Guernica, Pablo Picasso, 1937

Social and Political Philosophy

Philosophy 320
Fall 2011 Syllabus
P HILOSOPHY 320
Section 001
CRN: 13104
MWF 1:00-1:50 PM
Edith Kanakaole Hall 111

Dr. Timothy J. Freeman

T HE U NIVERSITY OF H AWAII AT H ILO
OFFICE: O LD G YM #2
OFFICE: 933-9920; CELL: 345-5231
freeman@hawaii.edu

Office Hours: MWF 2:00-2:50 PM and by appointment

Catalog course description

PHIL 320 Social and Political Philosophy

Good and right applied to economic, political, and religious establishments; obligation, freedom
of dissent, capital punishment, violence, rights, revolution, and war. Pre: previous work in
philosophy; PHIL 220 recommended.
required text

Political Thought, Michael Rosen & Jonathan Wolff. eds. Oxford University Press, 1999.
Course Web Page

http://tfreeman.net/Philosophy/320.html

Phil 320: Social & Political Philosophy

Fall 2011 Syllabus

Course content
This course will provide a survey of the issues and problems of Social & Political Philosophy. The
central concern of Social & Political Philosophy might be said to be justice. There is, first of all, the
question of what is the just society or just state. There is also the problem of retributive justice which
concerns the just administration of punishment. Then there is the problem of distributive justice which
concerns the just distribution of goods. The course begins with a brief historical background in
reviewing the key elements of the political philosophies of Plato and Aristotle. We will then turn to the
survey of the issues in Social & Political Philosophy in modern philosophy. The first concern is the
question of human nature. Different conceptions of human nature lead to different theories regarding the
justification of the state. After examining different conceptions of the social contract, and the problem of
our obligations to obey the laws of the state, we will review some of the basic problems of democracy.
We then examine different conceptions of liberty and rights. Next we turn to issues of economic justice:
What are the rights to private property? How should the wealth of the society be distributed? Then there
are a number of issues concerning justice between groups. There is, first of all, the question of justice in
the international arena, in the relations between states, perhaps most importantly, the problem of when
the use of force is justified. Is there ever a just war? What are the conditions of a just war? In further
reviewing justice between groups we consider questions concerning the rights of minorities and our
obligations to future generations, or the issue of distributive justice in the international arena. We will
then consider some of the challenges to the tradition of Liberalism which has, to some extent, dominated
modern social and political theory in the West.
course aims

In this course the student will gain a solid background in the history of Social and Political
Philosophy. In reviewing the major works in this history and following the development of a
number of key concepts, the student will have a better understanding of crucial issues that frame
contemporary political debate. The landscape of this debate is, of course, quite contentious, and
one of the primary aims of this course is to foster a healthy conversation about some of the
difficult issues of the day that divide us as a people. This problem of how we deal with these
controversial issues might be considered the bedrock problem of democracythe problem of
freedom. If we do have, however limited, some say in shaping our government, then we have
some responsibility to try and understand these issues; and if democracy is to thrive and not give
way to tyranny then we must be able to engage in a real dialogue about them. In order to achieve
this aim of developing this conversation, it must be clear at the outset that it is not at all
necessary that we come to any agreement about any of these issues. There is certainly no
obligation upon the student to agree with the instructor concerning the topics of debate.
Classroom discussion among the students will be strongly encouraged and even expected. The
key to developing a dialogue that might be a model for a thriving democracy is that respect for
persons be maintained even when ideas are challenged. Through classroom discussion and
written assignments the course also aims to develop critical thinking, as well as oral and written
communication skills.

Phil 320: Social & Political Philosophy

Fall 2011 Syllabus

grading policy

The final grade will be based on the following

1.
2.
3.

Mid-Term Exam.
Essay Paper: a 6-10 page essay paper.
Final Exam.

30%
40%
30%

4.

Attendance is important! More than 3 unexcused absences

will negatively impact your grade for the course. Every
fourth unexcused absence will result in 10 points deducted
from the final grade average.
Grading will be determined according to the following scale:
A
A%
B+
B
B%

95-100 Excellent
90-94
87-89
84-86 Good
80-83

C+
C
C%
D
F

77-79
74-76 Satisfactory
70-73
60-70 Poor
0-59 Failure

Course format

Classroom sessions will be both lecture and discussion with emphasis on informal lecture.
classroom policies

All students are expected to come to class on time and to bring their books as well as paper and
pen suitable for taking notes of class lectures. No laptop computers are to be used during class
time. Active cellular telephones or paging devices are not permitted in class. No consumption of
food is allowed during the class period.
Student Conduct Code

All students are expected to adhere to the Student Conduct Code as explained in the University of
Hawaii at Hilo 2011-2012 Undergraduate Catalog:
Advising Statement

Advising is a very important resource designed to help students complete the requirements of the
University and their individual majors. Students should consult with their advisor at least once
a semester to decide on courses, check progress towards graduation, and discuss career options
and other educational opportunities provided by UH-Hilo. Advising is a shared responsibility,
but students have final responsibility for meeting degree requirements.
Special needs

Any student with a documented disability who would like to request accommodations should
contact the University Disability Services Office - Hale Kauanoe A Wing Lounge, 933-0816 (V),
933-3334 (TTY), shirachi@hawaii.edu - as early in the semester as possible.

Philosophy 320: Social & Political Philosophy

1
M 08/22
W 08/24
F 08/26

2
M 08/29
W 08/31
F 09/02

3
M 09/05
W 09/07
F 09/09

4
M 09/12
W 09/14
F 09/16

5
M 09/19
W 09/21
F 09/23

Introduction
Course Orientation
Plato:
Aristotle:

Fall 2011 Course Schedule

Selections from the Apology & the Republic

Selections from the Politics

Human Nature
The Natural State of Mankind
The Natural State of Mankind
Mans Nature and Womans Nature

R & W (7-23)
R & W (23-33)
R & W (34-51)

The Justification of the State

Holiday: Labor Day
What is the State?/The Social Contract
The Social Contract

R & W (52-61)
R & W (62-65)

The Justification of the State

Against the Social Contract
The Anarchist Response
Civil Disobedience

R & W (66-72)
R & W (73-77)
R & W (78-88)

Democracy and Its Difficulties

Against Democracy/Democratic Ideals
True and False Democracy/Dangers in Democracy
Democracy and Bureaucracy/The Separation of Powers

R & W (89-102)
R & W (103-110)
R & W (111-118)

Philosophy 320: Social & Political Philosophy

6
M 09/26
W 09/28
F 09/30

7
M 10/03
W 10/05
F 10/07

8
M 10/10
W 10/12
F 10/14

Fall 2011 Course Schedule

Liberty and Rights

What is Liberty?
Law and Morality
Toleration and Free Expression

R & W (119-132)
R & W (133-141)
R & W (142-154)

Mid-Term Exam
Review & Discussion
*Mid-Term Exam*
*No class: (PACT Conference)*

Liberty and Rights

Virtue and Citizenship
Rights
Punishment

R & W (155-171)
R & W (172-180)
R & W (181-186)

**10/14 Last Day to Withdraw from Courses with W**

9
M 10/17
W 10/19
F 10/21

10
M 10/24
W 10/26
F 10/28

Economic Justice
Private Property
Private Property
The Market

R & W (187-202)
R & W (202-213)
R & W (214-223)

Economic Justice
Theories of Distributive Justice
Theories of Distributive Justice
Theories of Distributive Justice

R & W (224-231)
R & W (231-241)
R & W (241-254)

Philosophy 320: Social & Political Philosophy

11
M 10/31
W 11/02
F 11/04

12
M 11/07
W 11/09
F 11/11

13
M 11/14
W 11/16
F 11/18

14
M 11/21
W 11/23
TH 11/25

15

Justice between Groups

Peace and War
Peace and War
Peace and War

Justice between Groups

Nationalism
Nationalism
*Holiday: Veterans Day*

Justice between Groups

Minority Rights
Intergenerational Justice
International Justice

Alternatives to Liberalism
Liberal Theory under Strain
Conservatism
*Holiday: Thanksgiving*

Fall 2011 Course Schedule

R & W (255-260)
R & W (260-263)
R & W (263-266)

R & W (267-284)
R & W (267-284)

R & W (285-291)
R & W (292-299)
R & W (300-318)

R & W (319-325)
R & W (326-334)

Alternatives to Liberalism
Communitarianism
Socialism
Post-modernism

R & W (335-344)
R & W (345-358)
R & W (359-365)

M 12/05
W 12/07

Progress and Civilization

The Problem of Civilization
Utopianism and the End of History

R & W (366-382)
R & W (383-388)

W 12/14

**Final Exam** (11:50am-1:50pm)

M 11/28
W 11/30
F 12/02

16

**schedule is subject to revision**