JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY COURSE CODE: "PL 310" COURSE NAME: "Modern Political Theory" SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2015

SYLLABUS INSTRUCTOR: Lars Rensmann EMAIL: [email protected] HOURS: TTH 10:00 AM 11:15 AM TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45 CREDITS: 3 PREREQUISITES: Recommended: PL 210 OFFICE HOURS: W 2-3:30pm and by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course introduces students to key modern & contemporary political thinkers and their contributions to the development of political theory and political ideas. The class covers a wide range of different European, American and African thinkers shaping political philosophy and political theory from the 19th to the 21st century. Authors include Edmund Burke, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, Max Weber, Carl Schmitt, Antonio Gramsci, Hannah Arendt, Frantz Fanon, Herbert Marcuse, Michael Oakeshott, Michel Foucault, John Rawls, Michael Walzer, Seyla Benhabib and Jürgen Habermas. The course examines the way these thinkers appropriate traditions of political thought, and how they provide their own vocabularies to understand the modern world, the modern state, and modern politics. In so doing, the course addresses and critically discusses these thinkers’ different approaches to key political concepts such as power, political order, modernity, rationalism, political violence, community, democracy, sovereignty, justice, legitimacy, plurality, difference, and the rule of law.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT: This course offers a largely chronological and systematic survey of, and will introduce students to, key modern & contemporary political thinkers and their contributions to the development of political theory and ideas. The class covers a wide range of different European, American and African thinkers shaping political philosophy and political theory from the 18th to the 21st century. Though each is taking a different approach, all authors provide ‘modern’ versions of political thought that confront the ‘modern condition’, the modern state, and (global) politics. Addressing philosophical, sociological and political questions in their own distinct ways yet often directly and indirectly communicating with each other, the contributions by these thinkers and theorists are deeply embedded not only in the history of political thought but also in the politico-historical context in which they are writing. Familiarity with both the history of the 20th century and basic knowledge of the history of pre-20th century political thought is helpful but not presupposed or required.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The primary goal of this course is a critical understanding of the work of the most influential and significant modern and contemporary political theorists, the concepts they employ or refine, and the problems they face. Student learn how these theorists develop concepts and arguments and students learn to analyze, criticize, unpack and/or justify these authors’ ideas in order to apply theoretical concepts to current political issues. The course familiarizes students with modern political theorizing and the various resources and traditions it draws from, as well as the multiple political problems and challenges in modern politics such theory seeks to address. Thus, the class provides students with an overview of canonic twentieth-century political theory and their key concepts, arguments, and controversies. Students learn to interpret and evaluate the propositions that modern and contemporary political theorists offer and the conflicts and crises they respond to. The course broadens and deepen students’ understanding of central concepts, terms, issues and approaches shaping modern political theory.

TEXTBOOK: Book Title Author Publisher ISBN number Library Call Number Comments Format Local Bookstore Online Purchase Crises of the Republic Hannah Arendt Harvest 978-0156232005           Black Skin, White Masks Frantz Fanon Grove Press 978-0802143006           Modern Prince Antonio Gramsci International Publishers 978-0717801336           Justice as Fairness John Rawls Harvard University Press 978-0674005112

REQUIRED RESERVED READING: NONE RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING: NONE

GRADING POLICY -ASSESSMENT METHODS: Assignment Guidelines Weight In-class Midterm Exam In-class exam based on 8 questions on concepts and theories 30% Term paper, 7–9 pages Research paper on one or more political theorists or application of theories 30% Two Short Reading Reflections, 1-2 pages Reading responses demonstrating critical reading of material 20% Participation and Final Colloquium Combination of active class participation and critical knowledge in final colloquium 20% -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 is mandatory. Since the class discussions comprise an absolutely essential component of this course, course attendance is compulsory; the grade for your active participation will comprise 10 percent of the final grade. In order to make participation a meaningful experience for everyone, and most importantly for you, you will have to read assigned materials before class sessions and participate in class discussions. Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

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

Calendar: Readings and Weekly Topics January 20: Introduction to the Course: Why Do We Study Modern Political Thought? Readings: None CONCEPTS & IDEOLOGIES IN MODERN TIMES AND TUNES: REPUBLICANISM, CONSERVATISM, LIBERALISM, AND SOCIALISM January 22: Modern Conservatism and Community: Edmund Burke (Burke vs. Mill, Part I) Readings: Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France (Cambridge: The Harvard Classics [1790]). http://www.bartleby.com/24/3/1.html January 27: Modern Liberalism, Liberty, Rights: John Stuart Mill (Burke vs. Mill, Part II) Readings: John Stuart Mill, “Of the Limits to the Authority of Society over the Individual,” in Mill, On Liberty (London: Dover, 2002 [1859], pp.60-75 http://www.bartleby.com/130/4.html January 29: Socialism and Communism: Karl Marx Readings: Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto https://archive.org/details/CommunistManifesto MAX WEBER AND KEY ISSUES OF POLITICAL MODERNITY February 3: Max Weber – Political Modernity, the Modern State, and Vocations I Readings: Max Weber, “Politics as Vocation”, pp.32-94 FIRST READING REFLECTION DUE. February 5: Max Weber – Political Modernity, Modern Sciences, and Vocations II Readings: Max Weber, “Science as Vocation”, pp.1-31 MODERN CHALLENGES: THE TOTALITARIAN STATE, COLONIALISM, POWER & VIOLENCE February 10: Carl Schmitt – Of Sovereignty and Enemies I   Readings: Carl Schmitt, The Concept of the Political [1932], pp.19-45 February 12: Carl Schmitt – Of Sovereignty and Enemies II   Readings: Carl Schmitt, The Concept of the Political [1932], pp.45-79 February 17: Antonio Gramsci – Hegemony and the Modern Prince Readings: Antonio Gramsci, The Modern Prince, pp.58-89, 118-125 February 19: Antonio Gramsci – Hegemony and the Modern Prince Readings: Antonio Gramsci, The Modern Prince, pp.135-153, 181-188 February 24: Hannah Arendt – The Totalitarian Experience and the Modern Banality of Evil Readings: Hannah Arendt, Origins of Totalitarianism, pp.460-479; Arendt, Eichmann in Jerusalem, pp.21-55 February 26: Hannah Arendt – Action, Power, and Violence under Modern Conditions Readings: Hannah Arendt, “On Violence”, in Arendt, Crises of the Republic, Sections 1 & 2, pp.105-155 March 3: Hannah Arendt – Action, Power, and Violence under Modern Conditions Readings: Hannah Arendt, “On Violence”, in Arendt, Crises of the Republic, Sections 3 & 4, pp.156-198 March 5: Frantz Fanon – Colonialism, Post-Colonialism, Power and Violence Frantz Fanon, Black Skin, White Masks (New York: Grove Press, 1952), Introduction & Chapters 1-3, pp.9-81 March 10: Frantz Fanon – Colonialism, Post-Colonialism, Power and Violence Frantz Fanon, Black Skin, White Masks, Chapter 8, pp.223-232 MODERN RATIONALISM AND ITS CRITIQUE: CONSERVATIVE AND RADICAL March 12: Michael Oakeshott, the Critique of Modern Rationalism, and the Case for Conservative Libertarianism Readings: Michael Oakeshott, Rationalism in Politics and Other Essays (Indianapolis, IN: Liberty Fund, 1991 [1962]), chapter 1, pp.5-42 March 17: Herbert Marcuse and the Critique of Modern Consumer Society Readings: Herbert Marcuse, One-Dimensional Man (Boston: Beacon Press, 1964), pp.1-35, 247-257; Midterm Review March 19: IN-CLASS EXAMINATION March 24: Herbert Marcuse, the Modern Liberal Order, and the Concept of “Repressive Tolerance” Readings: Marcuse, “Repressive Tolerance,” in Andrew Feenberg & William Leiss, eds., The Essential Marcuse Reader (Boston: Beacon Press, [1965] 2007), pp.32-59 SECOND READING REFLECTION DUE March 26: Michel Foucault and the Critique of Modern Power Readings: Michel Foucault, “Truth and Power,” in Foucault, Power/Knowledge: Selected Interviews and other Writings (New York: Pantheon, [1977] 1980), pp.109-133 RETHINKING LIBERALISM, COMMUNITARIANISM, AND DELIBERATION: JUSTIFICATIONS OF RIGHTS, ORDER, AND PRINCIPLES OF JUSTICE March 31: John Rawls and the Reconstruction of Liberalism I Readings: John Rawls, Justice as Fairness: A Restatement (Cambridge, MA: The Belknap Press, 2001), Chapter 1, pp.1-38. FIRST DRAFT OF TERM PAPER DUE. April 2: John Rawls and the Reconstruction of Liberalism II Readings: John Rawls, Justice as Fairness: A Restatement, Chapter 2, pp.39-79 ***SPRING BREAK*** April 14: Michael Walzer and Communitarianism Readings: Michael Walzer, “The Communitarian Critique of Liberalism,” Political Theory 18, 1 (1990), pp.6-23 April 16: NO CLASS: Make-up TBD (Midwestern Political Science Association Meeting in Chicago) BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC SOVEREIGNTY AND HUMAN RIGHTS: COSMOPOLITANISM AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES April 21: Jürgen Habermas – Discourse Ethics and Deliberative Democracy Readings: Jürgen Habermas, “Three Normative Models of Democracy,” in Habermas, The Inclusion of the Other: Studies in Political Theory (Cambridge: Polity, 1998), pp.239-252 April 23: Jürgen Habermas – Cosmopolitan Democracy and Global Constitutionalism Readings: Jürgen Habermas: “Kant’s Idea of Perpetual Peace: At Two Hundred Years’ Historical Remote,” in Habermas, The Inclusion of the Other: Studies in Political Theory (Cambridge: Polity, 1998), pp.165-201 Additional Readings: Lars Rensmann, “Back to Kant? The Democratic Deficits of Habermas' Global Constitutionalism,” in Tom Bailey, ed., Deprovincializing Habermas: Global Perspectives (New Dehli and New York: Routledge, 2013), pp.27-49 April 28: Seyla Benhabib, Cosmopolitanism, Human Rights and Democratic Sovereignty Readings: Seyla Benhabib: “Claiming Rights Across Borders: International Human Rights and Democratic Sovereignty,” American Political Science Review, 103, 4 (2009): 691-704. TERM PAPER DUE. April 30: Appropriating Modern Traditions: Arendt, Adorno, and Cosmopolitanism Readings: Lars Rensmann, “Grounding Cosmopolitics: Rethinking Crimes against Humanity and Global Political Theory with Arendt and Adorno” in Lars Rensmann & Samir Gandesha, eds., Arendt and Adorno: Political and Philosophical Investigations (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2012), pp. 129-153   May 2-May 8: Final Colloquium (Look for Announcements)