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PHIL-2307-001 Introduction to Social & Political Philosophy
A study of major issues in social and political theory and/or the work of major philosophical figures in this area.
Student ResourcesStudent Resources Website
Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:
Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:
Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me
You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.
(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)
Online Course
Required Textbook: An Introduction to Political Philosophy, 3rd. Edition, Jonathan Wolff, Oxford University Press
ISBN: 978-0-19-965801-5
It appears that the Program Director (who retired over the summer) may not have ordered copies of the book at the campus bookstore. I have reached out to the bookstore manager, but at this point it may be easier (and cheaper) to order it from an online bookseller (such as Amazon). Sorry for the incovenience!
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students will be able:
In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .
If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".
SPECIFIC COURSE REQUIREMENTS FOR PHILOSOPHY 2307 (Read carefully):
All weekly discussions will close at 11:00 P.M., on Saturday evening (except the Week 8 discussion, which will close sooner during the week).
5. The online submission in Rich Text Format (RTF) of the two Applied Philosophy Papers.
For these papers, you are to read the assigned article (I will give you a PDF file of it)
Then you will type an 800 (or more) word response in which you address EACH of the following four questions IN YOUR OWN WORDS: 1) What is the author's main argument? 2) How does he support his main argument (evidence, ancillary arguments, etc.)? 3) Do you agree or disagree with him? 4) Why or why not?
A WORD OF WARNING: These articles are rather long and complex. The author likes to make extensive use of his rather copious vocabulary, so I strongly urge you to have dictionary.com handy as you work your way through the assigned article. The purpose of this essay assignment is for you to demonstrate your ability to discuss, analyze, and evaluate complex philosophic arguments. I am confident that the reading assignments, tests, and discussion boards will have prepared you for this challenging essay assignment.
Note: I only allow one attempt on this assignment. Students who do not fully address all of the components of the assignment as stated in the instructions as well as the grading rubric below will have to be content with the grade they earned.
Please use MLA format.
Your paper will be graded according to the following rubric:
Grading Rubric:
The following standards are numbered in order of importance for grading.
1.Essay demonstrates an understanding of the material: The student has correctly grasped a philosophical problem or question, has explained it accurately, and on the basis of a substantially correct interpretation of any texts involved. Key terms are used correctly. The essay shows evidence of the student's independent thought, and is written in his or her distinctive voice. Quotations are used, when appropriate, to support the writer's analysis, and an explanation is offered for each quotation.
25 points
2.Essay has clear and coherent argument: There is a clearly stated thesis, and support for this thesis in the body of the paper. Each paragraph contributes to this argument, and follows logically from the paragraph before it. The argument presented is persuasive.
25 points
3.Essay fulfills assigned task: The essay addresses the entire assigned question or topic, elaborating on important ideas in satisfactory depth, but without bringing in anything extraneous or irrelevant. The introduction of the essay focuses and provides clarity for the paper. Important terms are clearly and accurately defined. Each paragraph conveys a coherent, organized thought.
20 points
4.Essay obeys standards for good persuasive writing: the writer shows that he or she is comfortable using philosophical language, and the prose is clear, not awkward. The structure of the sentences reflects the relationships between/among the ideas discussed.
20 points
10 points
This paper must also use good form; include either footnote or parenthetical documentation, and a complete bibliography if you decide to use outside sources beyond the required article (See the MLA Handbook available in the college bookstore).
Applied Philosophy Paper 1 is due at the end of Week 6 (see course calendar for specific date).
Applied Philosophy Paper 2 is due at the end of Week 8 (see course calendar for specific date).
Please be sure to save and submit your paper in RTF (Rich Text Format).
3. Total Points/Letter Grade: Your final grade breakdown is as follows:
100%
Course Grading Scale:
Students are expected to participate in the class and submit assignments each week.
COURSE CALENDAR
WEEK 1: Week of 08/26
Student Introduction Post
Chapter 1: The State of Nature pp. 6-17
Week 1 Discussion due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this week’s assignments, students will be able to:
Examine, discuss, and assess the State of Nature arguments of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
WEEK 2: Week of 09/01
Chapter 1: The State of Nature pp. 17-33
Week 2 Discussion due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Quiz #1 due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this week’s assignments, students will be able to:
Examine, discuss, and assess the State of Nature arguments of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau.
WEEK 3: Week of 09/08
Chapter 2: Justifying the State, pp. 34-61
Week 3 Discussion due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this week’s assignments, students will be able to:
Examine, discuss, and assess social contract theory, Utilitarianism, and the principle of fairness.
WEEK 4: Week of 09/15
Chapter 3: Who Should Rule? pp. 62-103
Week 4 Discussion due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Quiz #2 due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Midterm Exam due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this week’s assignments, students will be able to:
Examine, discuss, and assess Plato's criticism of democracy and Rousseau's principal of the General Will
WEEK 5: Week of 09/22
Chapter 4: The Place of Liberty pp. 104-114
Week 5 Discussion due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this week’s assignments, students will be able to:
Examine, discuss, and assess Mill on liberty, problems with liberalism.
WEEK 6: Week of 09/29
Chapter 4: The Place of Liberty pp. 114-133
Week 6 Discussion due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Quiz #3 due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Applied Philosophy Paper #1 due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this week’s assignments, students will be able to:
Examine, discuss, and assess Mill on liberty, problems with liberalism.
WEEK 7: Week of 10/06
Chapter 5: The Distribution of Property, pp. 134-178
Week 7 Discussion due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Quiz #4 due by Saturday at 11:59 pm.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this week’s assignments, students will be able to:
Examine, discuss, and assess the problems with distributive justice, Rawls's theory of justice.
WEEK 8: Week of 10/13
Chapter 6: Justice for Everyone, Everywhere? pp. 179-215
Week 8 Discussion due by Wednesday 10/16/19 at 11:59 pm.
Applied Philosophy Paper #2 due by Wednesday 10/16/19 at 11:59 pm.
Final Exam due by Wednesday 10/16/19 at 11:59 pm.
Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this week’s assignments, students will be able to:
Examine, discuss, and assess the problem of justice.
08/17/19 12:20 PM
08/26/19 11:00 AM