GOVT 4354

Contemporary Political Thought

Summer 2006

Dr. Brian Bearry

Office: GR 3.704
Phone: x4966
Email: bxb022100@utdallas.edu

Course Description:

It is the purpose of GOVT 4354 to investigate the moral and political controversies shaping contemporary
political thought. This semester we will explore the role of political science in the governance and politics
of modern liberal democracies and in liberal democratic social life; we will do so by investigating a
controversy within the discipline of political science itself--should political science be merely descriptive or
should it be prescriptive? And if prescriptive, can one really know and act on the nature of political things?
What is the role of reason and tradition in contemporary political life? We will discuss both the
possibilities and limits of political science by examining the political thought of three controversial
theorists: Leo Strauss, Michael Oakeshott, and Michael Walzer.

Course Objectives:

In addition to gaining insight into the possibilities and limits of political science in the governance of
contemporary daily life, the objective of this course to give you a working vocabulary and understanding of
current political theory and politics in regard to the liberal democratic regime.

Required texts:

James Caesar. Liberal Democracy and Political Science. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992.
Leo Strauss. An Introduction to Political Philosophy: Ten Essays. Wayne State University Press, 1989.
Michael Oakeshott. Rationalism in Politics and Other Essays. Liberty Press, 1991.
Michael Walzer. Politics and Passion: Toward a More Egalitarian Liberalism. Yale University Press,
2004.

Requirements, grading and participation:

There will be three exams and a final exam for this course. Thus, your final grade will be determined as
follows:

Four exams 25% each

Total 100%

GRADE REDUCTIONS--THERE WILL BE GRADE REDUCTION FOR EXCESSIVE ABSENCES.

See below.

Attendance, etc.
Attendance is expected and required. Should you miss an exam due to an absence or tardy, a grade of “F”
will be assigned and will stand; the only exception will be for a previously approved excused absence.
There are no make-up exams. When challenging a grade, it is the responsibility of the student to produce
the requisite materials. There will be a 10% final grade reduction after three absences, and a 5% final
grade reduction for each subsequent absence. If you are not in class when roll is taken, you will be
considered absent, period.
Cell phones, pagers, palm pilots and any other electronic device that rings, beeps, clicks, whirrs, etc.; turn
them off.—should a student need to be reminded more than once, it is possible that he or she could lose
10% of the final grade or suffer removal from class.
DO NOT BRING CELL PHONES INTO EXAMS. ANYONE CAUGHT WITH A CELL PHONE
OR ANY OTHER ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WILL IMMEDIATELY
RECEIVE A 0 (F) FOR THAT EXAM.

Class rules and grades:

1. email: You must put your full name on all email correspondence. Emails sent without a name will not
be answered. We will NOT send exam, quiz, assignment and final grades via email. You may
receive your grades when exams, etc., are returned during or after class, or you may drop by my or the
TA’s office hours to receive your grades and other pertinent material. Grades and attendance will be
posted on WebCT.

2. In order for you to receive an excused absence, you must notify me or the Teaching Assistant prior
to class; or you must have a documented medical emergency; otherwise, all absences and each tardy
will be considered unexcused.

3. All grades are final (unless there is a mistake when determining a grade—this does happen).
The time to be concerned with a grade is during the semester, not after. When challenging a grade, it is the
responsibility of the student to produce the requisite materials. There is no extra credit given in this class.

University Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty:

It is the policy of the University of Texas at Dallas that cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated under
any circumstances. Violations will result in immediate disciplinary action to the fullest extent of the
policy. See the University catalog for a detailed explanation.

Reading and exam schedule:

May 31--course introduction

June 5--Ceasar, chs. 1,2,3
June 7--Ceasar, chs. 4,7,8
June 12--EXAM #1; lecture
June 14--Strauss, read: “What is Political Philosophy?”
June 19--Strauss, read: “On Classical Political Philosophy,” & “The Three Waves of Modernity”
June 21--Strauss, read: “Natural Right and the Historical Approach,” & “What is Liberal Education?”
June 26--EXAM #2; lecture
June 28--Oakeshott, read: “Rationalism in Politics,” parts I, IV, & V; “Political Education,” & “Political
Discourse”
July 3--Oakeshott, read: “Masses in representative Democracy,” & “The Tower of Babel”
July 5-- EXAM #3; lecture
July 10-- Walzer, Introduction, chs 1 & 2
July 12-- Walzer, chs. 3,4
July 17-- Walzer, chs. 6, Conclusion
July 19--EXAM #4