JCU Logo

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PH 299AH"
COURSE NAME: "Special Topics in Philosophy: Utopia (This is an honors course and carries 4 semester hours of credit; NB: Minimum 3.5 CUM GPA required)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Provvidera Tiziana
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: MW 17:30-18:45
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course purposes to show how a wide range of early modern utopian writers used the genre to articulate novel ideas about politics, education, religion and science. It will explore some of the genre’s roots in writings from the ancient world, most notably Plato’s Republic, together with a look at visual and architectural representations of utopias and ideal cities.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Introduction to Utopian Writing; the genre of Utopia; the geography of Utopia; Utopian Society, Utopia and Education; Utopia and Science, Utopia and religion, Utopian Government.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
The course gives students the opportunity of studying early modern society not as it was, but as some of its most engaged critics thought it might be. The gap between their utopian societies and the actual conditions of early modern Europe raises some fundamental questions about the nature of historical interpretation. Hence as well as introducing utopian writing, the course also offers an accessible and stimulating introduction to intellectual history and the history of political thought.
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
NONE

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B:  This 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.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This 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.

F: This 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:
Students should plan to regularly attend the class, since we will often broaden the topics contained in the texts to contemporary issues, and since this class is mainly intended to the rousing of students’ personal thoughts and ideas. No more than 2 justified absences will be accepted.
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

SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
I WEEK What is Utopia? Introduction to utopian writings.Hesiod: “The Five Ages” from Works and Days Bible: Genesis 1-9; Revelation 1, 4-22.   
II WEEK Ancient utopiasPlato: Selections from The Republic (Book V, especially lines 449-480); Plato: Selections from Timaeus  
III WEEKThe invention of UtopiaLucian, A True History; Sir Thomas More, Utopia  
IV WEEKUtopia and religionSt. Augustine, The City of God against the Pagans; Tommaso Campanella, The City of the Sun   
V WEEK Utopia as a literary genreWilliam Shakespeare, The Tempest; Jonathan Swift, Gulliver's Travels  
VI WEEKClass discussion: the location of utopias Film: Metropolis by Fritz Lang   
VII WEEKReview / MID TERM EXAMINATION   
VIII WEEK Utopia and scienceFrancis Bacon, New Atlantis; Margaret Cavendish, The Description of a New World called the Blazing-World  
IX WEEKUtopia and educationJean-Jacques Rousseau, Émile  
X WEEK Utopia and politicsDavid Hume, Idea of a Perfect Commonwealth; Savinien Cyrano de Bergerac, Warfare on the Moon  
XI WEEKFeminist utopiaMarge Piercy, Woman on the Edge of Time; Christine de Pizan, City of Ladies  
XII WEEKThe danger of Utopia: the DystopiaJack London, The Iron Heel; H.G. Wells, The time machine  
XIII WEEKClass discussion: Does Utopia Have a Future? Film: Blade Runner    
XIV WEEK Review/ FINAL EXAM