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GVPT 100: Principles of Government and PoliticsAutumn Semester, 20087:30-8:45, Tydings 1132Instructor: B. NewtonEmail: [email protected] Hours: 6:30-7:15, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Tydings 3104D“An Enlightened Argument in Action”This course introduces students to the principles of government andpolitics, is a required course for majors of Government and Politicsand counts as a core course for university requirements. GVPT 100cannot be a comprehensive course—-political science is an exceedinglylarge discipline and any such attempt would mean sacrificing qualityfor quantity. Thus we will be working thematically, analyzing what isgeneral and applying it to what is particular.We will be focusing on the following themes: the modern politicalproject generally, the American experiment specifically,constitutionalism, democratic theory, practice and critique. The"principles of government and politics" are first introduced in ananalysis of modernity, being the general aims of the Enlightenmentproject (Part One). These aims are then narrowed specifically to theAmerican experiment, observing how Enlightenment arguments wereinterpreted and applied in practice over time to their contemporaryform (Part Two). Finally, we consider the future of democraticpractice, both in the creation of an imaginary republic and from thecritique of democracy’s discontents (Part Three). Course Requirements:Evaluation for credit will be based on three short essays (750-1000words or 3-4 double-spaced pages), two in-class essay examinations andintelligent classroom participation. Essays and examinations countfor 90 percent of the student’s grade; the remaining 10 percent fromclassroom discussions.Short essay topics will be given the class before they are due, essaysbeing handed in on September 23, October 9 and November 18. Lateessays will be penalized 1/3 a letter grade (e.g., from A to A-) eachday late. Essays handed in more than seven days late will not beaccepted.The first in-class examination will be on October 30, the second, afinal examination, December 16. No make-ups will be permitted.Classroom conduct as well as academic honestly is strictly enforced asper UMD policy. The UMD policy respecting religious observances isfollowed; students are to report their intended absence no later thanOctober 1. To be excused for any other absence, illness or otherwise,written documentation is required. More than three unexcused absenceswill result in a failing grade.Course Books:Kramnick, The Portable Enlightenment ReaderHamilton, Madison and Jay, The Federalist PapersStoring, The Anti-FederalistAckerman, We the People: TransformationsMurphy, Constitutional DemocracyDahl, Democracy and Its CriticsRosen, The Supreme Court (recommended)Reading Schedule:Note bene: Students are to have prepared reading selections beforeeach class. Expect to be called on in class frequently.IntroductionSept. 2: Syllabus and Course OverviewPart One: An Enlightened ArgumentBook: The Portable Enlightenment ReaderSept. 4: An Overview of the Enlightenment SpiritKramnick, Introduction, pgs. ix-xxiiiKant, What is Enlightenment?Diderot, “Encyclopedie”Condorcet, The Future Progress of the Human MindSept. 9: Reason and NatureCondorcet, The Utility of ScienceFranklin, Letter to Joseph PriestlyThe Economist, “Nothing to lose but their chains” (to be distributed)Sept. 11: Reason and GodLocke, A Letter Concerning TolerationMontesquieu, “If there is a God...”Voltaire, Reflections on ReligionJefferson, “Religion...my views on it...”Franklin, “Something of my religion...”The Economist, “Flags veils and sharia”; “A narrow scrape for democracy” (to be distributed)Sept. 16: Reason and Society IHistory and Progress:Bolingbroke, The Utility of HistoryTurgot, On ProgressRousseau, A Critique of ProgressVoltaire, In Defense of ModernityThe Economy and Markets:Addison, The Royal ExchangeSmith, The Wealth of NationsSept. 18: Reason and Society IIPolitics and the State:Locke, The Second Treatise of Civil GovernmentMontesquieu, The Spirit of the LawsVoltaire, Political EssaysPaine, Common SenseThe American Declaration of IndependenceThe Declaration of the Rights of Man and the CitizenFirst Essay Topic GivenSept. 23: ReviewFirst Essay DuePart Two: The American ExperimentSept. 25: Proponents of the Constitution IThe Articles of ConfederationThe Constitution of the United StatesThe Federalist, Nos. 1, 6, 9, 10, 15, 23Sept. 30: Proponents of the Constitution IIThe Federalist, Nos. 39, 47, 51, 63, 68, 70, 78Oct. 2: Opponents of the Constitution IThe Anti-Federalist, Essays of Brutus, Nos. 1-7Oct. 7: Opponents of the Constitution IIThe Anti-Federalist, Essays of Brutus, Nos. 11-16Second Essay Topic GivenOct. 9: ReviewSecond Essay DueOct. 14: Higher LawmakingWe the People: Transformations, Chapters to be AnnouncedOct. 16: The FederalistsWe the People: Transformations, Chapters to be AnnouncedOct. 21: ReconstructionWe the People: Transformations, Chapters to be AnnouncedOct. 23: The New DealWe the People: Transformations, Chapters to be AnnouncedOct. 28: ReviewOct. 30: First ExaminationPart Three: Democracy and Its Discontents Nov. 4: Creating a Constitutional Democracy IConstitutional Democracy, Chapter 1Nov. 6: Creating a Constitutional Democracy IIConstitutional Democracy, Chapter 2Nov. 11: Creating a Constitutional Democracy IIIConstitutional Democracy, Chapter 3Nov. 13: Creating a Constitutional Democracy IVConstitutional Democracy, Chapter 4Third Essay Topic GivenNov. 18: ReviewThird Essay DueNov. 20: A Theory of the Democratic Process IDemocracy and Its Critics, Chapters 6-7Nov. 25: A Theory of the Democratic Process IIDemocracy and Its Critics, Chapters 8-9Nov. 27: Thanksgiving, No ClassDec. 2: Problems in the Democratic Process IDemocracy and Its Critics, Chapters 10, 14Dec. 4: Problems in the Democratic Process IIDemocracy and Its Critics, Chapters 12-13Dec. 9: The Limits and Possibilities of DemocracyDemocracy and Its Critics, Chapters 20-21Dec. 11: ReviewDec. 16: Final


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