Course ID: | POLS 8080. 3 hours. |
Course Title: | Problems in Political Philosophy |
Course Description: | Selected problems in political philosophy, including the nature of justice; the functions of government; the ground of legitimate authority; the scope of individual rights; the foundations of democratic government; political obligation, civil disobedience, and revolution; the meaning of responsibility; and views of human nature and their political relevance. |
Oasis Title: | PROB IN POL PHIL |
Semester Course Offered: | Not offered on a regular basis. |
Grading System: | A-F (Traditional) |
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Course Objectives: | We will explore how political theorists have tried to deal with the problems posed by
rhetoric, either by displacing or taming rhetoric, or by re-thinking rhetoric to deal
with potential ethical and political problems. We will also explore how they have
tried to utilize components of rhetoric – especially the institutions involved in its
practice and the methods used to create persuasion - in constructing their political
theories.
In addition, we will explore different interpretations of the relationship between
rhetoric and democratic politics, ranging from its social and political foundations
to the idea of publicity to the nature of persuasion. To what extent is rhetoric,
especially oratory, democratic? Does it rely on certain modes of political
organization? If it is normally linked to democracy, is it good for democracy? If
not, what other kinds of communication might take its place? Are there better kinds
of rhetoric, and is there such a thing as “just rhetoric”? Is rhetoric by its nature
dangerous, or can it be tamed?
It is essential that participants in this seminar actively and enthusiastically take
part in discussion, as the seminar is a mutual learning environment. All participants
are expected to come to seminar prepared to engage in discussion (that is, having
read carefully the required reading), and to engage in discussion (that is, with
ideas, concerns, and questions organized). To foster and encourage participation, it
will comprise 30% of the overall grade. |
Topical Outline: | The course centers on detailed reading and discussion of the following texts:
Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War
Plato, Gorgias
Plato, Phaedrus
Cicero, On Duties
Tacitus, Dialogue on Orators
Machiavelli, The Discourses
Machiavelli, The Prince
Hobbes, Leviathan
Rousseau, On the Social Contract
Rawls, “The Idea of Public Reason Revisited”
Gutmann and Thompson, Why Deliberative Democracy?
Garsten, Saving Persuasion |
Honor Code Reference: | All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty."
Students are responsible for informing themselves about these standards before
performing academic work. The penalties for academic dishonesty are severe and
ignorance is not an acceptable defense. Also note that the course syllabus is a
general plan for the course and that deviations announced to the class by the
instructor may be necessary. (www.uga.edu/ovpi/academic_honesty/academic_honesty.htm) |