| Course Information | ||
| Course title: | Social and Political Philosophy | |
| Course number: | PHL 223 | |
| Course discipline: | Philosophy | |
| Course description: | This introduction to Political Philosophy will study works of four of the most important political philosophers of modern times (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill), using these philosophers to study some of the most fundamental issues in political philosophy: Why have a state? What is the moral responsibility of the citizen to the laws of the state? When (if ever) is revolution justified? To what liberties are citizens entitled? Why (if at all) should government be democratic? Upon what principles should productive activity be organized? The course will involve both lectures and class discussions. | |
| Location: | Gavet 208 | |
| Meeting day(s): | Monday, Wednesday, Friday | |
| Meeting time(s): | 1:00-1:50 | |
| Prerequisite(s): | One course in Philosophy | |
| Instructor Information | ||
| Name: | John G. Bennett | |
| Email: |
jbennett@philosophy.rochester.edu (or just use class mail in WebCT) |
|
| Office location: | Lattimore 521 | |
| Office hours: |
Wed. 2-3 Thurs. 10-12 and by appointment |
|
| Phone: | 585 275-8145 | |
| Teaching Assistant | ||
| TA: | Andrei Buckareff | |
| Information: |
Office: 534 Lattimore Phone: 585 275-4387 Office Hours: Mondays 3:30 - 4:30, Wednesdays 11-12, and by appointment email: bkrf@mail.rochester.edu |
|
| Texts | ||
| Required texts: | We will read most of the following: Hobbes, Leviathan Parts I & II; Locke, Second Treatise of Government; Mill, On Liberty; Rousseau, On the Social Contract. Students should purchase these books if they do not already own them. Any edition will probably be adequate; the editions in the campus bookstore have been selected mainly with a view to minimizing costs. Students wishing to read Rousseau in French are encouraged to do so; it is relatively easy French. | |
| Some Policies | ||
|
Special Needs: Special needs will be accommodated whenever possible. Students with special needs should consult Mr. Bennett as soon as possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Class Meetings: The course is conducted on the assumption that students attend class. Students who cannot attend a particular class are responsible for making up any missed material; they should begin by consulting other students who were in class and by consulting the web page for announcements or information. The instructors will be available to answer questions about things students don?t understand. Final Exam: Please note that the date and time of the final exam are set by the registrar, not the instructor. All students, without exception, will take the final examination at the time the registrar determines. |
||
| Course Requirements | ||
| Introduction: |
Written Work: Written work will consist of (1) weekly exercises, (2) two short (ca 1250-1500 words) papers, (3) a mid-term examination, and (4) a final examination. In addition. students will be required to participate in on-line discussion groups. |
|
| Requirements: |
|
|
| Grading | ||
| Grading:: | Final grades will be calculated according to the following formula: Final Grade = .1 x Exercise Grade + .1 x Discussion Grade + .2 x Paper 1 Grade + .2 x Mid-term grade + .2 x Paper 2 Grade + .2 x Final Examination grade. In computing the exercise grade, the worst three scores for each student will be dropped. | |
| Approximate Schedule | ||
| (This schedule is subject to capricious alteration.) | ||
|
Sep. 3: Introductory Read: Hobbes, Part I Read: Hobbes, Part II Read: Locke, Chapters 1-6 Read: Locke: remainder Oct. 6: FALL BREAK Read: Mill, Chapter 1-2 Read: Mill, remainder Oct. 27: Mill’s Applications of the Simple Principle Read: Rousseau Nov. 10: Rousseau on the General Will Nov. 17: Rousseau on voting in the general assembly Nov. 24: Locke’s Natural Right to Property Dec. 1: Utilitarian principles; Diminishing Marginal Utility of Money Dec. 8: Democracy and Economics Dec.17, 7:15-10:15 PM: FINAL EXAMINATION |
||