Course Description

In this course we will examine the tensions that exist between religious commitment and political authority in the western world. Using current debates about the role of religion in political life as our jumping off point, we will turn back to the “radical enlightenment” of seventeenth century Europe. By exploring various aspects of what might be called “the theological-political problem” in the early modern era, we will assess the origin and character of political authority in the west. We will compare the early modern responses of Hobbes, Spinoza, Locke, Voltaire, Hume, and Rousseau with a wide range of contemporary thinkers, including Rawls, Habermas, and Pope Benedict . Along the way we will ask how these theoretical arguments might relate to our practical understanding of religion and politics in the modern world.

If you encounter difficulty with the readings or the assignments, please do not hesitate to speak to me after class or during office hours. You may also want to take advantage of Academic Support Center if you have a learning disability or the Writing Place if you would like help with your writing (x3288).

Expectations

The word “seminar” is derived from the Latin word seminarium meaning “seed plot.” As advanced students of political theory, we are trying together to create a fertile habitat for ideas to grow. We are intellectual farmers. Just as farmers need to learn how to nurture seeds and pull weeds, we need to learn how to read, discuss, research, and write so that good ideas flourish (and bad ones don’t kill off the crop!). To this end, we should expect ourselves and others to be careful readers, energetic discussants, and conscientious scholars. One of the challenges of this course in particular will be organizing your time during the term so that you are able both to read and discuss our common texts in class and work steadily on your individual research. To do this well, you will need to start exploring potential research topics as soon as possible.

We should expect each other to read the texts carefully and completely, to come to class on time, to participate actively in discussions, and to produce original work. (If you have any questions about plagiarism, please contact me).

Assignments

Participation [10% of course grade] Since our classes will be based on the discussion of readings, you will all be expected to read the assigned readings carefully before each class and participate in discussions every week. Regular and active participation may nudge your grade upwards (at my discretion) and repeated absences will propel your grade downwards.

Response Papers [20%] You will be expected to help lead discussion (with partners) at least three times during the term. For each discussion you lead, you will be required to submit a two-page response to that day’s reading.

Each response paper will begin with a question that stems from your reading of the text. A good paper will possess a coherent and clear thesis, a well-supported argument, an explanation of how the paper might fit into the larger themes of the course, and flawless grammar.

The papers will be sent to all of the members of the seminar the night before class. No late response papers will be accepted! The papers will be graded as either unsatisfactory (5 points), satisfactory (8 points), or excellent (10 points). You will be given 10 points for showing up on the first day. A total of 40 points will be possible for this assignment. 

Seminar Project [70% of course grade] The bulk of your time will be spent on a seminar project exploring a particular topic related to the theme of our seminar. You will choose your topic, yet it must stem from readings, arguments, or authors we encounter in class. The project will be divided into several stages.

1.Prospectus with Annotated Bibliography [10%] Due October 8, 2008. The prospectus is a brief statement of the projected paper topic. It includes a) the problem you propose to discuss; b) your tentative thesis; and c) a brief sketch of the argument you will make.  In addition, you will be expected to include an annotated bibliography that cites at least three sources (books, articles, etc.) with a brief description of how the author in each case addresses your proposed topic (i.e., brief outline of the argument, interpretation, etc.).

2.Outline [10%] Due November 6, 2008. You must turn in a complete outline of your paper.  It will include a) full presentation of your topic (including problem and thesis); b) a detailed, point by point, presentation of your argument (including references to the specific primary and secondary texts that support your points); c) possible objections to your argument; d) your response to the objections; and d) a conclusion. 

3.Preliminary Draft and Abstract [10%] Due November 20, 2008. The seminar paper should be around 10-15 pages. The paper should be supported with ample evidence from primary and secondary sources. At the same time, you must also turn in an abstract of your essay (one page or less in length). This should be a summary of your thesis, argument, and conclusion. Make two hard copies of your draft (for your peer reviewer and me). You will need to send your abstract to everyone in the course.

4.Editing and Review [10%] Due December 3, 2008. A crucial part of good writing is good editing and revising. You will be expected to comment on the style and content of a fellow seminar member’s draft. You will write up your comments, which should be no more than two pages and no less than one page in length (double-spaced). Make two copies of your comments. One copy should go to the author and one to me.

5.Paper Conferences  [10%] The conference will be devoted to a presentation and discussion of paper topics.  Each author will give a five-minute, prepared presentation of his or her paper.  This need not be a summary (each student will already have read the abstract) but might focus on one or two key points.  The assigned commentator will then give a five-minute response, in which he or she will address the points raised by the author's presentation or some other interesting aspect of the paper.  There will then be time for questions and reactions from the other students. 

6.Final Draft and Portfolio [20%] Due December 15, 2008. In your final draft I expect you to revise your essay in light of all the comments (both regarding style and content) you received. Grading of the final draft will be based on both the quality of the completed work and also the extent to which you have improved the rough draft. Along with your final draft, you will be expected to turn in all of your work for the course (including your notes used to lead class discussion). You will also submit a short (1-2 page) reflection on your work during the term. 

Books to be Purchased

Required: Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, ed. by Edwin Curley (Hackett, 1994).

John Locke, Political Writings, ed. by David Wootton (Hackett, 1993).

Baruch Spinoza, Theological-Political Treatise, trans. Samuel Shirley (Hackett, 2001).

John Rawls, Justice as Fairness: A Restatement (Harvard, 2001)

Supplemental Readings for Seminar in Political Theory

Recommended: Diana Hacker, A Writer’s Reference (Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007) or Kate Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Chicago, 1996).