Social and Political Philosophy (Phil 216-A)
Social and Political Philosophy (Phil 216 A/B)
Spring 2009
Instructor: Dr. Williams
Office: Daniel Building 208
Office Phone: 597-4907
Email: WilliamsNM@wofford.edu
Office Hours: MW 1:30-3:30 or by appt.
Class time/location: MWF 10:30-11:20 or 11:30-12:20/Main 126
Course Description
The course is designed to introduce students to some of the major philosophical works that have influenced Western social and political thought. Although the course has a historical approach, it juxtaposes traditional theories with those who have criticized them from contemporary feminist and multicultural perspectives.* The class will be 50% lecture and 50% discussion.
*Gender Studies Program
In addition to satisfying one of the general education requirements, this course can also count toward meeting one of the requirements for the Gender Studies Program if the student writes 3 (of the 4 required) papers on gender-related issues. Please speak with Dr. Williams if you would like to earn GS credit or if you have any questions about the program. You may also find more information at:
Required Text/readings
●Social and Political Philosophy: Classical Western Texts in Feminist and Multicultural Perspectives, James P. Sterba, 3rd edition, Wadsworth Publishing, 2003
●material on e-reserve
Learning Outcomes
Students are expected to:
●know some of the most influential theories about political organization and the legitimacy of political authority;
●have a critical understanding of the role of gender, race, ethnicity, and class in these political theories;
●improve their reading and writing skills;
●understand the nature of philosophical arguments.
Methods of Evaluation
●Take-home essay exams: I will distribute the assignments one week before the due date.
●Participation: see rubric
●Final exam: essay on rights-based liberalism
Distribution of Graded Work
●3 take-home essay exams @ 20% each
●Participation @ 15%
●Final exam @ 25%
Grading Scale (percentage): A =100-94; A- = 93-90; B+ = 89-87; B =86-84; B- =83-80; C+ = 79-77; C =76-74; C- =73-70; D =69-60; F =below 60
Late Work
All work is due at the beginning of class. For every day an assignment is late, one letter grade will be deducted. No exceptions.
Attendance
Attendance is required in this class. You are allowed three absences with no grade reduction, thereafter three points off your final grade for every unexcused absence. I will record attendance at every class meeting. You are required to arrive at class on time and remain for the entire period in order to be counted as present.
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty will be handed in accordance to Wofford’s honor code, which can be found at
Disability
If you have a disability that requires my attention please let me know as soon as possible so that I may accommodate you.
Reading schedule (subject to change)
Week 1 –Political Science and Human Nature
Introduction
Aristotle: Nicomachean Ethics and The Politics
Week 2
Elizabeth Spelman: “Aristotle and the Politicization of the Soul”
Hobbes: Leviathan (chapters 13, 14, 15)
Week 3 – Social Contract Theory
Hobbes: (chapters 16, 17, 18, 20)
Pateman: “Hobbes, Patriarchy and Conjugal Right”
Week 4
Locke: Two Treatises on Government (pp. 186-197) Essay #1 (Human Nature: The Aristotle and Spelman debate) due
Locke: (pp. 197-207)
Week 5
Ward Churchill: “Perversions of Justice” and Tecumseh: “We Must be United”
Week 6
Rousseau, On the Social Contract
Week 7 –
Rousseau, Emile (students receive instructions for exam #2)
Wollstonecraft: “A Vindication of the Rights of Women”
Week 8– Classic Liberalism
Mill: On Liberty
Mill: The Subjection of Women
Essay #2 (A Conversation with Social Contract Theorists) due on March 25
Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776 (e-reserve)
Declaration of Sentiments (1848) (e-reserve)
Week 9 – Spring Break
No class
Week 10 – Civil Disobedience
Frederick Douglass, “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July?” (e-reserve)
MLK: “Letter from Birmingham Jail” (e-reserve)
Plato: Crito (e-reserve)
Week 11 – Democracy
Robert Kaplan, “Was Democracy Just a Moment?” (e-reserve)
Abu’l A’la Mawdudi: “The Political Theory of Islam”
Amartya Sen, “Democracy and its Global Roots” (e-reserve)
Week 12 – Marxism and Capitalism
Marx and Engels: Communist Manifesto
Milton Friedman, Capitalism and Freedom, “The Relation between Economic Freedom and Political Freedom” (e-reserve)
Essay #3 due (topic: student’s choice)
Week 13 –Liberalism
John Rawls: “Justice as Fairness: A Restatement”
Susan Moller Okin: “Justice as Fairness: For Whom?”
Week 14 – Harry Brighouse and Adam Swift: “Parents’ Rights and the Value of the Family” (2006) (e-reserve)
Martha Nussbaum: “Beyond ‘Compassion and Humanity’: Justice for Non-Human Animals (2004) (e-reserve)
Final exam: Philosophy essay on rights-based liberalism.
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