EARLY MODERN POLITICAL THEORY
PS 3210 (01) DR. ROBERT HUNT
FALL 2010 DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
Office hours: Monday, 11:00 – 1:00 PM,
Tuesday, 1:15 – 3:15 PM
Wednesday,11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Thursday, 1:15 – 3:15 PM
Hutchinson Hall, Room J-105A, 908-737-3994.
e-mail:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
European Political Thought from the 15th to the 19th
century, with special emphasis upon the major theorists
and their contribution to the development of Political
Theory.
OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE:
1. To introduce the student to the principal European
political theories from the 15th to the 19th
centuries.
2. To attempt to develop in the student an awareness of
the frame of reference and scope of the problems with
which these thinkers dealt.
3. To survey the chief solutions offered by the modern
Western peoples to the problem of human conduct.
REQUIRED TEXTS: (available at the campus bookstore)
Klosko, George. History of Political Theory: An
Introduction; to Modern Political Theory (Boston:
Wadsworth, 1995). ISBN: 978-0-03-074014-5
Bolt, Robert. A Man For All Seasons (New York:
Knopf Doubleday, 1990). ISBN: 978-0-679-72822-1
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Two full-period exams, worth 60% of the fine grade (30%
each). Tentative dates: October 21d and December 16.
Term paper, worth 30% of the final grade. Each student
will be asked to write a short (5-7 typed, double-spaced
pages) critical analysis of the moral and political
issues raised in Robert Bolt's A Man For All Seasons.
The student will be asked to compare, contrast, and
evaluate the views on statecraft propounded by
Machiavelli and Sir Thomas More. (Due date: December 2,
no extensions)
Class Participation, worth 10% of the final grade. The
instructor will assign selected readings from the
assigned texts to facilitate class discussions. Active
participation in class, and familiarity with the assigned
readings, will have a positive effect on a borderline
final grade. Unpreparedness for a topic of discussion
(i.e. non-familiarity with assigned readings) will have a
negative effect on a final grade.
Make-up Exams: If a student misses the mid-term exam, for
whatever reason, and wishes to take a make-up exam, five
points will be subtracted from the final grade for that
particular exam. If a student fails to take a make-up
exam, he or she will receive a zero for the particular
grade. There will be no make-ups for final exams.
Students are encouraged to meet with the instructorduring
regularly scheduled office hours to discuss class-related problems.
Students are responsible for becoming familiar with, and will be held accountable for, the Kean University Academic Integrity Policy and the Student Code of Conduct. The Academic Integrity Policy is available at or the Web site for The guide at and the Student Code of Conduct is available at or the Web site for The Guide at
DATES TO REMEMBER:
September 8 - Last day to WD with 100% refund
September 15 - Last day to WD with 75% refund
September 22 - Last day to WD with 50% refund, declare course as audit, pass/fail
October 28 - Last day to withdraw with W grade
MAJOR TOPICS FOR CLASS DISCUSSION AND ASSIGNED READINGS:
1. The Backdrop for Modern Political Thought: Classical
and Medieval Political Thought.
Readings: Klosko, Introduction
2. The Renaissance and Machiavelli
Readings: Klosko, Chapter 1
3. The Protestant Reformation: Luther and Calvin.
4. The Rise of Naturalistic Politics: Hobbes and Spinoza
Readings: Klosko, Chapter 2
5. The Glorious Revolution and John Locke.
Readings: Klosko, Chapter 3
6. The Enlightenment and the Philosophes.
7. Custom as the Basis for Politics: Hume and Montesquieu.
Readings: Klosko, Chapters 4 and 5
8. Rousseau and the Revolt against Reason.
Reading: Klosko, Chapter 6
9. Burke and the Foundations For Political Conservatism
Reading: Klosko, Chapter 7
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