GVPT 241 Winterterm, 2007 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 LimitsMeeting 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 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