Dr. Kenneth F. Rogerson
TR 9:30-10:45
THE SOCIAL CONTRAC
Course Description:
What makes a government just and fair? What authorizes some persons
to rule a society? Why should we obey the laws our rulers make?
In this course we will trace one very influential theory which answers these questions — the Social Contract Theory. The theoretical foundation of modern western democracies was laid by Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau who, despite important differences, held that political rule was legitimate only if persons consented (contracted) to such rule.
Not only will we study the 17th and 18th century writers mentioned above, but we shall also consider two recent and important versions of the social contract theory: those by John Rawls, and Robert Nozick. By looking at Rawls, and Nozick+ we shall get a good feel for the nature of the contemporary debate in political philosophy.
Grades and Exams:
The graded work for the course will consist in two in-class exams (one
mid-term and one final) and one paper (approximately 8 pages in length).
Each piece of work will be equally graded.
Late papers and Exam Make-ups:
Arrangements will be made for late papers and exam make-ups only on
the basis of a weighty excuse (typically medical). Students should
request special arrangements before the deadlines whenever possible. PHM
3200 Social and Political Philosophy
HUM 4392 Human Concerns
Dr. Kenneth F. Rogerson
TR 9:30-10:45
Required Texts: Hobbes, Leviathan; Locke, Second Treatise of Government; Rousseau, The Social Contract; Rawls, A Theory of Justice
CALENDAR
Hobbes
1/9-1/11 Editor's Intro., pgs.
9-63
1/16-1/18 Chapters 6, 8, 10, 13
1/23-1/25 Chapters 14-21
1/30-2/1 Chapters 24, 26-31
Locke
2/6-2/8 Chapters I-VI
2/13-2/15 Chapters VII-XII
2/20-2/22 Chapters XIV-XIX / EXAM: 2/22
Rousseau
2/27-3/1 Books I, II, and Book
III (Chapts. 1-4) / Bk. III (Chapts. 5-18)
3/6-3/8 Book IV (Chapts.
1-3, 7-9) / Start Rawls, Chapt. 1 (secs. 1-5)
Rawls
3/13-3/15 Chapter 2 (secs. 11-14) / Chapter
2 (secs. 15-17)
3/20-3/22 Spring Break
3/27-3/29 Classes Cancelled
Nozick
4/3-4/5 Chapter 3 (secs.
20-25) / Chapter 3 (secs. 26-30)
4/10-4/12 PAPER DUE: 4/10 / Start Nozick,
Chapter 7, pgs. 149-174
4/17-4/19 Chapter 7, pgs. 174-213 (on reserve) /
Chapter 7, pgs. 213-231
Final exam: Tues. 4/24 at 9:30 am.