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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 210-2"
COURSE NAME: "Introduction to Political Theory"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Camil Roman
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 3:00 PM 4:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS: MON/WED: 4.15 - 5.15 pm, by appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the history of political thought, from Ancient Greece to the 19th century. Through a close reading of selected canonical texts, students will examine the evolution of ideas about democracy, liberty, equality, justice, political authority, the social contract, different conceptions of human nature and the role of the individual in society. The theorists examined may include Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, de Tocqueville and John Stuart Mill.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course introduces the students to some of the most significant texts and events in the history of the Western world, from antiquity up until the 19th century modernity. It is organized around four parts, interspersed with 2 "reflection classes". The purpose of this arrangement is to familiarize the students with the chronology and content of events and texts that were arguably foundational in the making of the Western world, but also to organize the material around substantive discussions and moments that introduce a certain verticality in the process of learning, allowing for further comparative reflection towards central questions regarding what it means to be human. The first part deals with classic texts around the trial and execution of Socrates. The second part takes on another watershed moment of history, the trial and execution of Jesus, introducing students to central ideas and moments of the Gospels. The third part focuses on the most iconic experience in the history of Western political modernity, the French revolution and more specifically the trial and execution of Louis XVI, elaborating on key speeches at the king's trial. Finally, the last part revisits the ambience and context of the already undertaken readings, by being organized around classic texts in the history of political thought - ancient Greek, Christian and modern - that offer highly significant contributions to our understanding of political experiences and symbols, from antiquity to the 19th century.  
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The aim is that at the end of this course, the students will:
1) acquire significant knowledge of some of the most important events and texts in the history of political thought.
2) have the reflexive and critical ability to engage different historical contexts, escaping a taken for granted moderno-centrist conceptual mind-frame, and think comparatively across epochs.
3) be able to recognize old discussions in "new clothes", and hence understand easier central issues of political thinking and concrete political problems, in their relation to all spheres of life. 
4) enhance their interpretative and judgment skills based on a close reading of the texts. 
5) develop their capacity to write essays and formulate cogent and rigorous arguments of increasing complexity.   
6) improve their learning and memorizing skills
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
REFLECTION PIECE (CLASS 8)Two-pages reflection piece on an author/topic shared with you a week in advance (Format: Times New Roman, size 12, space 2). Reflections that cross the limit will be penalized. Your answers will elaborate on central aspects of the text and relate them to political experiences of the modern world. Excellent responses will understand/review correctly the text, will write interesting arguments, raise significant questions or provide thoughtful, non-commonplace critiques. Your answers will be marked according to the following criteria: (a) understanding of the material (35%), (b) logical structure of the argument (35%), and (c) depth and content of thought (30%). Further instructions in class. 15%
MIDTERM EXAM (CLASS 13)The exam will comprise 1 to 3 questions of content and reflection that require a close reading experience of the covered texts. Further instructions in class.30%
PRESENTATIONS (CLASSES 19 and 24)The students will be required to respond to specific tasks on authors/texts shared with them a week in advance, and present their answers in front of the class. All presentations are to be submitted by email, by the due date. Presentations will be graded according to the following criteria: the documentation of material (25%), the capacity to communicate in a clear, engaging and thought provoking manner (25%), the logical structure of the theoretical argument (25%) and depth of content and research (25%). Further instructions in class.15%
FINAL EXAMThe exam will comprise 1 to 3 questions of content and reflection that require a close reading experience of the covered texts. Further instructions in class.30%
PARTICIPATIONReading the texts, just as attendance and participation to discussions are mandatory for this class. The goal here is to learn how to ask good questions and provide thoughtful answers. You have 3 excused absences. Each extra absence will lower your final attendance grade by 10%. More than 10 unexcused absences may result in failure to pass the course.10%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. The final exam period runs until ____________
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY

(I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE MINOR CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS)

 

Class 1  Introduction to Political Theory

 

Class 2  Reflection 1: Anthropos as sacred demos, modern and ancient:

 

                                    “Pericles’ Funeral Oration”

    https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/ancient/pericles-funeralspeech.asp

 

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

         http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm

 

PART I: The trial and execution of Socrates

 

Class 3   Aristophanes’ Clouds, from Plato’s Four Texts on Socrates

                                    Library Reserve                   

        Class 4   Aristophanes’ Clouds, from Plato’s Four Texts on Socrates

                                    Library Reserve 

        Class 5    Plato’s Apology, from Plato’s Four Texts on Socrates 

                                                            Library Reserve

 

Class 6   Plato’s Apology, from Plato’s Four Texts on Socrates 

                                                            Library Reserve

        Class 7   Crito, from Plato’s Four Texts on Socrates                        

                                                            Library Reserve

              

PART II: The trial and execution of Jesus

 

  Class 8  New Testament, Matthew V, XIII; XXII, 1-22; John I, 1-18, Acts II  (Reflection piece due)

  https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Revised-Standard-Version-RSV-Bible/#booklist


        Class 9  New Testament, Romans I, VII, VIII, XIII, Galatians I; II, III, Revelation 

XX, XXI, XXII

https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Revised-Standard-Version-RSV-Bible/#booklist


  Class 10   New Testament, John XVIII, XIX

https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Revised-Standard-Version-RSV-Bible/#booklist

                      
Weiler, J.H.H. - The trial of Jesus

                        at:  https://www.firstthings.com/article/2010/06/the-trial-of-jesus  

 

PART III: The trial and execution of Louis XVI


  Class 11                 Speech of Saint Just, 13 November 1792

                                       Speech of Thomas Paine, 21 November 1792

 

all in: Walzer, Michael (ed.) 1992. Regicide and Revolution. Speeches at the Trial of Louis XVI , New York: Columbia University Press

                                                    Library Reserve

 

Class 12                 Speech of Robespierre, 28 December 1792  

                                      Speech of Vergniaud, 31 December 1792

  

  all in: Walzer, Michael (ed.) 1992. Regicide and Revolution. Speeches at the Trial of Louis XVI , New York: Columbia University Press

                                                Library Reserve

           

  Class 13           MIDTERM EXAM

 

PART IV: POLITICAL EXPERIENCES / POLITICAL SYMBOLS

 

Class 14          Aristotle - Book I 

                               Frohring Library e-book: Aristotle, Politics, edited by Peter L. Phillips Simpson, The University of North Carolina Press 1997 

 

  Class 15          Aristotle - Book III  

                                   Frohring Library e-book: Aristotle, Politics, edited by Peter L. Phillips Simpson, The University of North Carolina Press 1997 

         Class 16    Saint Augustine - Book XI 

                                               
Frohring Library e-book: The City of God, Books VIII-XVI, Catholic University of America Press (editors Walsh and Monahan)                                                   

 

  Class 17   Saint Augustine Book XIX

                       
Frohring Library e-book: The City of God, Books XVII-XXII, Catholic University of America Press (editors Walsh and Honan)

                                      

  Class 18      Machiavelli, The Prince, Dedicatory Letter, AND chapters I-VII

                                                   Frohring Library e-book (see end bibliography)

 

  Class 19        Student presentations I

 

  Class 20         Machiavelli, The Prince, chapters VIII-XV

                                                             Frohring Library e-book (see end bibliography)

Class 21         Machiavelli, The Prince, chapters XVI-XXI, AND chapters XXV-XXVI 

             Frohring Library e-book (see end bibliography)
            

  Class 22         Rousseau, Discourse on the origins of inequality, from the Dedicatory Letter to the end of Book I

                                    Frohring Library e-book (see end bibliography)

 

        Class 23         Rousseau, Discourse on the origins of inequality, from the Dedicatory Letter to the end of Book I

                                    Frohring Library e-book (see end bibliography)

  

  Class 24       Student presentations II

 

        Class 25       Rousseau, Discourse on the origins of inequality, Book II 

                                               Frohring Library e-book (see end bibliography)

 

         Class 26        Reflection 2: Anthropos and the Enlightenment 

                                              1)  Kant: What is Enlightenment?

               essay in Reiss, Hans Siegbert (ed.) Kant: Political Writings, Cambridge University Press, 1991

                                                Library Reserve

 
2) Foucault: What is Enlightenment?     

essay in Rabinow, Paul (ed.) The Foucault Reader, Pantheon Books, 1984

                                            Library Reserve (see end bibliography)

Class 27      Alexis de Tocqueville, The Ancien Regime and the Revolution, Foreword and Book I  

  Library Reserve (see end bibliography)


Class 28 Final remarks

                               

FINAL EXAM


BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Plato, Four Texts on Socrates, trans. West, Cornell University Press 1984 (Library Reserve)

2. Aristophanes, Clouds - in Plato, Four Texts on Socrates, trans. West, Cornell University Press 1984 (Library Reserve)

3. Aristotle, Politics, edited by Peter L. Phillips Simpson, The University of North Carolina Press 1997 (Frohring e-book) 

4. The Bible, Revised Standard Version

https://www.biblegateway.com/versions/Revised-Standard-Version-RSV-Bible/#booklist

5. Walzer, M. (ed.) 1992. Regicide and Revolution. Speeches at the Trial of Louis XVI , New York: Columbia University Press (Library Reserve) 

6. Saint Augustine, The City of God, Catholic University of America Press 2008,  editors Walsh and Monahan, 
      (Frohring e-book) 

7. Machiavelli, The Prince,  trans. Peter E. Bondanella, Oxford University Press 2005 (Frohring e-book) 

8. Alexis de Tocqueville, The Ancien Regime and the French revolution. Cambridge University Press, 2011 (Library Reserve) 

9. Jean Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract and the First and Second Discourses. Yale University Press, 2002  (Frohring e-book) 

10. “Pericles’ Funeral Oration”

https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/ancient/pericles-funeralspeech.asp


11. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm

12. Weiler, J.H.H. - The trial of Jesus

 https://www.firstthings.com/article/2010/06/the-trial-of-jesus

 13. Immanuel Kant, What is Enlightenment? - in Reiss, Hans Siegbert (ed.) "Kant: Political Writings", Cambridge University Press, 1991 (Library Reserve) 


14. Michel Foucault: What is Enlightenment? - in The Foucault Reader, editor Paul Rabinow, Pantheon Books, 1984 (Library Reserve)