1
Pols 302.01
Pol. Sci. 302.01
Spring 2013
History of Political Theory II: Ethics and Politics
Overview:
It is no secret that political science as an intellectual project in Egypt is currently facing insurmountable obstacles. One can say without exaggeration that it simply failed in its mission. Following Chantal Mouffee’s advice to seek insight in the works of conservative thinkers, this course will seek to follow Leo Strauss’s attempt to reexamine the classical tradition of political science grounded in the works of Plato and Aristotle. By focusing mainly on Aristotle’s Ethics, this classical text will be utilized as a force of attraction for other ideas and traditions in political theory. As such, this course will attempt to surmount the canons of modern political science, like value-freedom, objectivity, and separation of politics and ethics, in the hope of instigating a paradigmatic shift, away from the dominant trends in the field of political science, and closer to the classical tradition of political science.
Professor: Mohamed Soffar
Classes:M/R 5:00-6:15,
Office Hours:R 4:00-5:00, (or by appointment)
Office:2027 HUSS
E-mail:
Assignments/Evaluation:
Participation20%
Presentations10%
Midterm Essay30%
Final essay40% (abstract 10% + final 30%)
A) Participation: All students should be aware that participation is heavily weighted and is meant to stimulate lively classroom discussion. There is no correct interpretation or opinion about a given text, but there are degrees of value for argumentation and reasonability. Students are therefore highly encouraged to voice their opinions and to offer challenging commentary in class, but to do so with an emphasis upon justification, coherence and reasoning. Excellent participation means consistent and ongoing contribution to our discussion and analysis of the texts. Students are required to bring the daily reading to class.
B) Presentations: All students will choose a subject and date for a presentation. Presentations will be evaluated on the basis of analytical clarity, critical thinking and comprehensiveness. THE PRESENTATION IS NOT A BOOK REPORT and SUMMARY COVERAGE WILL NOT MERIT HIGHER THAN A SATISFACTORY, PASSING GRADE. This is an opportunity to examine the author’s main arguments and to offer insightful analysis, criticism and commentary which is independent and creative. Presentations should run between 10 and 15 minutes and be organized for this time length. A written summary (2-4 pages) of the presentation is due on the same day.
C) Course Papers:
i)Midterm Essay: Each student will be responsible for writing a midterm paper. In this essay, you will try to apply a concept or a set of concepts to a current event. That is, you will attempt to analyze and take a stance with regard to a certain issue under the guidance of a concept, idea, theme, or method that you will pick from your readings. THIS PAPER REQUIRES AN ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAY FORM AND SHOULD PRESENT AND DEFEND A CLEARLY STATED THESIS. Midterm papers should be between 7 and 10 pages in length (300 words/page) and are worth 30% of the total grade.
Midterm Essay deadline: March 25
ii)Final Essay: Students will choose a biography or an autobiography of any politician/revolutionary/rebel/statesman in order to examine and evaluate his life achievement or magnum opus against the background of Aristotle’s Ethics. The essay is an opportunity for you to present and defend a thesis in an argumentative essay format. The use of well-researched support from secondary textual sources is encouraged. Any reading/s or author/s on the syllabus may be used. The final essay is made up of two parts:
a) Abstract: Students will be responsible for submitting an abstract approximately 1 month prior to the final deadline. This abstract will be worth 10% and will provide you with feedback useful to the completion of the final essay. The draft submission should be at least 2 pages long (300 words/page). This paper is expected to present an argument and substantial defense of a thesis.
Abstract submission deadline: April 4
b) Final Essay Submission: After receiving feedback on their draft submission, students will have a chance to revise and develop their papers. Given the feedback on all previous assignments, it will be assumed that students will have a full understanding of the demands of the argumentative essay form and will be graded accordingly. Essays will be considered and graded in consideration of the progress made on the draft. Final submission length is 10-15 pages long (300 words/page).
Final submission deadline: May 9
Should you have any concerns whatsoever regarding academic writing and the development of an argumentative paper, I strongly suggest you visit the AUC writing center where you can drop-in for feedback and support on your papers before, during or after the writing process: http://www.aucegypt.edu/academics/resources/writingcenter/Pages/default.aspx. The writing center also has an excellent, step by step guide to academic paper writing here: http://www.aucegypt.edu/academic/writers/. You may also request a sample essay from me. Essays which do not adhere to the argumentative format will not merit higher than a satisfactory grade.
D) Note on Attendance: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of every class. If, for unavoidable reasons, you are unable to make it to a class on time, you are welcome to join us when you are able. However, students who arrive after attendance has been taken will not be counted as present. Chronic lateness and absence is unacceptable. Absences will result in a lowered participation grade.
E) NOTE ON DEPARTMENT PLAGIARISM POLICY: The discovery of any instance of plagiarism will result in an automatic “F” for the course with no opportunity for withdrawal from the course. This will be in addition to the filing of a report on the incident with the Academic Integrity Committee, as mandated by university policy. If you are uncertain about the definition of plagiarism, please ask me before submitting work for this course.
Course Outline:
Date:Topic and Reading:
February:
4Course overview; orientation, questions
7 Political Theory as an Academic Discipline
Leo Strauss, What can we learn from political theory? pp. 515-29.
14 The Relationship between ethics and politics
Chantal Mouffee, On the Political, chapters 1& 2, pp. 1-34.
18/21 The main characteristics of Greek Political Philosophy
Leo Strauss, On Classical Political Philosophy,
Aristotle’s Ethics and Classical Political Science
25/28 Book I.
March:
4 Book II.
7/11 Book III.
14/18 Book IV.
21/25 Book V.
28/ 1st Book VI.
April:
4/8 Book VII.
11/15 Book VIII.
18/22 Book IX.
May:
9/13 Book X.
16 Conclusion: Aristotle’s ethics-based political science