This course schedule is tentative and subject to change. Please consult with the instructor in class if there is any confusion regarding due dates for assignments.
| Week | Assignment |
| 1 | No class |
| 2 8/17-19 |
Distribute syllabus and discuss class
objectives Introduction, What is Political Theory? Read: Judith Shklar, "The Liberalism of Fear," copy provided by instructor George Kateb, "A Life of Fear," copy provided by instructor |
| 3 8/24-26 |
Read
Plato's Apology
(follow the link) Begin Unit 1: Wolin, Chapter 1, "Political Philosophy and Philosophy" Please see these YouTube Segments of an interview of Wolin by Bill Moyers here and here. |
| 4 8/31-9/2 |
8/31: Unit 1 cont., Wolin, Chapter 2,
"Plato: Political Philosophy versus Politics" 9/2: Unit 1 cont., Wolin Chapter 3, "The Age of Empire: Space and Community" |
| 5 9/7-9 |
9/7, Labor Day, no class 9/9: Unit 1, Chapter 4, "The Early Christian Era: Time and Community" Presentation 1 Presentation 2 |
| 6 9/ 14-16 |
9/14: Chapter 5, "Luther: The Theological and the Political"
Presentation 1 Presentation 2 9/16: Review Take-Homes Posted, 9/18 @ 5:00 PM |
| 7 9/ 21-23 |
9/21,
Review for Exam1 9/23: Unit 1 Examination |
| 8 9/28-30 |
Forming groups Josh's presentation on Calvin |
| 9 10/5-7 |
10/5: Introduction to Machiavelli Group 2 presentation: Machiavelli's "economy of violence" 10/7: Group 1 presentation: relationship between morality and politics |
| 10 10/ 12-14 |
10/12: Group 3: Ethics for Rulers 10/14: Introduction to Hobbes Group 2 presentation: Hobbes as the first liberal? |
| 11 10/19-21 |
10/19: Group 3 presentation: Hobbes
the first "Modern"? 10/21: Group 1 presentation: the state of nature Posted Take-Home Exam |
| 12 10/26-28 |
10/26:
Unit 2
Examination 10/28: Begin Unit 3 Discussion of John Locke |
| 13 11/2-4 |
11/02: Group presentation on Locke 11/04: Out of town |
| 14 11/9-11 |
11/09:Conclude Locke 11/11: Group presentation on Rousseau |
| 15 11/16-18 |
11/16: Group presentation on Rousseau 11/18: Group presentation on Burke |
| 16 11/23-25 |
11/23:
Group presentation on Burke 11/25, Thanksgiving, No Class |
| 17 11/30-12/2 |
11/30: Summary and Review Posted: Take-Home Examination 12/02: Study Session |
| 18 12/07 |
Final Examination: Unit 3 Examination |