Office hours:
MW 8:15-9, 12:30-1:00; TR 8:15-9:15,
10:45-11:15; 12:30-2:00; F 8:15-9, 1:30-2:15; or by appt.
Website: http://eaglenet.lambuth.edu go to faculty
pages, click on my name
I. The purpose of this course is to
introduce the student to some of the primary concepts of political theory, and
for students to explore some of the fundamental questions that are the
foundation of political theory. During the first part of the course we will
explore some basic political ideologies, and then for the rest of the semester,
we will consider some of the fundamental questions about politics and political
society that human beings have been trying to answer for thousands of years.
Some of these questions are difficult—some might even say impossible—to answer,
but answers are necessary if we are to understand how we can best structure the
communities in which we live, and why we structure them in the ways that we do.
The objectives of this course will be to understand some basic political ideologies, as well as some general philosophical issues surrounding some of the most important questions about politics and political society, to consider those questions critically, and for the student to begin to articulate—both on paper and in open discussion—feelings about, and answers to, those questions.
Because POL 2013W is designated as a
writing course for the Lambuth core
curriculum, the quality and effectiveness of written communication by the
student is stressed. Students are
strongly recommended to have a guide to English grammar and syntax for use
while completing the writing assignments for this class, as grammar and syntax
will considered heavily in writing assignment evaluations.
II. Required texts: Roger Eatwell and Anthony
Wright, eds. Contemporary Political
Ideologies (2nd ed.); Glenn Tinder, Political Thinking; William Golding, Lord of the Flies; George Orwell, 1984
III. Class Policies: STUDENTS
ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND ALL CLASSES. Excessive absences will be
noted, will hurt your grade, and you will miss important material that is not
in the books.
Class participation, measured both through attendance and in-class
contributions, will be an important part of the final grade. In-class
discussions and debates comprise an important part of the course; therefore,
adequate preparation for class is essential. Assigned material must be
read before class as students will be expected to be able to discuss the
readings and to ask, as well as to answer, questions pertinent to the readings
for the day. Late papers are accepted only until the day before the next paper is
due, will be penalized five points for each day late and may not be
rewritten.
·
Cheating or plagiarism will result in failure of the assignment and
possibly the course. Serious incidents will be referred to the appropriate
administrative authorities for further action.
·
Except in unusual circumstances, I do not allow
electronic recording devices in the classroom.
·
Disabilities: Reasonable accommodations
will be made for students with a verified disability. Please let me know as
soon as possible.
·
NOTE: Any noticeable cell phone activity in class may result in grade
penalties.
Exceptions may
be pre-arranged.
IV. Final grades will be based on a 500 point scale: Text quizzes = 50 points
possible; four (4) analytical essays @ 100 points each = 400 points; class
participation = 50 points
460+
= A; 459-405 = B; 340-404 = C; 339-290 = D; 289-0 = F (Letter grades may also have ‘plus’ or ‘minus’)
Active participation, attitude, effort and
attendance will also influence final
grades.
V. Essays: Throughout this semester,
each student will write four (4)
analytical essays. Essays must be word processed or typewritten and NO LESS
than four (4) but NO MORE than five (5) double-spaced pages of text (not
including the required title
page, or bibliography/reference list/endnotes pages) with one-inch margins (right, left, top, bottom). In addition to the
quality of analytical content, grammar, spelling, syntax, etc., will count
substantially.
V. Essays (continued):
The first essay will focus on the first
section of the course considering fundamental political ideologies. This essay
is basically a position paper in which the student will argue which political
ideology is best as a foundation for the socio-political arrangement of
society, which is the worst, and why. The essay must include a critical
analysis of the chosen ideologies, including both advantages and disadvantages
of the specific ideologies, and of course, why the specific ideologies were
selected.
The final
three essays address themes found in the readings by Tinder and in the novels.
The second and third essays should connect one theme
or problem from the novels (Lord of the
Flies will the be the first one; 1984,
the second) with one question from Tinder. In the essays, you should
show me specifically how the theme or problem from the book connects with one
of Tinder’s questions, explore the meaning(s) of this connection, and indicate
clearly how the connection is of political significance in a sophisticated,
analytical, and carefully constructed essay. Do NOT write a “book report” or a
plot summary, please.
For the final
essay, the student will take one
of the questions in Tinder, show how it connects with some current political or
social issue relevant today. This may be a local, state, national, or
international issue, so long as the essay shows clearly and specifically how
the issue chosen relates to the question that has been selected from Tinder.
·
The first TWO essays will be
allowed one rewrite each, as long as they are turned in on time initially.
VI. Topics to be covered by
lectures and readings:
E&W=Eatwell and Wright
week 3
(1/29, 1/31): Marxism, Communism,
Socialism (E&W, chs. 4, 5); 1/29
Quiz 2 E&W, chs. 4, 5
week 4 (2/5, 2/7):
Marxism, Communism, Socialism (E&W, chs. 4, 5)
Golding,
chs. 6-12
week
11 (3/18, 3/20): Human nature, the
individual, and society (Tinder, chs. 2, 3) 3/18 Quiz 6 Tinder, ch. 4;
week 13 (4/1, 4/3):
Power (Tinder, chs. 4, 5, 6)
week 14 (4/8, 4/10): Power
(Tinder, chs. 4, 5, 6) Third Essay due 4/11 (Friday)
week 15 (4/15, 4/17): The
future (Tinder, ch. 7) 4/15 Quiz 8
Tinder, ch. 6
week 16 (4/22, 4/24):
Conclusions
Fourth essay
due by May 6, 10:00am
No
class: February 14
Spring
Break: March 10–13
Second
essay: March 20