Course Title: Classics of Modern Political Philosophy Course Code: PHI 61 Instructor: Admir Skodo Course Summary: This course will be fairly challenging in terms of the content and amount of readings (up to 100 pages per week), but the reward of putting in the work will be a solid grasp of the major political philosophies in the modern era (late 17th century – 20th century). We will focus on reading substantial excerpts from major political philosophical works (which will be made available electronically on Canvas). However, for those who wish to gain an overview of modern political thought, the following book is recommended: Iain Hampsher-Monk, A History of Modern Political Thought: Major Political Thinkers from Hobbes to Marx (Oxford and Cambridge, MA: Blackwell, 1993). *Please see course page for full description and additional details. Grade Options and Requirements: No Grade Requested (NGR) This is the default option. No work will be required; no credit shall be received; no proof of attendance can be provided. Credit/No Credit (CR/NC) Score will be determined by student attendance and participation. In order to earn credit, the student must attend and actively participate in a minimum of 7 sessions. Letter Grade (A, B, C, D, No Pass) A 6-7 page take-home essay will determine a student’s grade. The topic/questions for the essay will be released two weeks prior to the last session. *Please Note: If you require proof that you completed a Continuing Studies course for any reason (for example, employer reimbursement), you must choose either the Letter Grade or Credit/No Credit option. Courses taken for NGR will not appear on official transcripts or grade reports. Weekly Outline: Students will prepare for each week’s session by reading and reflecting on the major concepts, principles, and arguments of the assigned text. I will open every week’s session by briefly discussing the significance of the assigned text before moving on to a student-centred discussion, that is, we will be discussing the questions, thoughts, and critiques that you raise in the classroom. Week 1: Introduction In this introductory session we will discuss some of the defining features of modern political philosophy, which will help us contextualize the readings in a long-term perspective. Week 2: Liberalism (John Locke) Reading: John Locke, “The Second Treatise: An Essay Concerning the True Original, Extent, and End of Civil Government,” in Two Treatises of Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration, ed. Ian Shapiro (New Haven, CN: Yale University Press, 2003), Chapters I-XIII. Recommended: Hampsher-Monk, A History of Modern Political Thought, Chapter II. Week 3: Liberalism (J.S. Mill) Reading: J.S. Mill, “On Liberty,” in On Liberty and Other Essays, ed. John Gray (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991), I, III-V. Recommended: Hampsher-Monk, A History of Modern Political Thought, Chapter VIII. Week 4: Liberalism (Isaiah Berlin and Friedrich Hayek) Readings: Isaiah Berlin, “Two Concepts of Liberty,” The Liberty Reader, ed. and intro. David Miller (EUP, 2006), 33-58. Friedrich Hayek, “Freedom and Coercion,” The Liberty Reader, ed. and intro. David Miller (EUP, 2006), 80-100. Week 5: Liberalism (Alexis de Tocqueville) Reading: Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America and Two Essays on America (London and New York: Penguin Books, 2003), Part I: Chapters 3-4; Part II: Chapters I, 5, 7-8. Week 6: Conservatism (Edmund Burke) Reading: Edmund Burke, Reflections on the Revolution in France, ed. J.G.A. Pocock (Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing, 1987), 3-54, 67-70, 79-92, 96-99, 106-115, 140-144, 219-227. Recommended: Hampsher-Monk, A History of Modern Political Thought, Chapter VI. Week 7: Conservatism (Michael Oakeshott) Reading: Michael Oakeshott, “On Being Conservative,” in Rationalism in Politics and Other Essays (New York: Basic Books Publishing Co., Inc., 1962), 111-137. Week 8: Socialism (Karl Marx) Reading: Karl Marx, “Capital, Volume I,” in The Marx-Engels Reader: Second Edition, ed. Robert C. Tucker (New York and London: W.W. Norton & Company, 1978), Preface-Chapter VII; Chapter X, sections 1-4; Chapters XII-XIV; Chapters XV-XVI. Recommended: Hampsher-Monk, A History of Modern Political Thought, Chapter X. Week 9: Socialism (Lenin) Reading: V.I. Lenin, “The Bourgeois Revolution,” “The Vanguard Party,” “On Imperialism,” “The State and Revolution,” “No Compromises?,” “Working in Parliament,” in Essential Works of Socialism, ed. Irving Howe (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976), 279-329. Week 10 Socialism (G.D.H. Cole and Michael Walzer) Readings G.D.H. Cole, “Socialism and the Welfare State,” in Essential Works of Socialism, ed. Irving Howe (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976), 768-787. Michael Walzer, “Politics in the Welfare State,” in Essential Works of Socialism, ed. Irving Howe (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1976), 809-835. FINAL SYLLABUS Quarter: Spring 2016 Please contact the Stanford Continuing Studies office with any questions 365 Lasuen St., Stanford, CA 94305 continuingstudies@stanford.edu 650-725-2650