POL 111 Politics September 2007 Becky Bowman bbowman cornellcollege edu Cell 319 480 3740 Main Topics 1 Political Thought 2 American Politics 3 Politics Among Nations Required Readings 1 Supplement 2 Machiavelli s The Prince 3 Communist Manifesto Extra Notes WARNING The first week of class will include a very large amount of reading Please pace yourself accordingly and try to read ahead as possible Honor Code I expect everything you do to be your own work If there are any questions about correct citations you should consult me or the writing center Anything that hints of plagiarism will be turned in for academic review ADA If you have a disability and need special assistance please let me know so that we can make appropriate arrangements General Rules for Discussion Much of our class will be thought based and opinion provoking Please be respectful or your classmates views Remember you may challenge another person s argument but not the person Use reason and not emotion in your thoughts and arguments 15 Day Drop Policy In order to be eligible for the 15 day drop students should be present at every class meeting and should have done all of the assigned work Attendance Policy Students are not expected to miss class as we will be covering so much material in a short time If you are sick or will need to miss please contact me through e mail or by phone Laptop Policy Because of the potential distraction laptops are not to be used during class If you have a medical need for computer assistance please let me know Please note for each class a student will be assigned to do a short presentation on two philosophers or world leaders I will do the first two on Plato and Socrates as a model In our first class you will choose two leaders Contact Please e mail me at bbowman cornellcollege edu I check my e mail often You may also call me any day before 10 PM at 319 480 3740 Also if you would like to make a separate appointment time for questions or extra help please let me know 1 1st WEEK POLITICAL THOUGHT Monday 9 10 Introductions Syllabus Requirements Explanation Discuss Concepts of Justice Discuss Plato and the early philosophers history Watch Introductory movie on Peloponnesian War if Time 10 11 Library Training A Report on Plato Bowman B Report on Socrates Bowman Homework for Tuesday 1 Supplement Classics of Western Philosophy Plato Pgs 118 120 121 126 133 154 160163 2 Supplement Peloponnesian War by Thucydides The Crawley Translation Pgs Vii xiv xxviii xxix 108 111 158 167 171 176 3 Report on Thucydides 4 Report on Homer 5 Report on Herodotus Tuesday 9 11 Wrap Up Plato Discussion Finish Peloponnesian War Movie Discussion Thucydides Peloponnesian War Homework for Wednesday 1 The Prince by Machiavelli Introduction Pgs Vii xxxi Dedicatory Letter pgs 3 4 Chapters I II III V VI VIII IX XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XX XXI XXIII 2 Report on Machiavelli Wednesday 1 3 Discuss Machiavelli s The Prince Discuss Paper Writing Tips Homework 1 Supplement Kant Political Writings Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Purpose and Perpetual Peace A Philosophical Sketch by Kant Pgs 41 60 93 105 2 Supplement Classics of Western Philosophy Utilitarianism by Mills Pgs 1015 1026 1037 1041 3 Report on Kant 4 Report on John Stuart Mill 5 Report on Adam Smith Thursday 9 10 45 Dismiss at 10 45 for Convocation Discuss Kant Perpetual Peace Brief Discussion Rousseau 2 Discuss Mills Utilitarianism Homework 1 Supplement Classics of Modern Political Theory Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith Pgs 531 533 and 537 539 2 Communist Manifesto Introduction and Chapters I II and IV 3 Supplement Manifesto Three Classic Essays on How to Change the World Pgs 169 171 4 Supplement Politics in a Changing World by Ethridge and Handelman Pgs 46 47 5 Report on Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels 6 Report on Che Guevara 7 Report on Rosa Luxemburg Friday 9 11 Writing Center Presentation Discuss Adam Smith Wealth of Nations Discuss Marx and Engel Communist Manifesto Homework 1 Supplement Averroes Commentary on Plato s Republic Rosenthal Pgs 111 122 2 Supplement Freedom and Unity Uhuru na Umoja by Julius K Nyerere Pgs 162 171 3 Report on Averroes Ibn Rushd 4 Report on Julius K Nyerere 5 Write Paper Outline for First Paper 2nd WEEK AMERICAN POLITICS Monday 9 11 PAPER OUTLINE FOR FIRST PAPER DUE Discuss Averroes Discuss Nyerere More on African Islamic Political Thought Homework 1 Write Paper Tuesday 1 3 Questions About Paper Founders Federalist Papers Basics of the Constitution Basics of Law Homework 1 Write Paper 3 Wednesday 1 3 FIRST PAPERS DUE AT 1 00 Recent U S elections and their ramifications Understanding the Electoral College International Reaction to U S elections and politics Potential 2008 Candidates Explanation of how to synopsize a judicial decision Homework FOR FRIDAY 1 Supplement Constitutional Law by Sullivan and Gunther Youngstown Sheet Tube Co v Sawyer The Steel Seizure Case Pgs 344 354 2 Supplement Constitutional Law by Sullivan and Gunther South Dakota v Dole Pgs 230 235 3 Report on Chief Justice John Roberts Thursday 9 11 30 Field Trip to Court and Jail Friday 9 11 Checks and Balances Steel Seizure Case South Dakota v Dole Homework 1 Supplement Constitutional Law by Sullivan and Gunther United States v Lopez Pgs 152 166 2 Supplement Constitutional Law 2005 Supplement by Sullivan and Gunther Gonzalez v Raich Pgs 1 11 3 Report on House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California 3rd WEEK POLITICS AMONG NATIONS Monday 9 11 SECOND SHORT PAPER RESPONSE DUE AT 9 00 Continue Discussion on the Spending and Commerce Clauses Lopez case Raich case Comparison of Lopez and Raich Future of Federal v State Powers Homework 1 Supplement Inside Colombia Drugs Democracy and War by Grace Livingstone Pgs 123133 144 145 147 153 171 174 2 Study South American map 4 3 4 5 6 Report on Felipe Calderon Mexico Report on Michaelle Jean Canada Governor General Report on Stephen Harper Canada Prime Minister Report on Hugo Chavez Venezuela Tuesday 1 3 South America map quiz Colombia and Inside Colombia Discussion Mexico NAFTA Discussion Venezuela Discussion Cuba Discussion Homework 1 Supplement Timeline of Key Events in Chechnya 1830 2004 from Infoplease Pgs 1 3 2 Handout Governments and Politics in Russia and the Post Soviet Region 3 Study Asian map 4 Report on Abdul Kalam Pres of India Manmohan Singh Prime Minister of India 5 Report on Hu Jintao China 6 Report on Chen Shui Bian Taiwan 7 Report on Shinzo Abe Japan 8 Report on Putin 9 Report on Sergei