Contemporary Political Philosophy

Fall 2004 PHM 4340-001 Mon & Wed - 2.00-3.15 pm

Instructor: Sudarsan Padmanabhan FAO 212 Ph: 974-5946

Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday – 3.00-4.00 PM

Email – padmanab@helios.acomp.usf.edu

The aim of this course is to discuss various strands of contemporary political movements such as liberalism, libertarianism, communitarianism and republicanism. Issues such as race, gender, economic inequality, political rights, religion, and science and technology have great impact on our everyday lives. The effects of democracy on such issues and vice versa will also be discussed in the class.

August 23 Introduction

25 Thomas Hobbes (Sterba, pp. 139-166)

30 John Locke (Sterba, pp. 184-206)

Sept 1 Jean Jacques Rousseau (pp. 225-249)

8 John Rawls (Sterba & Chap 1 in W & H)

13 Chap2 (W & H)

15 Martha Nussbaum (Sterba)

20 Chap 3

22 Chap 4

27 Chap 5

29 Chap 6 (W & H) Sterba (pp. 499-508)

Oct 04 Quiz

06 Kwasi Wiredu – Electronic Reserves (TBA)

11 Chap 7 (W&H)

13 Chap 8

18 Chap 9

20 Chap 10

25 Chap 1 (ST)

27 Gandhi - Sterba

Nov 01 Chap 2

8 Quiz

10 Chap 3

15 Chap 4

17 Chap 5

22 Chap 6

29 Cornel West (Sterba)

Dec 01 Charles Taylor (Sterba)

06 Final 6-8 page paper due

Attendance is required in the class. More than three unauthorized absences will result in the deduction of half a grade. Points will be awarded for class participation. Plagiarism would result in severe penalties such as F or FF grades. USF has an arrangement with websites specializing in detecting plagiarism. For the final paper, please cite the sources. Refusing to acknowledge the books or articles consulted amounts to plagiarism.