This course seeks to provide an introduction to the study of politics by reading and discussing works of social and political theory. It is not a survey course in the history of political philosophy. Rather, it is a focused exploration of the relationship between power and justice in political life. Some questions to be asked are: What is political power? How is it related to other forms of power? What is justice? What role do claims of justice play in political life?
The first part of the course focuses on two dominant models of politics. According to the first, politics is continuous with war; conflicts born of scarce resources and unruly passions can be controlled only through violence and deception. According to the second, politics is akin to trade or commerce; conflicts of interest can be managed through reason, cooperation, and exchange.
The remainder of the course uses these two models to explore relations of power and justice in the lives of ordinary men and women in liberal-democratic states. Modern citizenship is not confined to overtly political activities and concerns. It is in the world of work, in voluntary associations, and in intimate relationships, that modern citizens find (and lose) meaning, identity, social standing, and self-respect.
Political Science 13 is an introductory course, and assumes no previous study of political theory. Materials range from political pamphlets and philosophical treatises to court decisions, works of literature, and short films.
Regular attendance of lectures, and participation in discussion sections. (10% of grade)
A four-page (1500 word) paper, due 23 April. (25% of grade)
A two-page (750 word) report of an interview concerning work and labor, due 7 May. (10% of grade)
A four-page (1500 word) paper, due 28 May. (25% of grade)
A two-hour in-class final examination, to be given Wednesday, 12 June, 11:30 – 1:30. (30% of grade)
The following books are available at the University Bookstore:
Machiavelli, Selected Political Writings (Hackett)
Mill, On Liberty (Hackett)
Ellison, Invisible Man (Vintage)
All other texts are collected in a reader available from Soft Reserves. This volume includes study questions for each section of the course. All texts (with the exception of Invisible Man) and study questions are also available on-line; instructions for use of electronic reserves will be given the first day of class. Films will be shown in lecture.
My office is SSB 373. My phone number is 534-2951; my email address is ahouston@ucsd.edu. My office hours are Mondays, 1:30 – 3:00. I am also available by appointment.
Niccolò Machiavelli
The Prince
The Discourses (Bk. I [preface, chs. 1-6, 11, 12, 43]; Bk. II [preface, ch. 2]; Bk. III [ch. 1])
John Stuart Mill
On Liberty (chs. 1 – 4)
Studs Terkel
Working
Martha Nussbaum
“’Whether from Reason or Prejudice’: Taking Money for Bodily Services”
Adam Smith
“The Division of Labor”
Karl Marx
“Two Factors of the Commodity,” “Sale and Purchase of Labor-Power,” and “Alienated Labor”
Charlie Chaplin
Modern Times (video)
Arlie Hochschild
“There’s No Place Like Work”
Susan Moller Okin
“Vulnerability by Marriage”
Henry David Thoreau
“Economy”
3. Citizenship and Standing (9 – 23 May)
13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution
Plessy v. Ferguson, 163 US 537
Booker T. Washington
“Atlanta Exposition Address”
W.E.B. DuBois
“Of Our Spiritual Strivings” and “Of Mr. Booker T. Washington and Others”
Ralph Ellison
Invisible Man (Prologue; chs. 1, 2, 6, 8 - 10, 13, 14, 16, 20 - 25; Epilogue)
4. Inequality and Domination (28 May – 6 June)
Judith Shklar
“The Liberalism of Fear”
No Lies (video)
Catherine MacKinnon
“Sexuality”
Katie Roiphe
“The Rape Crisis, or ‘Is Dating Dangerous?’”
Martha Nussbaum
“Sexual Violence and Preference-Deformation”