Instructor: Daniel W. Skubik, PhD JD
Voice:
909.343.4288 / Fax: 909.343.4520
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu
This course in Modern Political Philosophy follows chronologically the course in Classical Political Philosophy, and is designed to consider the writings of political theorists from the early modern period through the 19th century. The systematic thought of these theorists is worth studying if for no other reason than their influence on historic turning points in the political and social affairs of contemporary human societies. Close reading will also highlight the assumptions and principles underlying their thought, and our own thinking, on the human condition and the possibilities and limitations of social organization.
While the political philosophy of the late classical and medieval periods were virtually the handmaid of theology, modern political theorizing was fashioned in a more deliberately secular milieu. Even those who were Christian sought to develop theories of the state and of social relations at least one step removed from the church, thus heralding the separation of church and state so central to Anglo-American political thought, today.
By the end of this course, students should be able to differentiate the classical and modern theories covered, and be able to assess, apply, and critique these theories in the light of contemporary socio-political relations. Students should also be able to use these ideas to examine more recent developments in political thought--such as postmodernism, to be covered in the subsequent Critical Political Philosophy course.
Required Texts
Timothy Luther, The Political Philosophy of Democracy (1998)
Karl Marx, Selected Writings
J.S. Mill, The Subjection of Women [any edition will suit]
Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract [any edition will suit]
You should also reference the Marx & Engels Internet Archive; and see the online copies of Mill's and Rousseau's work: The Subjection of Women and The Social Contract.
Other web pages and handouts will be referenced throughout the term, contents of which you also will be responsible.
| Jul 9 | Introduction to the class; and Review of Classical & Introduction to Modern Pol Phil |
| Jul 16 | Read/Review Luther, ch.1 & 7-8 (Machiavelli & Hobbes) Quiz #1 |
| Jul 23 | Read Luther, ch.8-9 (Hobbes, and Locke & Hume) Quiz #2 |
| Jul 30 | Read Luther, ch.10 (Montesquieu & Rousseau); and Rousseau, The Social Contract Quiz #3 |
| Aug 6 | Read Luther, ch.11 (Bentham & Mill); and J.S. Mill, The Subjection of Women Quiz #4 |
| Aug 13 | Read Luther, ch.12 (Kant); and Marx, Selected Writings, pp.1-26; 102-186 Quiz #5 |
| Aug 20 | Read Marx, Selected Writings, pp.315-332 and from the Internet Archive, Writings on the Civil War [#1- The North American Civil War; #3- The Anglo-American Conflict; and #7 - The Crisis Over the Slavery Issue] Group Project Paper Due |
| Aug 27 | Final Exam |
Assessment & Grading
Scale
| Quizzes = 20% of final grade (best 4 of 5 @ 5% each) | 90 - 100 = A (90-94 = A-) |
| Final Exam = 35% | 80 - 89 = B (80-82 = B- / 87-89 = B+) |
| Group Project Paper = 35% | 70 - 79 = C (70-72 = C- / 77-79 = C+) |
| Participation = 10% | 60 - 69 = D (60-62 = D- / 67-69 = D+) |
| 0 - 59 = F |
Five (5) quizzes are set during the term, covering each week's current readings. All quizzes are objective in nature, comprising true/false, multiple choice, fill-in the blank, matching and short answer type questions. Questions cover the previous week's discussion for depth, plus basic understanding of the current week's readings prior to discussion. Quizzes will usually, though not necessarily, come near the beginning of each evening's session. Of the five, your four (4) best results will be used to compute your quiz scores (i.e. your worst effort will be dropped).
One open notes exam is set for the end of the term. Meaning of open notes: one standard size sheet of paper (8.5" x 11") may be brought to the exam, with notes written or typed or computer generated, front and back, without regard for margins.
Specific guidance as to form and general requirements will be proffered one week before the exam. Format will emphasize short answer and essay questions, requiring application of theories, fundamental concepts and principles in relation to the themes covered in class.
One group project paper will
be due, Monday, August 20th, at the beginning of class. This group project paper will be your group's construction of a socio-political framework, with explanation and justification, for building a contemporary, independent political association. Specifically, you are to write a group paper that covers at least the following matters:
The project paper should be at least 3000 words in length, and should demonstrate sophisticated understanding of the political theories discussed in class. You are also
encouraged, though not required, to review scholarly books and academic journal articles concerning insights or theorists not covered in class. Follow MLA or APA format for your paper and provide a bibliography or full notes for all your references. Late project papers will be accepted through the beginning of class on Aug 27, but will be
penalized 21% for being late (i.e. the best you could do is C-level assessment for your work). Meaning of group: 2 or more persons, working together to create the paper, and who each will receive the same mark for their combined efforts.
Although speaking in class or writing notes on the web, publicly putting and defending a position, can be daunting, you are strongly encouraged to learn to think through your own and others' experiences and insights within the context our discussions. In short, you are encouraged to demonstrate your internalization of our material for application in the socio-political world. In this context, you are not being evaluated for reaching "right" conclusions, but for demonstrating your facility in forming arguments for any conclusions put, given the material we will cover in class.
To give direct incentive to so engage, 10% of your mark for the course will be
comprised of my assessment of your overall participation. This includes, but is
not limited to, my assessment of your participation during our f2f and web
sessions (e.g. making relevant comments in classroom discussions, being prepared
to respond to socratic questioning, asking relevant questions, submitting
comments on the website discussion board, and following directions concerning
reading assignments). The point is to determine your active engagement with the
material in the context of the class.
This syllabus is composed in good faith, with a schedule of readings, quizzes, writing assignments and exams which will guide us throughout the term. Still, the instructor reserves the right to make adjustments to this schedule as deemed necessary for the overall enterprise of the class. Any changes will be communicated as far in advance as feasible, and you are responsible for knowing if and when any changes have been made.
Make-Ups
Final Exam : there is no make-up; you must take the final on the last night of class
Group Project Paper : the paper is due to me as noted; late submissions are subject to the 21% penalty outlined
Quizzes : make-ups will be arranged only on good evidence of unavoidable absence from class (e.g. employer-mandated overtime or out-of-town business trip). A quiz must be made-up prior to the time set for the next quiz (e.g. if you miss quiz #2 on July 23rd, you must make-up that quiz before quiz #3 is given on July 30th).
N.B. If participation in the group project is truly not possible for you (i.e. there are insurmountable obstacles blocking participation with others), an independent research paper can be arranged. But it is in your best interests to participate in the group assignment if at all feasible.
* N.B. The start time of 5:00pm indicates the time I will be
available for office hours, i.e. the time you
are welcome but not required to come to talk about course material, homework and
other matters about the class. Instructional time begins at 6:00pm, the time
you are expected to be in class and ready for the evening's
work.