Political Ideas - Fall 2002 Tentative schedule of topics and readings

Part I: Development of the contemporary middle ground

Week 1-Aug. 29- Introduction to the course and to each other.

Week 2- Sept.5-The study of ideologies and the idea of democracy

Readings: Text, through page 30 and Reader, through page 29

Week 3-Sept.12- Further thoughts on democracy

Readings: Text to page 42; Reader to page 61

Week 4-Sept.19- Classical liberalism and the idea of a social contract

Readings: Text, pp.45-65; Reader, pp. 66-100; more selections from Locke (handout)

Week 5-Sept.26- From classical to modern liberalism

Readings: Text, pp. 66-86; Reader, pp. 101-136;

Week 6-Oct.3- Traditional conservatism

Readings: Text, pp.87-105; Reader, pp. 137-156

Week 7-Oct.10- From traditional to modern conservatism

Readings: Text, pp. 105-113; Reader, pp. 157-187

Part II: Challenges from left, right and elsewhere

Week 8-Oct.17- Early Socialism and the ideas of Karl Marx

Readings: Text, Chapter 5; Reader, Part 5

Week 9-Oct.24- Communism

Readings: Text, pp.141-162; Reader, pp. 215-249

Week 10-Oct. 31-Contemporary democratic socialism

Readings: Text, pp. 162-175; Reader, pp. 250-286

Week 11-Nov.7-Fascism

Readings: Text, Chapter 7; Reader Part 7

Week 12-Nov. 14- Black liberation, anti-racism and anti-colonialism

Readings: Text, pp. 207-213, 220-225; Reader, pp. 330-346, 382-393

Week 13-Nov. 21- Feminism and ‘Gay’ liberation

Readings: Text, pp. 213-220, 229-234; Reader, 347-381

No class November 28 – Thanksgiving Holiday

Week 14-Dec. 5-Environmentalism and ‘Green’ Politics

Readings: Text, Chapter 9; Reader, Part 9

Week 15-Dec. 12- Last class - Wrap-up