosophy. Icon Books.Swift, A. (2001) Political Philosophy: A Beginners' Guide for Students and Politicians Oxford: Polity.Swift, A. (2006) Political Philosophy: a beginners' guide for students and politicians Cambridge, Polity.White, M. (2003) Political Philosophy: A Short Introduction Oneworld PublicationsWolff, J. (2006) An Introduction to Political Philosophy. Oxford University Press,Wolff, J. (2006) Introduction to Political Philosophy (Oxford, Oxford University Press)Wolin, Sheldon (2004) Politics and Vision 2nd edition, New York: Princeton UPAnthologies of Contemporary Political PhilosophyForsyth M. & M. Keens-Soper (eds) (1988) A Guide to the Political Classics: Plato to Rousseau. Short introductions; Oxford University PressGermino Modern Western Political Thought: Machiavelli to Marx.Goodin, R.E. and Pettit, P. eds. (1995) A Companion to Contemporary Political PhilosophyGoodin, R.E. and Pettit, P. eds. (1997) Contemporary Political Philosophy: An AnthologyHampsher-Monk, I. (1992) A History of Modern Political Thought: Major Political Thinkers from Hobbes to Marx, Oxford, Blackwell.Levine, A. (2001) Engaging Political Philosophy: From Hobbes to Rawls Wiley-Blackwell?McClellan, J.S. (1988) A History of Western Political Thought. RoutledgePlamenatz, J.P. (1963) Man and Society: A Critical Examination of Some Important Social and Political Theories from Machiavelli to Marx. London: Longmans.Rauch L. (1981) The Political Animal: Studies in Political Philosophy from Machiavelli to Marx. University of Massachusetts PressRedhead, B. ed. (1984) Plato to Nato: Studies in Political Thought, 2nd ed. British Broadcasting Corp.Sabine G.H. (2018) A History of Political Theory Oxford and IBH PublishersSchneewind, J. B. (1997) The Invention of Autonomy: A History of Modern Moral Philosophy Cambridge University PressSimon, R.L. ed. (2002) The Blackwell Guide to Social and Political Philosophy. Blackwell Publ.Tannenbaum, D. and Schultz, D. (1998) Inventors of Ideas: Introduction to Western Political Philosophy. Palgrave MacmillanWill, Patrick Riley (1999) Will and Political Legitimacy. A Critical Exposition of Social Contract Theory in Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant and Hegel. Universe.Background ResourcesThe Cambridge Companion series A Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy (Blackwell).Encyclopedia of Political Theory (3 vol., Sage).The Oxford Classical Dictionary.Encyclopedia of Political TheoryThe Oxford Handbook of Political TheoryRoutledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Edward Craig (Editor)The Shorter Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy by Edward CraigThe Wiley Encyclopedia of Political Thought by Michael T. GibbonsCourse MechanicsWeek OneIntroduction: What is Political Philosophy? JAMES TULLY (2002) "Political Philosophy as a Critical Activity", Political Theory, 30, 4 pp. 533-556.Week Two PLATO: Euthyphro; Apology; Crito; Phaedo; Republic Week ThreeARISTOTLE: Nicomachean Ethics. Politics (Bk. I; Bk. II, 1-5, 9; Bk. III; Bk. IV, 1-15, 16; Bk. VII, 1-3, 13) Week FourEPICURUS: Letter to Menoeceus Principal Doctrines CICERO:On the RepublicOn the LawsWeek FiveAUGUSTINE:The City of GodAQUINAS: On Kingship (I, 1)Summa Theologica (I–II, Q.90. 1–4, Q.91. 1–4, Q.94. 1–6, Q.95. 1–4, Q.96. 1–6;II–II, Q.40. 1, Q.42. 2, Q.66. 1–2) 463Disputed Questions on Virtue (On the Virtues in General, 1–9, 13;On the Cardinal Virtues, 1–2)Week SixNICCOLO MACHIAVELLI I: Letter to Francesco Vettori; The Prince;” Discourses (Bk. I. 1-2; Bk. II, 1-2, 20, 29; Bk. III, 1, 9).Week SevenHOBBES: Leviathan (Introduction, Pt. 1-2, Review and Conclusion).BARUCH SPINOZA Theologico-Political TreatiseChapter. XVI: Of the Foundations of a State; Of the Natural and Civil Rights of Individuals; and Of the Rights of the Sovereign Power Chapter XX: That in a Free State Every Man May Think What He Likes, and Say What He ThinksWeek EightJOHN LOCKE Second Treatise of GovernmentLetter Concerning TolerationALEXANDER HAMILTON and JAMES MADISON The Federalist PapersABRAHAM LINCOLN Gettysburg AddressSecond Inaugural AddressReview paper due May 17, 2021Week NineDAVID HUME A Treatise of Human NatureOf Parties in GeneralOf the Original ContractADAM SMITH The Theory of Moral SentimentsThe Wealth of NationsWeek TenJEAN-JACQUES ROUSSEAU Discourse on the Origin of InequalityOf the Social ContractWeek Eleven IMMANUEL KANT Groundwork for the Metaphysics of MoralsTo Perpetual PeaceWeek TwelveJEREMY BENTHAM Principles of LegislationJOHN STUART MILL UtilitarianismOn LibertyThe Subjection of Women Week ThirteenKARL MARX and FRIEDRICH ENGELS Alienated Labor On the Jewish QuestionEconomic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844The German IdeologyManifesto of the Communist PartyA Contribution to the Critique of Political EconomySocialism: Utopian and ScientificWeek FourteenFRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE On the Advantage and Disadvantage of History for Life On the Genealogy of Morality MAX WEBER Politics as a VocationTerm paper due ................
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