Professor:

Syllabus PIDL 3701A: Contemporary Political Philosophy POLS 3701A: Contemporary Political Thought

Spring 2015 1:00-2:15 pm, MW, AH E156

Steven D. Weiss, Ph.D., Dept. of History, Anthropology and Philosophy Office: Allgood Hall, E215. Office hours: 11 :15-12:15 am, TR; 2:15-3:15 MW; and by appointment. Office phone: (706) 667-4461; dept. phone: (706) 737-1709; fax: (706) 729-2177 E-mail: sweiss@gru.edu

Required Texts:

Leslie Paul Thiele, Thinking Politics: Perspectives in Ancient, Modern and Postmodern Political Theory, 2nd ed. (New York: Chatham House Publishers, 2003).

Martha Nussbaum, Hiding From Humanity: Disgust, Shame, and the Law (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2004).

Course Description:

As a political theory class, we begin with a review of what a theory is, how it functions and how it is to be assessed; the interpretive and normative nature of political theory will also be discussed. We further consider the notions of human nature and biology and their relevance to political life. (This discussion will be of particular relevance when we examine Nussbaum's analysis of the role of emotion in law.) We also consider the nature of political power versus force; the distinction between the public realm and the private realm is also examined. Finally, we will briefly consider the salient differences between modernist, structuralist, poststructural and postmodem theories of politics. The remainder ofthe course is devoted to a close reading and analysis of Martha Nussbaum's Hidingfrom Humanity: Disgust, Shame, and the Law which examines the role of human emotion in law. We will critically evaluate Nussbaum's argument that appeals to disgust should never be use be used to render an act criminal, and should not play an aggravating or a mitigating role in criminal law, as currently is the case. We will also evaluate her thesis that shame is normatively unreliable in public life and that a liberal society should not engage in shaming forms of punishment but rather should protect its citizens from shaming.

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Course Requirements: 1. One short paper (3-4 pages, typed, double-spaced) due on the date indicated

below: 100 points. 2. Two longer papers - on the role of disgust and shame in the law (6-8 pages, typed,

double-spaced): 200 points each. Papers are due in class on the day announced; no emailed papers will be accepted. A letter grade (10 % of the points) will be deducted for each day the paper is turned in late; any paper more than two class dates late will not be accepted.

3. Two short (5 minutes) in-class presentations with handout: 50 points each.

Course Policies: I. Attendance is required and roll will be taken every class meeting. Students who

arrive late or leave early disrupt the class and may be marked absent at the professor' s discretion. Students are furthermore responsible for signing the attendance sheet for each class period: students who miss more than 4 class periods due to unexcused absences will be withdrawn from the course per university policy. An excused absence must be documented (e.g., doctor's note) and approved by the professor. An excused absence from class/exams will be granted only under special circumstances e.g., medical/court appointments. Whenever possible notifY the professor beforehand about any anticipated absences. Finally, students are expected to remain within the classroom for the duration of the period since walking in and out of classroom is disruptive.

2. Students are also required to check their university e-mail account prior to class in the event that the professor needs to update students on assignments, class activities or class cancellation.

3. Success in this course requires regular attendance and careful, timely reading of all assignments and good note taking. Hard and intelligent work will be rewarded with good grades and an understanding of ideas that can be used and enjoyed throughout your life. Mediocre work will be rewarded with half-knowledge and poor grades. Earning an "A" requires consistently excellent work; this is distinctly possible but requires regular attendance, hard work, keeping up with the readings, and taking notes.

4. Academic integrity is more important than receiving a good grade in the course. Please review the Academic Conduct Policy (3 .1.4) available at http;llpolicv.gru.edu/3-l-4-academic-conduct-policv/

5. Debate and discussion are encouraged in class, but no one has the right to monopolize the discussion and each of us is expected to respond thoughtfully and respectfully to those who express points of view different from ours. Consistently thoughtful and constructive participation in class will be taken into consideration when determining the final course grade; disruptive or disrespectful behavior that impedes classroom learning may result in course withdrawal.

6. Proper classroom decorum is the standard in higher education. According to university policy, eating is not allowed in the classroom; also sleeping is not

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allowed; cell phone use, and texting are not allowed in class. Laptop use is restricted to class-related work (please sit in the front row). Failure to comply with these rules is disruptive and may result in withdrawal from the course.

7. Students with disabilities who quality for services will receive the accommodations for which they are legally entitled. It is the responsibility of the student to register with the Office of Testing and Disability Services and follow their procedures for obtaining assistance. For more infonnation: http://policv.gru.edu/4-1- I-accommodating-students-with-Ieamin!! disabilities/

Grading scare: Grades will be calculated according to the following scales: 100-90% ................ A 600-540 points .............. A 89-80% ......... ..... ... . B 539-480 .. .. ..... .... ......... ... B 79-70% .. ................ C 479-420 ...... .. .... .. .. .... ..... C 69-60% .................. D 4 I 9-360 ......................... D Below60% .... ........ F Below 359 .. ...... .. ........... F

Course Objectives: The assignments require careful reading and re-reading. The first step in tackling a reading is to understand the problems, questions and issues at stake. The next step is to determine what assertions, claims and assumptions the author puts forward. The final step is to evaluate critically the author's assertions. What are the implications or consequences of hislher view? Has the author provide sufficient evidence or reasons to support hislher conclusion-and have they overlooked alternative ways of thinking about the problem or question under discussion? You should also consider your own beliefs and ideas and ask how you would modity or defend them in light of our discussion. Students are therefore expected to:

I. Gain an understanding of some of the major theories of contemporary political thought and the issues, questions and problems they address.

2. Learn how to recognize and critically evaluate political/philosophical beliefs and arguments.

3. Develop good reading and writing skills, i.e., learn how to read a text with attention to nuance and detail; learn to write clearly and cogently.

4. Develop one' s own reflective political/philosophical beliefs and ideas by testing them against competing points of view.

Course Schedule:

Week #1 Jan. 7: Introduction; pre-course assessment

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Week #2: Jan. 12: Jan. 14:

Week #3: Jan. 19: Jan. 21:

Week #4: Jan. 26: Jan. 28:

Week #5: Feb. 2: Feb. 4:

Week #6: Feb. 9: Feb. 11:

Week #7: Feb. 16: Feb. 18:

Week #8: Feb. 23:

Feb. 25:

Week #9: March 2: March 4:

Week #10: March 9: March II:

Week #11: March 16: March 18:

Thiele, ch. I, "Theory and Vision," pp. 1-25. Thiele, ch. I continued.

No class; MLK, Jr Holiday. Theiele, ch. 2, "The Question of Human Nature"; also, google Steven Pinker, "The Moral Instinct."

Thiele, ch. 3, "Politics, Power, and the Public Good," pp. 46-64. Thiele, ch. 3 continued.

Thiele, ch. 4, "Modernity and Postmodemity," pp. 82-99. Thiele, ch. 4 continued.

Nussbaum, Introduction, pp. 1-18; ch. I, "Emotions and Law," pp. 20-37. Nussbaum, ch. I, pp. 20-37

Nussbaum, ch. I, pp. 37-48. (Short theory paper due in class.) Nussbaum, ch. I, pp. 48-70.

Nussbaum, ch. 2, "Disgust and Our Animal Bodies," pp. 71 -87; also, google: Leon Kass, "The Wisdom of Repugnance," The New Republic, June 2,1997,17-26. Nussbaum, ch. 2, pp. 87-107.

Nussbaum,ch. 2,pp. 107-115. Nussbaum, ch. 3, "Disgust and the Law," pp. 124-\34.

Nussbaum, ch. 3, pp. \34-158. Nussbaum, ch. 3, pp. 158-171

Nussbaum, ch. 4, "Inscribing the Face: Shame and Stigma," pp. 172-189. Nussbaum, ch. 4, pp. 189-206.

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Week #12: March 23: March 25:

Week #13: March 30: April I:

Week #14: April 6: April 8:

Week #15: April 13: April 15:

Week #16: April 20: April 22:

Week #17: April 27:

Nussbaum, ch. 4, pp. 206-221. (Disgust paper due in class.) Nussbaum, ch. 5, "Shaming Citizens?" pp. 222-250.

Nussbaum, ch. 5, pp. 250-271. Nussbaum, ch. 5, pp. 271-279.

Spring break Spring break.

Nussbaum, ch. 6, "Protecting Citizens from Shame," pp. 280-296. Nussbaum, ch. 6,pp. 296-319.

Nussbaum, ch. 7, "Liberalism without Hiding?" pp. 321-335. Nussbaum, ch. 7, pp. 335-349.

Last day of class (Early bird special: 10 bonus points if Shame paper is turned in on last day of class. If you do not turn your paper in on the last class day. it must be submitted during the official final exam time; no emailed papers will be accepted.)

Final exam: Mon., May 4,3:30-5:30

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