Political Theory Since 1500
There is a lot of reading in this course, all of it primary source
material—and some of it is quite difficult. You are expected to have done the
reading assigned for each class period and be prepared for discussion. If you
have not done the assigned reading, you may be asked to leave the class. All
of the reading is in two books available for purchase at the bookstore:
David Wootton, ed., Modern Political Thought: Readings from
Machiavelli to Nietzsche (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1996).
Stephen Eric Bronner, ed., Twentieth Century Political Theory: A
Reader (New York: Routledge, 1997)
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Discussion is very important in this course. The quality of your
verbal participation will account for 25% of the final grade. Please
bring the assigned reading to class for reference.
A portion of each day is reserved for a class debate on some issue
raised by the day’s readings. The class will divide into two teams,
each taking a different position. Your goal in these debates will be to
convince (with good arguments) the other side that your conclusion is
correct. Students must come in with a proposed debate question every
day.
At the end of the day, one student will present an informal report on
the life and times of next week’s theorist. You may use notes, but you
may not read. Presentations should last from three to five minutes.
Resources:
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I. Two papers
Students will write two 7-9 page essays on topics chosen in consultation with
the instructor. The papers will be due April 2 and May 7. I will be happy to
read and comment on any drafts of papers presented to me at least a week before
either paper is due. The final paper counts for 25% of the final grade.
II. Conceptual diary
For each class you will add entries in a conceptual diary containing your ongoing
reflections on the reading.
Your diary should be divided into different sections labeled with a distinct
concept, such as "Truth," "Power," "Liberty,"
"Trust," "Justice," etc. Make up your own section headings
as you go along. You may add a new section whenever you please.
Most entries will begin with a short quotation or paraphrase from the
assigned reading (with an informal citation of page number) followed by your own
reflections on the idea. Eventually, your diary should include comparisons of
different theorists with regard to a number of concepts of interest to you
together with your own extended reflections. For example, under the heading
"liberty" you might eventually have entries about Machiavelli, Calvin,
Hobbes, and Mill while under the heading "women" you might eventually
have entries about Machiavelli, Locke, Mill, and de Beauvoir.
Diaries will be posted on 
Diary Steps
1. Go to Webboard.
2. Click on the + sign next to "PoGo 341"
3. Find your name. Click on it.
4. A message will appear on the right hand side of the screen that says:
"To add a new concept, "reply" to THIS message. Then change
the topic to the name of the concept.
To add a new entry to an existing concept, "reply" to the first
entry for the concept. You do not have to change the topic."
5. Follow the four commandments:
Assignments
