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Social, Economic and Political Thought: Summer 2012
Social, Economic and Political Thought: Summer 2012
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SUMMER 2012
The Course
Social Science II is one of the many courses under the Social Science and Philosophy (SSP) domain of the Revitalized General Education Program (RGEP) of the University of the Philippines. As part of the SSP domain, Social Science II seeks to provide a general understanding and appreciation of the social, economic and political theories and ideas propounded by various philosophers from classical to contemporary periods. In order to guide us in our lessons, the course has three main objectives: (1) for students to acquire a basic knowledge of the origins and nature of various contemporary social, political, and economic concepts as these can be derived from the works of selected Western thinkers; (2) for students to have a knowledge of the ideas of selected Western thinkers as regards the nature of man; the nature of society; and the nature of the truth and reality; and (3) for students to know the difference between mainstream and alternative ideas and theories regarding the origin, nature, and dynamics of social, political, and economic institutions as well as values. Deviating from the usual handling of the course, which is a chronological discussion of the theories and ideas of various philosophers, we shall approach the course by themes. For Summer 2012, I have decided to divide the course discussion into five different themes: (1) human nature, (2) formation of political associations/ organizations, (3) power and authority, (4) virtues and values, and (5) change. While the approach maybe different, the course will still try to cover the usual topics under the following philosophers: Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Smith, Ricardo, Mill, Marx, Weber and Durkheim, albeit in an altered but more understandable fashion.
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Course Requirements
The course will have the following requirements. These requirements will be the bases of the students final grade. Note that the requirements seek to measure the performance of the student in the particular semester or term. Five Sit-In Essay Examinations (75) Each of the five essay examinations constitutes 15 per cent of your final grade, a total of 75 per cent for all five. The exams are in-class exams seeking to test the students understanding of the theories and ideas presented in classroom discussion and lectures. There will be no makeup exams for those who will miss it, except for those who were absent for medical reasons only. A certification issued by the University Health Service must be presented. Issue Presentation (15) Before the term ends, there will be issue presentations intended to measure how the students have understood the concepts, ideas, and theories learned in class and apply these in issues confronting us today. The class will be divided into five (5) groups where each group will be assigned to present for a maximum of 20 minutes on an issue. This will be settled later in the term. Groups that fail to present on their assigned day will receive a grade of zero (0). It is expected that each group member will cooperate and participate in the presentations. Free riders will not be tolerated. This requirement will constitute 15 per cent of your grade. Class Participation (10) Apart from in-class group work and activities, each student will be graded individually based on his or her performance every session. Students are expected to have read the required readings and are ready to engage in the class discussion. This requirement will constitute 10 per cent of your grade. While it is not required, students are also encouraged to read the recommended and suggested readings for deeper understanding of concepts and ideas and their application.
Course Text
Required Text Heywood, Andrew. 2004. Political Theory: An Introduction (3rd edition). New York: Palgrave. Morrow, John. 2005. A History of Western Political Thought (2nd edition). New York: Palgrave. Rosen, Michael and Jonathan Wolff. (eds). 1999. Political Thought. New York: Oxford University Press. Thiele, Leslie Paul. 2001. Thinking Politics: Perspectives in Ancient, Modern and Postmodern Political Thoery. New York: Seven Bridges Press. Suggested Texts and Materials Bennagen, Pia. 2002. A Study Guide to Social, Economic and Political Thought. Quezon City: UP Open University. Curtis, Michael. 1981. The Great Political Theories, Volume I and II. New York: Avon Books. Ebenstein, W. and Ebenstein, A. 2000. Great Political Thinkers: Plato to the Present. Singapore: Thomson. Gaarder, Jostein. 2001. Sophies World. London: Phoenix House. Heilbroner, Robert. 1999. The Worldly Philosophers. New York: Simon and Schuster. Hughes, J., P. Martin and W. Sharrock. 1995. Understanding Classical Sociology. London: Sage. Ronas, Malaya C. 1998. Angkan ni Socrates: Gabay sa Panimulang Talakayan sa Kaisipang Kanluran Hinggil sa Lipunan. Ekonomiya, at Politika. Lungsod Quezon: UP Sentro ng Wikang Filipino. Social Science II Committee. 1992. Readings in Social Science II. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press. Note: The texts identified in the outline found in the succeeding pages are not exhaustive. Students are advised to read the actual text by philosophers and/or look for other references suitable to their reading taste.
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Class Policies
On Intellectual Dishonesty Intellectual dishonesty in whatever form will not be tolerated. Any student whom the Instructor has sufficient evidence to believe has attempted or has engaged in one form of intellectual dishonesty or another involving any class requirement will receive an automatic 5.00 for the entire the course regardless of class standing, and will be referred for appropriate disciplinary action to the concerned University authorities. On Attendance Attendance does not formally constitute any part of the final grade. However, a bonus of .25 shall be added to the grade of a student who did not incur any absence or tardiness (whether excused or unexcused) during the entire term. As per University rule, a student is allowed to incur absences equivalent to 20 per cent of total class hours or five (5) sessions. Students with more than the allowable absences are encouraged to drop the course formally. Failure to drop formally will result in a grade of 5.00. Other Class Policies 1. Proper decorum is a must to ensure a harmonious and lively environment for discussion. Avoid unnecessary interruption. Attitude fitting for a college student is expected in class. 2. Use of mobile phones is strictly prohibited. All phones should be turned off or put in silent mode. Should the use of phone be inevitable, the student may silently exit the room without disrupting any on-going discussion. 3. No additional or special course work will be given to any student. 4. Eating is allowed inside the room except for any kind of food that may cause disturbance during class sessions. 5. Smiling is not prohibited.
Course Outline
Session 1 INTRODUCTION 16.IV.2012 Monday
What is Social Science II? What is social, economic and political thought? What is a theory? - Thiele, p. 1-11 THEME 1: HUMAN NATURE Session 2 HUMAN NATURE (1) 17.IV.2012 Tuesday
We start our discussion in this course by looking at the individual. In this session, we will discuss who is man in the state of nature. We will be inquiring on human nature as conceptualized primarily by Aristotle and the social contract thinkers Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau. We will also look into the religious views on human nature as suggested by Augustine and Aquinas and economic views as suggested by Smith and Marx. - Rosen and Wolff, p. 7-9, and I.a. 1 (Aristotle), 2 (Hobbes), 3 (Locke), 5 (Rousseau), 7 (Marx and Engels) - Heywood, p. 15-26 - Thiele, p. 26-34 Session 3 HUMAN NATURE (2) 18.IV.2012 Wednesday
This session will be a continuation of the discussions in previous session. Session 4 MAN AND WOMAN 19.IV.2012 Thursday
Philosophers did not only concern themselves with man in general, but also look at the distinction (or not) between sexes: man and woman. In this session, we will discuss how women were viewed by male philosophers from different periods. - Rosen and Wolff, I.b. 11 (Plato), 12 (Aristotle), 13 (Rousseau), 15 (Mill) Session 5 FIRST ESSAY EXAM 20.IV.2012 Friday
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Course Outline
THEME 2: POLITICAL ASSOCIATIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS Session 6 STATE: NATURE AND ORIGIN 23.IV.2012 Monday
In this session, we answer the question What is the state? The discussion focuses on how philosophers have conceptualized the beginning and purpose of the state, and its relevance to the society in general and individual in particular. - Rosen and Wolff, p. 52-53, and II.a. 18 (Locke), 19 (Weber) - Heywood, p. 75-87 Session 7 SOCIAL CONTRACT (1) 24.IV.2012 Tuesday
We will discuss in this session the three major social contract theories of the famous contractarians: Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau. In relation to the state, we will discuss how they conceptualized the state and its function. - Rosen and Wolff, II.b. 20 (Hobbes), 21 (Locke), 22 (Rousseau) - Ebenstein and Ebenstein, p. 355-379 (Hobbes), 380-407 (Locke), 442-472 (Rousseau) Session 8 SOCIAL CONTRACT (2) 25.IV.2012 Wednesday
This session will be a continuation of the discussions in previous session. Session 9 GOVERNMENT: FORMS 26.IV.2012 Thursday
In the final session for the second theme, we will survey the different forms of government. First, we will distinguish the state from government and society. Then, we will discuss the forms of government. - Rosen and Wolff, p. 7-9, and 1.a. 1 (Aristotle), 2 (Hobbes), 3 (Locke), 5 (Rousseau), 7 (Marx and Engels) - Heywood, p. 52-55, 65-74 - Morrow, chapters 8, 9, 10, 11 Session 10 SECOND ESSAY EXAM 27.IV.2012 Friday
Course Outline
THEME 3: POWER AND AUTHORITY Session 11 FORMS OF LEGITIMATE AUTHORITY 30.IV.2012 Monday
Following our discussion of the forms of government, we move to the forms of legitimate authority. We will discuss the different conception of power and authority. We will also look into the Weberian classification of legimitate authority. - Heywood, p. 122-142 - Hughes, Martin and Sharrock, p. 112-116 - Thiele, p. 46-63 Session 12 Session 13 NO CLASS (NATIONAL HOLIDAY - LABOR DAY) 01.V.2012 Tuesday LOCATING POLITICAL AUTHORITY 02.V.2012 Wednesday
Political authority can be in the hands of one, the few, or the many. In this session, we will discuss how philosophers located political authority and identified which is the most fitting system. - Morrow, chapters 5, 6, 7 Session 14 CHURCH AND STATE 03.V.2012 Thursday
The debate on the separation of the church and state has been widely discussion. We will take our part in the discussion by looking at the arguments posed by different philosophers about the role of the church and state in our society. - Morrow, p. 50-69 Session 15 THIRD ESSAY EXAM 04.V.2012 Friday THEME 4: VIRTUES AND VALUES Session 16 JUSTICE AND EQUALITY 07.V.2012 Monday
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Course Outline
We always hear people demand for justice and equality. But what are these concepts? In this session, we will discussion different definitions and conceptions of justice and equality. - Rosen and Wolff, V.c. 88 (Aristotle), 89 (Aristotle), 92 (Marx), - Heywood, p. 173-182; 285-294 - Thiele, p. 200-215 Session 17 LIBERTY AND RIGHTS 08.V.2012 Tuesday
Related to justice and equality are the concepts of liberty and rights. Philosophers have long argued the freedoms and rights of the people in various forms of government. We will discuss here how each philosopher have argued to expand or limit the liberty and rights of an individual. - Rosen and Wolff, p. 119-121, and IV.a. 49 (Constant), 50 (Berlin), 51 (Taylor), 52 (Dworkin); IV.e. 66 (Bentham), 67 (Marx), 68 (Nozick) - Heywood, p. 185-204, 253-264 - Thiele, p. 163-181 Session 18 DEMOCRACY 09.V.2012 Wednesday
Presently, democracy is the most acceptable form of government. What makes a society democratic? We will discuss the different views and takes on democracy, both those who favor and those who refuse a democratic society. - Rosen and Wolff, p. 89-90, and III.a. 34 (Plato); III.b. 36 (Rousseau), 38 (Mill), 39 (Rawls), III.d. 42 (Aristotle), III.e. 45 (Weber), III.f. 47 (Locke) - Heywood, p. 221-232 Session 19 ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND THE MARKET 10.V.2012 Thursday
Politics and economics are twins. In this session, we will discuss the concept of property, and the market. We will also discuss the role of government in the economy. - Rosen and Wolff, p. 187-189, and V.a. 73 (Locke), 74 (Rousseau), 77 (Marx), 78 (Marx); V.b. 82 (Smith), 83 (Marx), 7 (Marx and Engels) - Heilbroner, p. 42-74 (Smith) - Heywood, p. 317-324, 332-343
Course Outline
Session 20 FOURTH ESSAY EXAM 11.V.2012 Friday THEME 5: CHANGE Session 21 TOLERATION AND FREE EXPRESSION 14.V.2012 Monday
We step back and look at freedom. This time, we will look at the notion of toleration and freedom of expression. Later philosophers have theorized the necessity of tolerance and free expression in society. We will inquire on the nature of this freedom as key to significant change. - Ebenstein and Ebenstein, p. 578-623 (Mill) - Rosen and Wolff, IV.c 57 (Locke) - Heywood, p. 264-272 Session 22 SOCIALISM 15.V.2012 Tuesday
Socialism is one of the alternatives to liberal democracy. Focusing on the theories of Marx, we will discuss politics and economics of a socialist society. - Rosen and Wolff, VII.d. 118 (Marx), 119 (Marx), 120 (Marx) - Thiele, p. 139-153 Session 23 PROGRESS AND CIVILIZATION 16.V.2012 Wednesday
In this last lecture, we look at the changes brought by different developments in history and identify whether these changes positively or negatively affect the present society. - Rosen and Wolff, p. 366 and 127 (Rousseau), 128 (Smith), 130 (Marx), 133 (Weber) - Heywood, p. 353-363 - Thiele, p. 139-153 Session 24 ISSUE PRESENTATIONS 17.V.2012 Thursday
This session is dedicated for the issue presentations of the five presenting groups in class.
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Course Outline
Session 25 FIFTH ESSAY EXAM 18.V.2012 Friday
Grade Conversion
95-100 90-94 85-89 80-84 76-79 72-75 1.00 1.25 1.50 1.75 2.00 2.25 68-71 64-67 60-63 50-59 00-49 2.50 2.75 3.00 4.00 5.00
Dates to Remember
Course Examinations First Examination Second Examination Third Examination Fourth Examination Fifth Examination : : : : : 20 April 2012, Friday 27 April 2012, Friday 04 May 2012, Friday 11 May 2012, Friday 18 May 2012, Friday
University Schedule Midterm Last Day of Dropping End of Classes : : : 30 April 2012, Monday 09 May 2012, Wednesday 17 May 2012, Thursday
Consultation
Please send an email at least 24 hours before the day you want to consult to make sure that I am available and that no other students have filled in the time slot during regular consultation hours. You may also consult with me via email if there is no need to see me personally. Room 3001, Faculty Centre (Bulwagang Rizal) 1300-1600, Everyday [email protected] http://polscijrrg.wordpress.com +639266320058 | 9818500 local 2341