Introduction to Political Science

Spring 2004

Dr. Dickson PB&J 285, x4013, dickson@sandiego.edu

Office Hours: MW: 12-2; F 12-1

PART I: Introduction

Jan.

26 Overview of the course.

II. Thinking about Politics: Two Political Sciences

28 Politics: Conflict Resolution or Community Building? Kann (Reader) Chapters 1 & 2

30 Value and Politics: Kann, Chapter 3

Feb.

2 Pluralism and Elitism: Kann, Chapter 4

4 Toward a Science of Politics? I : Kann, Chapter 5

6 Toward a Science of Politics? II : Kann, Chapter 6

III. Who Should Rule?

A. Why The Few Should Rule: Authoritarianism, Absolutism, and Totalitarianism

9 Plato's Republic (e-reserve includes Currie, Plato on the State and Plato on Democracy)

11 Hobbes' Leviathan (Reader)

13 Machiavelli on authoritarian government (Reader, The Prince); John Adams on the natural aristocracy (Reader, Volume II- from The Conservative Reader)

16 Lenin on authoritarian leadership (Reader, What is To Be Done?; The State and Revolution)

18 Arendt, (Reader, Totalitarianism, Totalitarian Movements Seeking Power)

20 Arendt, (Totalitarianism, Totalitarian Movements in Power)

23 MOVIE! (Obedience). Read the first half of Huxley, Brave New World

25 Critique of Totalitarianism: Huxley, Brave New World

27 MOVIE! Critique of Authoritarianism: Dr. Strangelove

Mar.

1 Dr. Strangelove Concluded

3 Mid-Term Exam

B. Why The Many Should Rule: Liberal and Participatory Democracy

1. Liberal Democracy

5 Locke (read all of Locke, both e-reserve and xerox readings)

8 Fall Holiday

10 James Madison on liberty, government, and faction: Federalist Nos. 10,51 (Reader)

12 John Stuart Mill on liberty (e-reserve)

2. Participatory Democracy

22 Machiavelli (Reader, Discourses), de Tocqueville (Reader)

24 Engels (Reader, "Socialism, Scientific and Utopian")

26 Arendt (Reader, The Human Condition)

29 Rousseau (Reader, Social Contract)

3.Democracy in Practice and Critiques of Democracy

31 Democracy in Theory and Practice (Huntington, Sklar- both in the Reader).

April

2 Critique of Democracy: Aristophanes, Clouds, Wasps (read Wasps only until Chowhound's trial ends and the dancing begins); Vonnegut, "Harrison Bergeron" (Reader)

5 Democracy and Bureaucracy: Yes, Prime Minister (e-reserve)

7 A critique of Liberalism: "Occidentalism" (e-reserve)

C. Why Each Should Rule: Anarchy and Libertarianism

14 Kropotkin on Anarchy and Nozick on Libertarianism (Reader)

16 Catch-up and QUIZ

IV. Theories of Change and Development: Revolution and Conservation

A. What is a Revolution?: American and French models

19 Arendt, On Revolution, (first half of reading)

21 Arendt, On Revolution, (second half of reading)

B. Is Violence Necessary?

23 Luxemburg, Reform or Revolution, with Bernstein, "Evolutionary Socialism" (an appendix to the Luxemburg reading); Lenin, "Left Wing" Communism-- An Infantile Disease

C. Putting the Brakes On Change and Development

26 Conservatism: The Wisdom of Conservation: (Reader: The Conservative Reader: Introduction; Readings by Edmund Burke)

28 Dependency Theory: The Dark Side of the Status Quo: (Reader: Marx, Valenzuela and Valenzuela, Tony Smith)

V. Law and Politics

30 Frank, chs. 1-4

May

2 Frank, chs. 5-8

5 Frank, chs. 9-12

7 Frank, chs. 15, 17-19

10 The Supreme Court. Woodward and Armstrong, The Brethren (e-reserve)

FINAL EXAM: 7:50 class: May 17 @ 8-10 8:55 class: May 19 @ 8-10am

You might be able to take either exam, depending on available space. You must

get prior permission from me before changing your regularly scheduled exam date.

==============

Required Texts:

Aristophanes, The Three Comedies Huxley, Brave New World

Frank, Courts on Trial Xerox Reader E-Reserve readings

E-reserve is found on-line at the Copley Library website. Try the following link:

http://copleylib.sandiego.edu/

Course Procedures, Goals and Free Advice

This class is intended to provide the broadest possible overview of the discipline of political science. It is designed for those interested in politics, those thinking of becoming political science majors, and for juniors and seniors trying to slide by in a class they should have taken years ago. The breadth of the subject matter requires that we move rather quickly, only briefly touching some of the central areas that preoccupy most modern political scientists. As a result, you must keep up to date on the readings or you may find yourself quietly slipping behind-- and with an exam always lurking just around the corner... well, it's just too grim to think about.

The Socratic Method:

This course will consist of an on-going dialogue between students and the professor. There will be few, if any, lectures in the traditional sense. While this style of teaching may be new to some of you and might cause you some anxious moments early in the semester, you will soon grow more comfortable with the way the class is conducted. You will learn not simply to absorb information passively, but will be encouraged to think for yourselves and to think on your feet. In the end you will develop a more independent, dynamic understanding of the course materials than would be possible in a conventional classroom.

You must come to class fully prepared to discuss the topics of the day. I will select two or three people each day, and question them intensively. Your class participation grade depends upon your willingness and ability to respond to my questions with thoughtful answers. The need for you to have an informed opinion underlines the need to keep abreast of the readings. You have one "free" absence or pass when called upon, but any further passes or absences will count against you (absences count against you more than passes, but too many of either will cause your grade to go south).

No one has a monopoly on truth. The point of discussion is to air our thoughts and sharpen our opinions on the matters at issue. You are of course free to disagree with the professor's point of view; so long as the ideas you express are honestly held, show some thought, and can be thoughtfully (and politely) defended, you will be fine.

Your grade will be based on exams and class participation. There are no make-up exams and no one will be allowed to take the final exam either early or late. There are only two known exceptions to these two rules: serious illness or death- and both require my prior permission. Please note that wanting to go home early for vacation is NOT a valid excuse to reschedule an exam. To protect the integrity of exams and to prevent unnecessary disruptions, no one will be allowed to leave the classroom and return during exams. Good luck!

Grading:

Mid-Term Exam: 25%

Quiz: 5%

Final Exam: 50%

Class Participation: 20%