Western Washington University
College of Humanities & Social Sciences, Dept. of Political Science
Intro to Political Theory, PLSC 261, Fall 2014
Environmental Science 313, MWF 11:30 – 12:50
Science Lecture 140, MWF 2:30 – 3:50
Dr. C. Hoffman, Arntzen Hall 424
Office Hours: Wednesday & Friday 1:00 – 1:45& 4:00 – 5:00 (in Arntzen 424), and by appointment.
Course Website:
TAs:Taylor Hasson–
Zach Sisco –u
MikaylaRaley -
Levi Luft –
Course description
This course provides an introduction to political theory & the history of modern Western political thought. For each political theory that we study, we will read an historical and contextual overview in the main course textbook, Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal. We will read some essential primary source readings from the main canonical thinkers in political philosophy, along with select theorists and activists associated with each theoretical approach in the Ideals and Ideologies anthology. Paying close attention to the historical and contextual overview in lecture and in the main text will go a long way towards helping you to understand the primary source readings in the Ideals and Ideologies reader.
The course focuses on the historical traditions of democracy, classical & modern republicanism, liberalism, conservatism, and socialism. We will chronicle the evolution of each ideology through the modern period, to better apprehend each ideology’s twenty-first century application. Throughout, we will analyze the relationship of each philosophy to the democratic tradition. Just as there are many different "flavors" or types of liberalism & socialism (& conservatism), there are many different ways to define democracy. We will conclude the course by contemplating the future of ideology, along with a cautionary note about the difficulty of accurately predicting the future of any particular political theory or ideology. Throughout the quarter, we will address the following questions, considered central to political theory: What is the basis of the political legitimacy of the state? How does each ideology understand liberty, freedom, and obligation? Why are the notions of individual rational autonomy and agency so important in Western thought? Why are these latter notions in such alarming decline today? What is the proper balance between responsibility and liberty – and between equality and liberty? In addition, we will devote some time to reflecting on the deep transition between 20th century society vs.21st century polity & society (but not until after the midterm).
The course will provide you with a broad overview of the main traditions of Western political thought. It will also provide you with greater familiarization of some essential tools of a liberal arts education, including critical analysis and informed moral discourse, and their roles in making more our communities more open and civil. You will also develop the ability to apply insights from the classics of political thought to the political and sociological problems of our own time.
Classes will include both lecture and some class discussion of the readings. Course materials, including lecture notes & background notes on the primary source readings will be on the course website at Typically, I will lecture on the material in the main textbook at the start of each unit, and then allow for discussion when covering the primary source readings in the Ideals & Ideologies reader. There will be occasional in-class hours devoted to class discussion at appropriate points throughout the quarter as well. Careful and civil consideration of others’ ideas and theoretical positions is of course an essential aspect of the liberal tradition. Our goal will be to go beyond philosophical differences to allow for productive discourse & insightful exploration of the ideas and political & social theories that we cover.
Required Texts
1) Terence Ball and Richard Dagger, editors. Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, 8th or 9thedition.
2) Terence Ball and Richard Dagger, editors. Ideals and Ideologies, A Reader, 8th or 9th edition.
3) Readings marked “Library E-Reserves” will be posted on the Library E-Reserves site.
4) Additional readings on course website to help touch on current events & emerging literature
Course Requirements
Midterm Exam & Final Exam
There will be a midterm and a final exam. The exams will comprise primarily multiple choice style questions. I will provide a review sheet, practice questions, and a review session before both the Midterm & Final Exams.
Quizzes
There will be several short quizzes throughout the quarter, so it’s important to stay current with the readings and come to class. Quizzes may be unannounced.
Attendance will comprise approximately 6 % of the course grade. We will take periodic class attendance throughout the quarter.
NOTE: Make-up examinations and quizzes cannot be given, except for medical or other excused absences.
Summary of Graded Assignments
1) Midterm Exam ~40 %
2) Final Exam ~40 %
3) Quizzes 14 %
5) Attendance 6 %
Grading Standards:
The point distribution for all graded work will be as follows:
93 - 100A
90-92A-
88-89B+
83-87B
80-82B-
etc.
Course Policies
Academic Ethics: Academic dishonesty is a serious offense, potentially grounds for dismissal from the university. It is also inimical to the development of good character. Dishonesty includes plagiarism, cheating on exams, and so forth. Please consult for an explanation of what constitutes plagiarism. Western’s policy on plagiarism can be found at
Please note that I must follow university procedures when I identify a case of plagiarism.
Other policies: The instructor reserves the right to change the schedule and assignments at his discretion. Please note that there are no provisions for make-up exams. You will be able to drop one quiz. If, due to an excused emergency, you must miss the midterm or final exam, you must email me() or leave a message at 650-2908, in advance of the exam. If the absence is excused, your final will count double. If you are sick or have an emergency situation, please do your best to contact us prior to the exam.
Please take good care of yourself this quarter -- we will provide an opportunity to re-take a quiz missed due to medical illness only. Since each class meets for two hours, I'd like you to contact one of the TAs if you end up missing three classes so that you can catch up -- we want to do our best to make sure everyone successfully completes the course.
Special Accommodations: Western Washington’s policy and practice is to make reasonable accommodations for students with properly documented disabilities. Written notification from disAbilities resources (DRS) is required. If you are eligible to receive an accommodation and would like to request it for this course, please discuss it with me as soon as possible. This conversation will be kept strictly confidential. If you have questions about DRS and filing for an accommodation, please visit disability Resources for Students in Old Main 110 (650-3083). Their email is .
Course schedule and readings
Sep 24 & 26Introduction to Modern Ideologies & Democratic Theory
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 1
9/29 & 10/1Polity, Republic & Democracy from Antiquity to the European Renaissance
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 2 – 1st half
Ideals and Ideologies, Reading 2.4 (Aristotle) & Reading 2.5 (Machiavelli)
Oct 3 - 10The Modern Republic & the 19th Century Public Sphere (1831-1860)
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 2 – 2nd half
Reading 2.8 (Tocqueville), and Reading 2.9 (Mill)
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Mon Oct 13, Wed Oct 15, and 1st half of class Fri, Oct 17
Emergence of Classical Liberalism – The First Ideology
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 3, first half (pp. 45-56)
The Contract Theorists: Thomas Hobbes & John Locke
Hobbes’ Leviathan:
Ideals and Ideologies, Reading 3.11, p. 60-62 only (9thed) (it is Reading 3.10 in 8thed, p. 57-59 only)
Locke’s 2nd Treatise on Government:
Ideals and Ideologies, Reading 3.12, p. 71-79 only (9thed) (it is Reading 3.11 in 8thed, p. 68-77 only)
2nd half of class Fri Oct 17 & Mon Oct 20
Classical Liberalism in the Age of Democratic Revolutions
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 3, pp. 56-64 (middle)
Ideals and Ideologies, Reading 3.13 (Thomas Paine’s Common Sense) (it is Reading 3.12 in the 8thed)
Ideals and Ideologies, Reading 3.16 (Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations) (it is Reading 3.15 in the 8thed)
Oct 22 - 24Utilitarianism & Classical Liberalism
John Stuart Mill’s Utilitarian-Based Classical Liberalism
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 3, pp. 64-71
Ideals and Ideologies, Reading 3.18 (John Stuart Mill) (Reading 3.17 in 8thed)
Oct 27Quiz
Oct 29Questions on Midterm Review Sheet & Emergence of Welfare Liberalism after 1870
Start Reviewing for Midterm and articulating questions and Intro to Welfare Liberalism
Oct 31Welfare Liberalism in the 20th Century & John Rawls’s Theory of Justice
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 3, pp. 71-79 top
Nov 3Libertarianism & Neo-Classical Liberalism
Welfare Liberalism vs. The Third Way of the 1990s
Obama’s New New Deal & the (Brief) Return of Welfare Liberalism
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 3, pp. 79-88
Ideals and Ideologies, Reading 3.21 (Donald Allen)
Review for Midterm
Wednesday, Nov 5Midterm Exam
Nov 7 Election 2014 in the context of the last 6 years (The New “New Deal” (2008-2010), Tea Party Response (2010-2012),the Purported End of the Reagan-Rove Coalition (2012-14)
Nov 10 & 12Socialism from Thomas More to Karl Marx
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 5, pp. 127-141 top
Marxist Critique of Capitalism & Marxist Theory of Revolution
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 5, pp. 141-148
Nov 14 Fabian Socialism, Socialism in America, & Socialism Today
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 6, pp. 177 – 186 (Eighth Edition)
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 6, pp. 186 – 194 (Ninth Edition)
Critical Western Marxism and Consumer Society
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 6, p. 173btm– 174 btm (Eighth Ed)
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 6, p. 181 only (Ninth Ed)
Mon, Nov 17Conservatism 1789 thru Early 20th Cent.
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 4, First 10 pages of Chapter 4
Ideals and Ideologies, Reading 4.25 (de Maistre) “Reflections On France” only
Wed, Nov 19Traditional Conservatism: Burke 1789 Oakeshott 1962
Ideals & Ideologies, Reading 4.24 Edmund Burke (1789), Reflections on the Revolution in FranceIdeals & Ideologies, Reading 4.26 Michael Oakeshott, On Being Conservative
Nov 21 &24Reagan-Rove Coalition1964 - 2012: Individualist Conservatism, Neo-Conservatism
Social Populismthe Religious Right
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 4, Last 10 pages of Chapter 4
Nov 26 (Wed)Happy Thanksgiving – No class on Wednesday
Mon, Dec 1Conservatism (con’t)
Ideals & Ideologies, Reading 4.31 (Ronald Reagan)
Ideals& Ideologies, Reading 4.32 (Irving Kristol, Neo Conservatism)
Ideals& Ideologies, Reading 4.33 (W James Antle, The Conservative Crack-Up)
Wed, Dec 3Coping with & ContainingCounter-Enlightenment Thought
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 7, pp. 191-194 only
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 10
Fri, Dec 5Whither Ideology? Ideology Past, Present & Future
Political Ideologies and the Democratic Ideal, Chapter 11
Review for Final Exam
Final Exam:
2:30 Class Wed Dec 10 3:30 – 5:30 SL 140
11:30 Class Fri Dec 12 10:30 – 12:30 ES 313
or Wed Dec 10 3:30 – 5:30 ES 310
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