PHL 230 Section 001: Political Philosophy

No prerequisites; this course is not open to students who have take PHL 220.

Should we have a government at all? What powers does a legitimate government

exercise over citizens? What does a just society look like? These are some of the

central questions of political philosophy. In this course, we seek to answer these

questions using the tools of philosophical investigation. We will consider different

viewpoints and theories on the value of democracy, freedom, rights, and economic

justice. This course serves as an introduction to central debates in political philosophy,

and no prior exposure to the subject is presumed.

Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

·      Explain the problem of political authority and how social contract theory aims to

address this problem

·      Explain main opposing viewpoints on economic justice and be able to identify

social policies that reflect these different perspectives

·      Explain different conceptions of freedom and identify social policies that promote

or impede instantiations of these different conceptions

·      Explain the posited virtues and challenges of democracy and be able to identify

real-life instantiations of these

·      Identify and critically evaluate the main argument of a philosophical text

i. Introduction and background

ii. Social contract theory

·       Hobbes

·       Locke

iii. Utilitarianism

iv. Economic Justice

v. Who should rule?

·       Assessing the value of

Democracy

vi. Freedom

·      What does it mean to be free?

·      How should the state ideally

protect the freedom of citizens?

·      Egalitarianism

·      Libertarianism

Assessment

Exam #1…………….……………….…..25%

Exam #2 …………………………….…..25%

Exam #3…..…….……………………….30%

Homework………………………...…….15%

Participation………………………….….5%

Homework. I will regularly assign homework. Typically you will be required to write

about half a page typed, explaining and/or evaluating main ideas from the readings.

These will be graded on a pass/fail basis. There will generally be one homework

assignment per week. Further guidelines and details of specific assignments will be

posted on the course website.

Participation. Participation in classroom discussions and activities is expected. Your

participation grade will be based on regularly making thoughtful contributions to

classroom discussions. Inappropriate classroom conduct will negatively affect your

participation grade. Such conduct includes: making rude or condescending comments,

speaking out of turn, acting disruptively, reading materials unrelated to class, regularly

arriving to class late or leaving early without informing the instructor, and the use of

laptops or cell phones.

98-100 = A+    93-97 = A        90-92 = A-

87-89 = B+      83-86 = B        80-82 = B-

77-79 = C+     73-76 = C       70-72 = C-     

67-69 = D+      63-66 = D        60-62 = D-

< 60 = F

Note:

I do not round up final course grades: e.g. an 89.99 = B+

Missed exams. Make-ups for missed exams will only be permitted in two cases, both of

which require supporting documentation: (1) If you know in advance you will miss a

exam for a legitimate reason, let me know by email at least one week before the exam

to make appropriate arrangements, or (2) If an emergency arises that results in missing

a exam, you must let me know by email within three days of the original exam date to

make appropriate arrangements. If you have not made arrangements with me as per

these two conditions, you will receive a ?0? for the given exam without exception. The

only opportunity to make up either the first or second exams will be at 10am, Saturday,

April 6 (location TBD). In the absence of documentation for both the original missed

exam and the make-up exam slot, students will not be permitted to make up the missed

exam at any other time and will receive a ?0? for the given exam. Accepted documented

excuses include serious medical issues or emergencies.

All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student.

The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.

If you are registered with the Office of Disability Services, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss any course accommodations that may be necessary. If you have a disability, but have not contacted the Office of Disability Services, please call 348-4285 or visit 133-B Martha Parham Hall East to register for services. Students who may need course adaptations because of a disability are welcome to make an appointment to see me during office hours. Students with disabilities must be registered with the Office of Disability Services, 133-B Martha Parham Hall East, before receiving academic adjustments.

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