POLITICAL SCIENCE 371
(History of Politicall Philosophy II)
Fall, 2005B 9:30 TR
Young 106
Robert M. Gill, Ph.D.

The course syllabus is posted on the departmental website. The web-site syllabus will NOT be updated over the course of the semester.

TEXTBOOK AND READINGS:

Nelson, Western Political Thought
Hobbes, Leviathan
Locke, Second Treatise on Government
Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France

PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE:

The participation policy in force in this class is based on two considerations: 1) Due to the nature of the material covered in the course and the way the class will be conducted, regular attendance is essential. You must come to class regularly and on time. 2) Over the course of the semester, most students will occasionally need to miss a class.

In light of these considerations, the following policy will be in effect: 1) Any student who misses more than FIVE classes will not be eligible for curves on tests and semester grades once the limit of five cuts has been passed. 2) Any student who misses more than NINE classes will have her/his grade lowered by one letter for each cut after the eighth.

The roll will be called at the beginning of each period. Students who arrive after the roll-call will be counted absent.

You must save your cuts to cover such situations as personal illness and family emergencies. Ordinarily, the only exception will be students who miss more than the number of times allowed due to their participation in official, university-sponsored activities such as R.U. team sports. Students who anticipate having to miss class because of such activities should notify the professor PRIOR to the anticipated absences.

TESTS: Three tests will be given, covering reading assignments, lectures, and class discussions.

GRADES: Each of the three tests will count equally in computing your final course grade.

HONOR SYSTEM

The Radford honor system is intended to foster an atmosphere of trust and respect which facilitates both learning and personal growth. By accepting admission to the university, each student makes a commitment to understand, support, and abide by the University Honor Code without compromise or exception. Violations of academic integrity will not be tolerated. This class will be conducted in strict observance of the Honor Code. Please refer to your Student Handbook for details.

READING ASSIGNMENTS

It is the student= s responsibility to be informed of changes in dates and assignments, as announced in class.

DATES TOPICS READINGS

Aug. 23 Introduction (none)

Aug. 25,30 Machiavelli and A Modernity@ Nelson, pp. 137-156

Sept. 1 The Protestant Reformation (none)

Sept. 6 The 17^th Century Background (none)

Sept. 8,13,15,20 Hobbes Nelson, pp. 193-218; Leviathan

Sept. 22 FIRST TEST

Sept. 27,29; Oct. 4 Locke Nelson, pp. 193-218 Second Treatise. . .

Oct. 6 The Enlightenment (none)

Oct. 11, 13 Rousseau Nelson, pp. 221-253

Oct. 18 SECOND TEST

Oct. 20,25,27; Nov.1 Burke and Conservatism Nelson, pp. 259-278; Reflections. . .

Nov. 3,8 Utilitarianism and Liberalism Nelson, pp. 281-323

Nov. 10 Positivism and the Search for a (none)

A Scientific@ Politics

Nov. 15 Socialism before Marx (none)

Nov. 17,29; Dec.1,6 Hegel Nelson, pp.

Dec.8 Wrap-Up (none)

FINAL TEST: 8 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 15