9/1/2024 2:37:05 AM |
| Changed Course |
CATALOG INFORMATION
|
Discipline and Nbr:
POLS 18 | Title:
POLITICAL THEORY |
|
Full Title:
Political Theory |
Last Reviewed:5/8/2023 |
Units | Course Hours per Week | | Nbr of Weeks | Course Hours Total |
Maximum | 3.00 | Lecture Scheduled | 3.00 | 17.5 max. | Lecture Scheduled | 52.50 |
Minimum | 3.00 | Lab Scheduled | 0 | 17.5 min. | Lab Scheduled | 0 |
| Contact DHR | 0 | | Contact DHR | 0 |
| Contact Total | 3.00 | | Contact Total | 52.50 |
|
| Non-contact DHR | 0 | | Non-contact DHR Total | 0 |
| Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00 | Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 | |
Title 5 Category:
AA Degree Applicable
Grading:
Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:
00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As:
Formerly:
Catalog Description:
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An introduction to the history of political thought from Plato to the present. A survey of political writings from ancient, medieval and modern sources. Topics include answers to questions, such as the nature of justice and the relationship of the individual to the state, as well as ideologies, such as marxism and liberalism.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Recommended Preparation:
Completion of ENGL 100B or ENGL 100.
Limits on Enrollment:
Schedule of Classes Information
Description:
Untitled document
An introduction to the history of political thought from Plato to the present. A survey of political writings from ancient, medieval and modern sources. Topics include answers to questions, such as the nature of justice and the relationship of the individual to the state, as well as ideologies, such as marxism and liberalism.
(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Completion of ENGL 100B or ENGL 100.
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;UC.
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
Associate Degree: | Effective: | Fall 1981
| Inactive: | |
Area: | D
| Social and Behavioral Sciences
|
|
CSU GE: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| D | Social Science | Fall 1997 | |
| D8 | Political Science, Govt, Legal Instutns | | |
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IGETC: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
| 4 | Social and Behavioral Science | Fall 1981 | |
| 4H | Political Science:Govt and Legal Instutn | | |
|
CSU Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 1981 | Inactive: | |
|
UC Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Fall 1981 | Inactive: | |
|
C-ID: |
CID Descriptor: POLS 120 | Introduction to Political Theory and Thought | SRJC Equivalent Course(s): POLS18 |
Certificate/Major Applicable:
Not Certificate/Major Applicable
COURSE CONTENT
Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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The students will:
1. Define and explain the scope, purpose, and methodology that will
be used to organize and structure the subject matter in the course.
2. Record notes from their reading in the textbook.
3. Record notes from the lectures given in class.
4. Discuss their point of view in class discussions.
5. Demonstrate communication and analytical skill level on exams.
6. Use information learned from the textbook and lectures on exams.
7. Compose and contrast the various theories and ideologies we study
in the course in class discussion and on exams.
8. Evaluate the various theories and ideologies we study in the course
in class discussion and on exams.
9. Describe and evaluate one or more theories or ideologies we study
in the course in a term paper. (required)
10. Participate in group readings of primary sources.
11. Demonstrate an ability to apply written political theories to
contemporary events in class discussions and/or exams.
Topics and Scope
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1. Introduction to the course.
A. The scope and purpose of the course.
B. Review syllabus.
C. Review textbook(s).
2. The Nature of Politics and Development of Political Thought.
A. Classical Era
B. Medieval Era
C. Modern Era
3. Classical Political Thought
A. Historical setting in Ancient Greece
B. Plato
C. Aristotle
4. Medieval Political Thought
A. The Emergence of Christianity in Europe
B. Catholic Theorists (Augustine/Aquinas)
C. Protestant Theorists (Luther/Calvin)
5. Modern Political Thought
A. A Shift in the Medieval Paradigm
B. Machiavelli
C. Hobbes
6. The Rise of Liberalism
A. The Emergence of Individual Rights
B. Locke
C. Smith
D. The Federalists
E. Mill
7. The Conservative Reaction
A. The Spread of Democracy
B. Burke
C. Tocqueville
8. The Communitarian Response
A. The Emergence of Capitalism and Industrial Social
B. Rousseau
C. Marx
D. Communism and socialism in theory and practice since Marx
9. Critiques of Modern Civil Society
A. Nietzsche
B. Nationalism and Fascism
C. Feminist Critiques
D. Environmentalism
10. Political Theory Today
A. Contemporary Theorists (Rawls, Nozick, communitarians)
B. Theory, Ideology and the World Today
C. Overview of the Course
Assignments:
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1. Read and study appropriate chapters in the textbook.
2. Regular attendance and extensive notetaking in class is expected
and assumed.
3. Preparation for in-class, closed book, no notes essay exams.
4. Participate in in-class discussion and readings.
5. Complete term paper
Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing. | Writing 20 - 40% |
Written homework, Essay exams, Term papers | |
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving 20 - 40% |
Homework problems, Exams | |
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations 0 - 0% |
None | |
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams 20 - 40% |
Multiple choice | |
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category 10 - 20% |
Participation in in-class discussion and readings. | |
Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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PRIMARY SOURCES:
PRINCETON READINGS IN POLITICAL THOUGHT, Mitchell Cohen and Nicole Fermon,
eds. Princeton University Press 1996.
GREAT POLITICAL THEORIES, VOLS, I & II, Michael Curtis, ed. Avon Books,
Rev. ed. 1985 & 1987.
SECONDARY SOURCES:
POLITICAL THINKING, POLITICAL THEORY, AND CIVIL SOCIETY, Steven Delue.
Allyn and Bacon, 1997.
RECONSTRUCTING THE CLASSICS: POLITICAL THEORY FROM PLATO TO MARX, Edward
Bryan Portis. Chatham House Publishers, 1994.
POLITICAL QUESTIONS: POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY FROM PLATO TO RAWLS 2nd ed.
Larry Arnhart. Waveland Press, 1993.
TEXTS WHICH COMBINE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SOURCES.
GREAT POLITICAL THINKERS: PLATO TO THE PRESENT, 5th ed. William and
Alan O. Ebenstein. Harcourt Brace, 1991.
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