POL203: Critical Thinking in Politics
MWF 12:40 - 1:35 (Mahar 103)

Brett Marston
438 Mahar x3277
Office Hours: MW, 1:45-2:45, W 11:30-12:30
marston@oswego.edu

This course has two elements. First, the course is an introduction to major controversies in modern political theory, which we will access through Steven Lukes's satirical novel, The Curious Enlightenment of Professor Caritat. The novel follows a fictional professor of the Enlightenment as he is sent on a mission to find the "best of all possible worlds." Major themes of our discussions will be the ideas of security, utility, community, feminism, the free market, private property, tolerance, and social progress. As we discuss these ideas, you will be asked to reflect critically on them. Second, the course is intended to be an introduction to the process of researching and writing as an exercise in critical thinking. The subject matter for this exercise will be the controversial recent decision by the Federal Communications Commission on June 2nd to relax media ownership rules, a decision that many of you may heard about (but don't worry about it if you haven't!). There will be substantial overlap between these two aspects of the course. Our guide for the research and writing project will be Booth, Colomb and Williams's excellent text, The Craft of Research. These readings will be supplemented by in-class handouts.

Assignments and Grades:
· One page summary of research topic and sources (Due 9/17): 15%
· Short Paper #1 (Due 10/10): 20%
· Short Paper #2 (Due 11/24): 20%
· Term paper (Progress report due 10/24, draft due 11/14, final paper Due 12/8): 25%
· Evaluations of and comments on classmates' papers: 15%
· Class participation: 5%

We will devote class time to discussion of written assignments. Before each assignment, you will be placed into groups and you will be required to read each others' work and provide written comments (forms will be provided). Additional information on the procedures for student evaluation of papers will be presented as the assignments approach, as will details on other written assignments.

This is not a lecture course. You will be required to participate in extensive in-class discussion of the issues we cover and in regular evaluation of each others' work. You will also be expected to keep current with scheduled readings and to participate in class discussions. Failure to attend regularly will severely affect your ability to pass this course. All written assignments must be completed (including evaluations of classmates' papers) in order to pass the course.
Plagiarism will be dealt with according to university policies. Do not plagiarize. I will use plagiarism detection software in cases of uncertainty. You should review Oswego's plagiarism policies (student handbook, 92-94) and ask me for help if needed. Students who have a disabling condition that might interfere with their ability to complete this course successfully are encouraged to speak with me, confidentially, or to contact the Office of Disability Services (x3558, 210 Swetman).
I reserve the right to amend this syllabus as circumstances require. There will be one in-class library session at Penfield library, date TBA.

Required Texts:
1) Steven Lukes, The Curious Enlightenment of Professor Caritat, Verso, 1995. (Lukes)
2) Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams, The Craft of Research, 2nd edition. U Chicago, Press, 2003 (Booth)

Readings will also be supplemented by in-class handouts. There are required web readings during the first two weeks of class.

Week 2 (9/8 - 9/12): Booth, 3 - 26, 40 - 52; select 2 more web readings linked at the course web site.

Week 3 (9/15 - 9/19): Lukes, 1 - 27 (on "Militaria" I); Booth, 53 - 90; one-page summary of research due 9/17

Week 4 (9/22 - 9/26): Lukes, 28 - 41 (on "Militaria" II); Booth, 90 - 107

Week 5 (9/29 - 10/3): Lukes, 42 - 86 (on "Utilitaria" I ),

Week 6 (10/6 - 10/10): Lukes, 87 - 116, (on "Utilitaria" II and the "Bigotarians"); Booth, 111 - 126, short paper #1 due 10/10

Week 7 (10/13 - 10/17): Lukes, 117 - 138 (on "Communitaria" I), Booth, 127 - 150; students discuss short papers 10/15

Week 8 (10/20 - 10/24): Lukes, 139 - 161 (on "Communitaria" II: the "Unidiversity"); Booth, 151 - 181 research paper progress report due 10/24

Week 9 (Tue, 10/28 !! - 10/31): Lukes, 162 - 178 (the "Body of Gender"); Booth, 185 - 221,

Week 10 (11/3 - 11/7): Lukes, 179 - 197 ( on "Proletaria"); Booth, 222 - 240

Week 11 (11/10 - 11/14): Lukes, 198 - 218 (on "Libertaria" I); Booth, 241 - 262 draft of research paper due 11/14

Week 12 (11/17 - 11/21): Booth, 263 - 288, students evaluate research papers and discuss, 11/19

Week 13 (Mon, 11/24): short paper #2 due 11/24

Wed, 11/26, Fri, 11/28: Thanksgiving recess

Week 14 (12/1 - 12/5): Lukes, 219 - 249 (on "Libertaria" II); students discuss short papers 12/3

Week 15 (12/8 - 12/12): Lukes, 250 - 261 (on "Minerva"); Booth, 285 - 288 term papers due 12/8, students evaluate term papers 12/12

Optional final draft of term paper accepted until 8:00 am, Friday, 12/19.