GVPT 241 Winterterm 2011 Dr Glass Course Objective The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to major themes in the history of political theory We will look at selected issues in major theorists in the modern political tradition Machiavelli Hobbes Locke Rousseau and Marx will be the theorists covered in the course Because of the special Winterterm format of the course we will devote two or three sessions to each political theorist Also we will not be looking at the theory as a whole but at selected concepts and perspectives in each theorist Week I beginning on Thursday looks at Machiavelli and Hobbes Week II Hobbes and Locke and Week III Rousseau and Marx For Week I the themes under discussion will be political strategy and power for Week II disintegration and property and for Week III community equality Rousseau and alienation money and revolution Marx We will also use film as symbolic introduction to the theorists under examination Each film describes in imagery concepts that will occupy our attention in discussing the theorists After the films we will look at what the film conveys in the context of the theorists ideas We break up into small discussion sections to facilitate analysis Course Structure and Requirements Students are required to attend each class session At the beginning there will be a short lecture on the reading material We will spend the next two hours viewing the film We will then devote the remaining class time to discussion and analysis in the small sections Reading assignments will be tailored to two or three day segments covering each theorist Students will be graded on the following two short essays from 5 7 pages due every Tuesday in class The final exam will be combined with the third essay and will be due on the Monday following the end of the course Students will be expected to keep a journal of the films no more than a page or two for each film These journals are meant to reference your own reactions to the films and will not be graded Course Readings Machiavelli the Prince entire Hobbes Leviathan selections Locke The Second Treatise on Government selections Rousseau the Discourse on the Origins of Inequality entire Rousseau The Social Contract selections Marx Early Writings selections Schedule of Films and Readings Week 1 Machiavelli and Hobbes Meeting 1 Reading The Prince Film Dangerous Liaisons Concept Under Analysis Manipulation Meeting 2 Reading The Prince Film Wild Things Concept Under Analysis Action and Power Meeting 3 Reading Leviathan Selections Film Lord of the Flies Concept Under Analysis Fear Meeting 4 Reading Leviathan selections Film The Crucible Concept Under Analysis Sovereignty Week II Hobbes and Locke Meeting 1 Reading Leviathan selections Film Rosewood Concept Under Analysis Disintegration Meeting 2 Reading Second Treatise selections Film Wall Street Concept Under Analysis Property and Greed Meeting 3 Reading Second Treatise selections Film American Me Concept Under Analysis Civil Society and Its Limits Meeting 4 Reading Discourse on the Origin of Inequality Film Do the Right Thing Concept Under Analysis Inequality Week III Rousseau and Marx Meeting 1 Reading The Social Contract selections Film The Spitfire Grill Concept Under Analysis Community Meeting 2 Reading Marx alienated labor Film American Beauty Concept Under Analysis Exploitation Self Degradation Meeting 3 Reading Marx money Film Francis Concept Under Analysis Self Money and Society Meeting 4 Reading Marx private property and communism Film The Killing Fields Concept Under Analysis Marxian Revolution and Consequences Inclement Weather Policy In case of inclement weather we will make up classes the week following Winterterm Grading The weekly essays and the final examination will determine your course grade The two weekly essays will count 60 the Final Exam Essay 40 of your grade although some consideration will be given for improvement Class discussion is encouraged it can only help your grade for example if you are between two grades it can help move the grade up it will not hurt your grade Attendance is expected at all classes you are allowed two absences Any more need an explanation