FACULTY OF BUSINESS

Department of Political Science and International Relations

PSIR 216 | Course Introduction and Application Information

Course Name
Modern Political Thought
Code
Semester
Theory
(hour/week)
Application/Lab
(hour/week)
Local Credits
ECTS
PSIR 216
Spring
3
0
3
6

Prerequisites
None
Course Language
English
Course Type
Required
Course Level
First Cycle
Mode of Delivery -
Teaching Methods and Techniques of the Course -
Course Coordinator
Course Lecturer(s)
Assistant(s)
Course Objectives The purpose of this course is twofold: to introduce students to the fundamental questions and concepts of modern political thought and to encourage them to consider contemporary political issues from a critical perspective.
Learning Outcomes The students who succeeded in this course;
  • to evaluate core ideas in modern political thought
  • to interpret seminal texts in modern political thought in relation to their historical contexts
  • to think critically and creatively about key ethical and political questions
  • to assess the ethical foundations of politics
  • to apply modern political thought to contemporary public debates
Course Description The course will take the form of an intensive, analytical reading of some of the seminal texts of modern political thought, written by some of its most influential thinkers. Particular attention will be paid to the moral foundations of political thinking, including such concepts as freedom, citizenship, cosmopolitan right, democracy and equality. Among the political philosophers to be studied are Rousseau, Kant, Mill, and Marx.

 



Course Category

Core Courses
X
Major Area Courses
Supportive Courses
Media and Management Skills Courses
Transferable Skill Courses

 

WEEKLY SUBJECTS AND RELATED PREPARATION STUDIES

Week Subjects Related Preparation
1 Introduction to Modern Political Thought: The Age of Enlightenment and Politics
2 Rousseau’s Critique of Inequality Rousseau, “Discourse on the Origins and Foundations of Inequality Among Men” Basic Political Writings, (Hackett, 1987), 25-81.
3 Rousseau’s Critique of Inequality Rousseau, “Discourse on the Origins and Foundations of Inequality Among Men” Basic Political Writings, (Hackett, 1987), 25-81.
4 Rousseau’s Republicanism: The General Will and Freedom Rousseau, “On The Social Contract” Basic Political Writings, (Hackett, 1987), 141-172.
5 Rousseau’s Republicanism: Democratic Sovereignty and Citizenship Rousseau, “On The Social Contract” Basic Political Writings, (Hackett, 1987), 173-227.
6 American Republicanism: Representative Government James Madison, The Federalist Papers, No. 10.
7 Midterm Exam I
8 Kant on Enlightenment and Cosmopolitanism Kant, “What is Enlightenment?” “Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Purpose”, Kant’s Political Writings (Cambridge University Press, 1996), 41-60.
9 Kant’s Conception of Global Peace and Cosmopolitan Right Kant, “Perpetual Peace”, Kant’s Political Writings (Cambridge University Press, 1996).
10 Mill’s Conception of Liberty John Stuart Mill, “On Liberty”, On Liberty and Other Essays, (Oxford University Press, 1998)
11 Mill: Liberty and the Tyranny of the Majority John Stuart Mill, “On Liberty”, On Liberty and Other Essays, (Oxford University Press, 1998)
12 Midterm II
13 Marx: Critique of Religion Marx, “On the Jewish Question”, The Marx-Engels Reader (W.W. Norton & Company, 1978), 26-52.
14 Marx: Critique of Capitalism Marx, “Wage Labour and Capital”, The Marx-Engels Reader (W.W. Norton & Company, 1978), 203-217.
15 Fascism, Racism, and Discrimination Umberto Eco, “Ur-Fascism”, Five Moral Pieces (Mariner Books, 2002); Martin Luther King, The “I have a Dream” Speech (DVD)
16 Final Exam

 

Course Notes/Textbooks

1. Rousseau, “Discourse on the Origins and Foundations of Inequality Among Men” & “Social Contract”, Basic Political Writings.

2. James Madison, The Federalist Papers, No. 10.

3. Kant, “What is Enlightenment?”, “Idea for a Universal History with a Cosmopolitan Purpose” & “Perpetual Peace”, Political Writings.

4. Mill, “On Liberty”, On Liberty and Other Essays.

5. Marx, “On the Jewish Question” & “Wage Labour and Capital”, The Marx-Engels Reader.

6. Umberto Eco, “Ur-Fascism”, Five Moral Pieces.

7. Bernhard Schlink, The Reader.

Suggested Readings/Materials

References

Iain Hampsher-Monk, AHistory of Modern Political Thought (Blackwell, 1992). 

Leo Strauss and Joseph Cropsey, History of Political PhilosophyUniversity of Chicago Press, 1987. 

David Miller, Janet Coleman, William Connolly and Alan Ryan (ed), The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Political Thought (Blackwell, 1987). 

 

EVALUATION SYSTEM

Semester Activities Number Weigthing
Participation
Laboratory / Application
Field Work
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
Portfolio
Homework / Assignments
Presentation / Jury
Project
1
20
Seminar / Workshop
Oral Exams
Midterm
2
50
Final Exam
1
30
Total

Weighting of Semester Activities on the Final Grade
3
70
Weighting of End-of-Semester Activities on the Final Grade
1
30
Total

ECTS / WORKLOAD TABLE

Semester Activities Number Duration (Hours) Workload
Theoretical Course Hours
(Including exam week: 16 x total hours)
16
3
48
Laboratory / Application Hours
(Including exam week: '.16.' x total hours)
16
0
Study Hours Out of Class
12
3
36
Field Work
0
Quizzes / Studio Critiques
0
Portfolio
0
Homework / Assignments
0
Presentation / Jury
0
Project
1
30
30
Seminar / Workshop
0
Oral Exam
0
Midterms
2
18
36
Final Exam
1
20
20
    Total
170

 

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAM QUALIFICATIONS RELATIONSHIP

#
Program Competencies/Outcomes
* Contribution Level
1
2
3
4
5
1

To be able to use the theoretical and practical knowledge acquired in the areas of Political Science and International Relations.

X
2

To be able to have the basic knowledge of, and make use of other disciplines which contribute to the areas of Political Science and International Relations.

3

To be able to distinguish the differences between classical and contemporary theories and to assess their relationship.

X
4

To be able to recognize regional and global issues, and develop solutions based on research.

5

To be able to assess the acquired knowledge and skills in the areas of Political Science and International Relations critically.

X
6

To be able to transfer ideas and proposals on issues in the areas of Political Science and International Relations to other people and institutions verbally and in writing.

7

To be able to identify the historical continuity and changes observed in the relations between the actors and institutions of national and international politics.

8

To be able to examine concepts, theories, and developments with scientific methods in the areas of Political Science and International Relations.

X
9

To be able to take responsibility as an individual and as a team member.

X
10

To be able to act in accordance with the scientific and ethical values in studies related to Political Science and International Relations.

X
11

To be able to collect data in the areas of Political Science and International Relations and communicate with colleagues in a foreign language ("European Language Portfolio Global Scale", Level B1).

12

To be able to speak a second foreign at a medium level of fluency efficiently.

13

To be able to relate the knowledge accumulated throughout human history to their field of experience.

*1 Lowest, 2 Low, 3 Average, 4 High, 5 Highest

 


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