PO281 A Pathways to Modern PoliticsWinter 2016

• Instructor: Dr. Thomas O. Hueglin• Office: DAWB 4-124• Tel: ext.3294• email thueglin@wlu.ca• Time: Mon/Wed 16:00-17:20• Room: SBE 1220• Office hours Mon/Wed 15:00-15:45, or by appointment

summer is over

GOALThis course is going back to the beginnings

of western political thought. Its primary purpose is to read some of the classical texts of western political philosophy. Its goal is two-fold: to examine, understand and criticize the meaning of these texts in their own time, and to reflect on their relevance for our own time.

ThinkersIn order to allow for some intensity of study and discussion,

the selection has been limited to eight political thinkers in four segments:

- We begin with Descartes and Vico who set the stage with two different methodological approaches to social knowledge.

- We then turn to Plato and Aristotle who mark the two main beginnings to Western political thought.

- We discover the contradictory beginnings of the modern age in the two main works of Machiavelli, the Prince, and the Discourses.

- And finally, we compare two imaginations of modern statehood in Hobbes and Althusius.

TEXTSThe following texts have to be acquired from the bookstore:

1. Descartes: Philosophical Writings I2. Vico: On the Study Methods of Our Time3. Plato: Republic4. Aristotle: Politics5. Machiavelli: Prince and Discourses6. Hobbes: Leviathan7. Althusius: Politica8. Hueglin: Classical Debates

These are the suggested readings for PO 281

Please not that they are minimum readings. The more you read beyond, the better you will be prepared. Always also read introductions that might provide additional information.

•1) Descartes: Discourse on the Method 2) Vico: all 3) Plato: parts II, IV‐VII, IX 4) Aristotle: books I, III‐IV •5) Machiavelli, The Prince: all 6) Machiavelli, The Discourses: book I: 1‐10, 16‐18, 50‐58; book III: 7‐9, 29 7) Hobbes: chapters 13, 17‐31, 44, review and conclusion. 8) Althusius: chapters I‐IX, XIX, XXXIII.

ORGANIZATION• The course has three components: 1) lectures on the readings and

their contextual background to be attended by the entire class; 2) group workshops on particular authors and themes to be attended by group members only and in preparation for 3) group presentations and debates before the entire class.

• For this purpose the class will also be divided into eight groups for presentation (GP 1-8) of approximately fifteen students, and each of these will be subdivided again into three groups (A, B, C) of about five each. In each of the eight group presentations two of these groups will present and debate contrasting views of the two authors, while the role of the third group is to provide a comparison. The purpose of the workshops is to prepare these presentations with the help of the instructor.

SIGN-UP

-a fifth name can only be added when all boxes have at least four names

-write down and remember GP number (1-8) and group selection (A,B,C)

-check course outline for dates of workshop and presentation-sign-up deadline: end of week 2; afterwards it is only possible

with written documentation and petition- sign-up in week two only during office hours

A B C

GP1

GP2

GP3

GP4

GP5

GP6

GP7

GP8

OUTLINE AND TIME TABLE (1)

Mon 04 Jan Introduction / Writing SkillsWed 06 Jan Lecture: DescartesMon 11 Jan Lecture: VicoWed 13 Jan Workshop IMon 18 Jan GP 1: the instruments of knowledgeWed 20 Jan GP 2: the aims of knowledge

OUTLINE AND TIME TABLE (2)

Mon 25 Jan Lecture: PlatoWed 27 Jan Lecture: AristotleMon 01 Feb Workshop IIWed 03 Feb GP 3: what kind of society?Mon 08 Feb GP 4: what kind of state?

OUTLINE AND TIME TABLE (3)

Wed 10 Feb Lecture: TransitionMon 22 Feb Lecture: Machiavelli’s PrinceWed 24 Feb Lecture: Machiavelli’s DiscoursesMon 29 Feb Workshop IIIWed 02 Mar GP 5: what kind of society?Mon 07 Mar GP 6: what kind of state?

OUTLINE AND TIME TABLE (4)

Wed 09 Mar Lecture: HobbesMon 14 Mar Lecture: AlthusiusWed 16 Mar Workshop IVMon 21 Mar GP 7: human natureWed 23 Mar GP 8: sovereigntyMon 28 Mar Lecture: The IroquoisWed 30 Mar Wrap-up

REQUIREMENTS [I]• All students have to read all assigned texts and attend

lectures as well as group presentations. The workshops have to be attended only by those groups preparing for the next round of presentations.

• Each group member will make a 4 minute presentation.

• Active participation of all group members is expected. There will be a collective grade for each group with the possibility of up/downgrading for individual students who excel in the debate or say nothing.

REQUIREMENTS [II]In addition, each student has to hand in a five page essay

(type-written, double-spaced, one inch margins) related to the text material. The suggestion is to elaborate further on one particular problem, idea or theory arising from the text.

These essays are due one week after group presentation.

The main criteria for the evaluation of these essays are:- intensive text interpretation with precise text citations- placement of chosen topic within author’s larger context- originality of own argument, analysis and conclusion- Employment and proper citation of at least five significant

references from the secondary literature that are taken neither from textbooks (including Classical Debates) nor from the internet.

- the principal purpose of these references is to help with own text interpretation

Paper Writing and Handing-In Rules (1):1. The papers for PO281 can be on any topic related to the course. But I

encourage students to develop their topic from what they already did for the group presentation. Regardless of what students write on, the papers are due one week after their presentation.

2. Significant secondary sources are specialized book publications (not textbooks), and/or scholarly journal articles and chapters in edited scholarly books. The use of electronic journals through the Laurier library system is of course encouraged. These journal articles then have to be cited the same way as if they were hard copy (i.e. without the electronic address). Some electronic sources do not provide the original journal pagination. If that is the case, they cannot be used.

3. The paper should contain a clearly defined investigation or argument (cf. my lecture on writing skills). As a rule of thumb, at least 80% of the paper should be on text interpretation. The primary texts used have to be cited properly (book, chapter, paragraph etc. rather than just page numbers of the edition used).

4. The papers are due one week after students’ presentation, and they are due in class. Papers handed in any time later (into my mailbox), are automatically downgraded by half a grade (e.g. B to B-). Papers are no longer stamped and dated by the department. Therefore all late papers put into my mailbox in between the class when they are due and the next class are treated the same.

Paper Writing and Handing-In Rules (2):

5. All papers have to have the following information on the front page:

Name of studentStudent IDTitle of paperCourse number (i.e. PO281)Name of instructor (i.e. Dr. Hueglin)The number of the Group Presentation (i.e. GP1 to GP8)The letter identifying the specific group (i.e. A, B, or C)Due Date of the Paper

Any of this information missing will automatically lead to a grade deduction for the paper.

6. Only stapled papers will be accepted. All others will be treated as not submitted. Papers under my door will not be accepted.

CITATIONSAll citations of secondary literature must be

identified by bold in-text reference: (name: year, page).

All citations of primary text must be identified by bold in-text reference: (name if necessary, short title, chapter, paragraph etc. – not page numbers)

There must be a complete bibliography at the end:- first, the primary texts with complete information about the edition used- then the secondary sources

• In addition to the first grade deduction (e.g. B to B-) for any paper not submitted on time and in class, there will further deductions for each calendar week.

• I will not accept papers after the final exam. Students will then have to petition.

• Note that the range for late submissions is more limited for students signed up for presentations late in the term.

• If there is a due date overlap with the final exam or the study period, exceptions can be negotiated.

Late Penalty and Acceptance

REQUIREMENTS [III]• The final exam will consist of four brief essay questions,

each taken from one of the four segments of the course.• Students have two answer two questions but may not

choose the question from the segment of their own presentation. This effectively will give a choice of two out of three.

• The questions may focus on one of the two authors in each segment, or they will be of a comparative nature.

• While the final exam covers the entire course, nothing will be asked that has not been subject to a significant treatment in either lectures or group presentations.

KEEPING RECORD• Students are required to keep a copy of

both the originally submitted paper and the paper with the grade until after they have received their final grade.

• Students will receive their group presentation marks together with their essay mark.

Grade Calculation• The course grade will be calculated on the

following basis: - presentation 30% - essay 40% - final exam 30%Note: Students need a passing grade in

each of the components in order to pass the course

Additional Information• Wilfrid Laurier University uses software that can check for plagiarism.

Students may be required to submit their written work in electronic form and have it checked for plagiarism.

• Students with disabilities or special needs are advised to contact Laurier's Accessible Learning Office for information regarding its services and resources. Students are encouraged to review the Calendar for information regarding all services available on campus.

• The Political Science Department’s policy on deferred midterm and final examinations can be found at http://www.wlu.ca/arts/politicalscience.