Philosophy 33:
Course Description: This course is intended to give students a critical overview of different conceptions of central political values over time, from tribal societies to the technological nation-state. Our approach will be largely historical, though not antiquarian; you should not automatically assume that what is old has been superseded or improved upon. My approach to economic questions is substantially social and political, though yours need not be. You should come out of the course with some clear idea of the "proper" relationship between politics, economics, and society. Format: Course presentation will be a mixture of lecture and discussion, with substantial emphasis on the latter. I may lecture for an hour or so in the first week we take up a new text; the following meetings devoted to those texts will be largely discussion. Quizzes: We will begin each week with a quiz whose intent is to "encourage" you keep up with the reading, so it is imperative that you come on time. Each quiz will have two short answer questions, which will be graded 0, 1, or 2, with the total averaged. You must average one point per quiz to pass the class. There will be no make-ups for quizzes; if you can't help missing a quiz and wish to make it up, I will have you write something in lieu of the quiz. Essays: Students will write four 5-6 page essays, due on January 28 (what's right? why?), March 4 (on the Bible & Plato), April 22 (on Hobbes & Rousseau), and May 27 (on Marx & Berry). The first essay will count 20%; the 2nd & 3rd 25%, and the final essay 30%. I will provide suggestions for the other paper topics as the due dates approach. Your back pages: Each essay should conclude with a separate page describing what you were trying to do in the essay, how you think you succeeded or failed, what you wish had come out better, what you wish you had more time to think and write about, what you would write about if you had more time, and what kind of criticism you would find most helpful. I read these after I make my initial comments so please staple them at the end of the essay. You may, if you choose, revise one essay during the quarter; the revision will be due within two weeks of your getting the original back; the new grade will replace the initial grade. Your initial version must be submitted on time for you to have the opportunity to revise it. reading schedule:
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