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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PH 230"
COURSE NAME: "Evil Philosophers: Controversial Books in Modern Philosophy"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Branchi Andrea
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 18:00-19:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
After class or by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Three
books in the history of modern philosophy, Machiavelli’s The Prince (1513), Hobbes’ Leviathan (1651) and Mandeville’s Fable of
the Bees (1714-29)
ignited lively discussions among their contemporaries and gained for their
authors an infamous reputation. They lived and worked in different context, but
Niccolò Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes and Bernard Mandeville hold an analogous,
unprejudiced “scientific” approach to the issue of man’s sociability and, in
general terms, they share a common view on the relevance of self-interested
motivation in human nature. Their works were labeled as immoral, pernicious,
offensive to the dignity of mankind, but none of their successors could avoid
consider their philosophical claims.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
The
course presents these three books and the impact they had on the history of
Western thought. The course is structured as a survey of the main knots of the
"history of selfishness", the debate on self-interest passions and
its role in social and moral life; and on a close reading of The Prince and selections from Leviathan and The Fable of the Bees, as well as the major commentaries
and responses to these publications; an analysis of the context in which they
were written, an examination of the main issue addressed in the debates which
Machiavelli, Hobbes and Mandeville provoked.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the
end of the course the students will be familiar with the major themes, authors
and terminology of Early Modern Political Philosophy, as well as with the
debate on self-interest before capitalism.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Niccolo's Smile: a biography of Machiavelli, | Maurizio Viroli, | Hill and Wang | 978-0374528003 | | | | | |
| The Prince | Niccolò Machiavelli | Penguin | 0140449159 | | | | | |
| Leviathan | Thomas Hobbes | Penguin | 978-0140431957 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: times;">Students
are required to take one mid-term examination (20% of final grade) a final exam
(50%) and to write a paper during the semester. 30% of final grade will depend
on the paper, attendance, class presentation and participation. The paper
(about 4-6 pages long) is to be a research paper, complete with references, on
a topic of your choice. Students should discuss their topics with me during
office hours, prior to writing. It is due BEFORE the last day of class. The mid
term exam and the final consists in two short essays to be written in class,
chosen from among a set of questions. The papers will be evaluated for their
clarity of exposition; content/references to the readings and other class
materials; originality, creativity, concept.</span> | |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Students are required to take one mid-term examination (20% of final grade) a final exam (50%) and to write a paper during the semester. 30% of final grade will depend on the paper, attendance, class presentation and participation. The paper (about 4-6 pages long) is to be a research paper, complete with references, on a topic of your choice. Students should discuss their topics with me during office hours, prior to writing. It is due BEFORE the last day of class. The mid term exam and the final consists in two short essays to be written in class, chosen from among a set of questions. The papers will be evaluated for their clarity of exposition; content/references to the readings and other class materials; originality, creativity, concept. Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.
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 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.
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:
Class
attendance and active participation of the students in class is a fundamental
requirement of the course. The meetings will include lectures and general class
discussions of the readings, contribution to which will be taken into account
as a crucial part of the final grade. Students are expected to have completed
the required reading assignment before the class meeting under which they are
listed, to take notes while reading, write down their questions and ideas, and
use them in class discussion. Participation is paramount. It includes attending
class, asking questions, answering questions, engaging in discussion and
offering information relevant to the course. It is necessary to demonstrate
that you understand and can discuss ideas in the class. Please
refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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v General Introduction
v Lines for an history of selfishness
v Politics of Power in the Land of Machiavelli
v Civic Humanism and the Florentine Republic
v Machiavelli’s Discourses and Republicanism
v Machiavelli’s life - The Prince (I-XIV)
v The Prince (XV-XVIII)
v The Prince (XIX-XXVI)
v Machiavelli’s fame in the 15th century. “Ragion di Stato”
v Castiglione's Book of the Courtier
v Erasmus on Self-love
v Erasmus on Self-love
v Honour and the aristocratic ethos
v REVIEW FOR THE EXAM
v MID-TERM EXAM
v Hobbes’ philosophical anthropology – The Leviathan
v Leviathan
v Leviathan
v Leviathan
v Leviathan
v Leviathan
v British moral philosophy after Hobbes.
v The French moralists of the 17th century. Nicole and Bayle
v Mandeville and the debate on benevolence and selfish passions
v Mandeville’s on pride and consumption
v Mandeville’s Fable of the Bees
v Mandeville’s Fable of the Bees
v The Luxury controversy
v Rousseau, Hume and Smith on Mandeville
v REVIEW FOR THE EXAM
v FINAL EXAM
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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
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