Dr. V. McGuire

University of Colorado
Western Political Thought 2004-300

Fall 2005
Office: Farrand 101 

Ph.735-3019
Lectures: TTr

Craven Lounge

Course Schedule

E-mail

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 The Essence of Political Thought is the Struggle Between Revelation and Reason

Course Description:  

Purpose: The purpose of this course is “the recovery of permanent things.” This course provides students with an introduction to the study of Western political thought. Students will investigate some of the most important perspectives that have emerged over the past 2,500 years for discussing political issues by reading excerpts from the original texts. The student will gain an understanding of human behavior and social institutions through the study of views about these matters held by representative Western political theorists. The student will also use major Western theorists and political ideas as a vehicle for examination and clarification of the students’ own political perspectives. By understanding these ideas and changes we may, hopefully, better understand the world and society in which we live.

Procedure: Most classes will be of the lecture/discussion format. This does not abrogate the student of any work. This is a course of ideas but the ideas come from the students. There will be many opportunities for you to have ideas but you must create your own personal set of ideas. They may be the same as your friends or your parents but they must be yours, not theirs. Thus, participation in class is crucial, not just for the course but for your personal development. To assist you in getting an education, James Schall’s "A Student’s Guide to Liberal Learning" is an invaluable introduction to the college experience and should be read by every student.

Policies: All University policies are in effect for this course. [http://www.colorado.edu/policies/] The University Honor Code [http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/Home.html] is the most important policy in this class. It is taken, by me, with the utmost seriousness. Familiarize yourself with these policies especially in regards to incompletes, drops/add, withdrawal, etc. Students are expected to attend all classes, do all reading prior to the class and take all exams at the appointed times. No make-up exams will be given. No ‘extra credit’ is ever given. Every effort shall be made to accommodate all students who, because of religious obligations, have conflicts with scheduled exams, assignments or required attendance. If you have specific physical, psychiatric, or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let me know early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. You will need to provide documentation of your disability to the Disability Services Office in Willard 322 (303-492-8671).
If you have any problems with the college, the course, the material or me, please come see me. If there is anything I can help you with please come see me. I am here to help.

The Ethics of the Course: What are our aims, and how are we going to achieve them? The central value of the course is truth seeking. Eschew nihilism (there’s no such thing), emotivism (believing what makes you feel good), populism (avoiding "weird" or unpopular beliefs). The main constraints on how we pursue truth are a limited rationality, mutual respect and civility. Limited rationality is being prepared to give reasons and evidence for what you believe, reasons that are at least understandable to your audience and do not pursue ends at all costs, ad nauseam. Mutual respect: each of us as human beings has a natural aptitude for truth-seeking. Moreover, we are naturally social beings -- we need each other in order to fully realize this aptitude. This does not require us to blunt the edge of disagreement, or lapse into an easygoing relativism. Civility is a mutual respect; expresses itself in deference and humility. Criticize the ideas, not the person. We don’t accuse each other of evil (racism, sexism, etc.) on the basis of sincere expressions of ideas. [thanks to Robert C. Koons for this construction].

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Jene M. Porter, 2000, Classics in Political Philosophy Prentice Hall; ISBN: 0-13-082198-5

James Q. Wilson, 1993, The Moral Sense Simon & Schuster; ISBN: 0-68-483332-8

James V. Schall "A Student’s Guide to Liberal Learning" Intercollegiate Studies Institute: ISBN 1-882926-53-6

Michael Schermer, 2004, “The Science of Good and Evil: Why People Cheat, Gossip, Care, Share, and Follow the Golden Rule” Henry Holt, ISBN 0-8050-7520-8 (Recommended)
Steven Pinker, 2002, “The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature” Penguin, ISBN 0-14-200334-4 (Recommended)

Books should be for sale at the UMC bookstore and Colorado bookstore on the hill. The Student is responsible for acquiring the books. They are also available on-line at, e.g., textbooks.com or Bigwords.com

EVALUATION

Examinations: There are three midterm exams and a final exam. The final is take-home. Each is worth 25% of the grade. Each exam is essay in format and drawn from class lectures and assigned readings. All essays will be written in blue or black ink. You must bring a "blue book" to all exams (also available in the bookstore). To attain a passing grade ALL exams must be taken.

The final exam is an evaluation of Western Political Thought based on the concept of morality. James Q. Wilson’s book, The Moral Sense gives an explanation of morality throughout Western thought and offers an alternative to the poverty of many of the modern conceptions of morality. The final, a take-home exam, asks you to evaluate Wilson’s analysis based on your understanding of political philosophies acquired through the course. Best would be to read Wilson’s book prior to starting your reading of Porter. Schall’s "Liberal Learning" is an excellent companion to philosophy courses and an integral part of the course as well as a topic on the final. The final is due at the beginning f class April 30.

Participation: In a class such as this discussion among and between students is paramount. As much as anything, students learn from each other. Toward this end participation is an integral part of the total grade and I will take it very seriously. Participation will mean the difference between an excellent and a good grade.

E-mail list: Each student must subscribe to the class's E-mail list. To do this send an E-mail message to-

                  listproc@lists.colorado.edu

                  leave the subject Blank. In the content area insert:

                   "subscribe farrandwpt your full name" without the quotes

                    send message.

For help go to  http://www.colorado.edu/ITS/emaillists/faq.html