POLSC 240 Political Theory Syllabus
POLSC 240--Political Theory: Open for Antiracism (OFAR)
Overview
The Open for Antiracism (OFAR) Program – co-led by CCCOER and College of the Canyons – emerged as a response to the growing awareness of structural racism in our educational systems and the realization that adoption of open educational resources (OER) and open pedagogy could be transformative at institutions seeking to improve. The program is designed to give participants a workshop experience where they can better understand anti-racist teaching and how the use of OER and open pedagogy can empower them to involve students in the co-creation of an anti-racist classroom. The capstone project involves developing an action plan for incorporating OER and open pedagogy into a course being taught in the spring semester. OFAR participants are invited to remix this template to design and share their projects and plans for moving this work forward.
Center political philosophers from the underside of modernity i.e. non-Western colonial/decolonial thinkers. Develop final project for students to engage the canon with their critiques of white supremacy as the social, political and economic system.
Describe how OER and open pedagogy help your class to be anti-racist here.
POLSC 240: Political Theory Syllabus
Albert Ponce Ph.D.
Political Science 240: Political Theory
This course will provide a survey of Western political philosophy from the ancient to the modern period. We will cover prominent theories and concepts in the historical tradition of political thought as well as considering the periodization of political problems. In addition, we will also analyze theories and their potential application to modern political issues. Lecture, therefore, is designed for you to clarify and refine your ideas through critical questions. The goal is for you to come prepared to critically analyze the ideas, themes and concepts derived from the readings and engage in class discussion. Our goal is to examine foundational questions, such as, ‘What is justice?,’ ‘What is freedom?’ and “What is political” and explore their historical and contemporary significance.
4CD Statement in support of Social Justice Reform:
Required Texts: PDF’s are uploaded on CANVAS NO COST!
Discourse on the Origin of Inequality (Dover Thrift Editions)Paperback – June 4, 2004 by Jean-Jacques Rousseau (Author) ISBN-13: 978-0486434148
The Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels, (International Publishers, 2014)
We will read the daily news, for our collective purposes I have selected NEW YORK TIMES www.nytimes.com as a DVC student you can sign-up for free access. (see email instructions)
CANVAS: link via Insite Portal Students are responsible for accessing readings (files tab), discussions and announcements on course webpage. Materials including syllabus, study guides, news stories etc. will be posted at this site. If you have any problems call CANVAS 24/7 Helpline: 1-844-303-5586 |
Grading Scale
Total Points: 350points
315-350 A
314-280 B
279-245 C
244-210 D
209-below F
Expectations and Appropriate Classroom behavior:
I expect you all to take the topics that we discuss and learn about seriously and make an effort to learn them well. To do this, it is essential that you read all assigned readings. Reading the news daily will assist you in linking course concepts to contemporary issues and debates. We will also be discussing differing concepts, ideas and theories, so I hope that everyone will take the time to acknowledge that lecture must be a safe space for all individuals regardless of difference or background, to talk openly and without fear of harassment. This includes undocumented, LGTBQ+, racial groups or religions which represent all our students. Any sexist, racist, or dehumaninzing ideas, acts will not be tolerated.
This course will prepare you for the challenges in upper-division political science and social sciences courses. Taking (good) notes is a key to success!! Developing your reflexive note taking skills will provide necessary lifelong tools towards achieving your goals.
Lastly, academic integrity is well laid out by Diablo Valley College (see course catalog-and below), so please do your own work.
In supporting an enriching learning environment students must conduct themselves appropriately. Violations of DVC Student Code of Conduct will be reported to Dean of Student Life, and may require a meeting with the dean before being allowed to return to class.
Student Code of Conduct (pages 35-42 DVC Catalog):
Student Learning Outcomes:
A. Compare and contrast various political theories and theorists.
B. Recognize fundamental political concepts (i.e. freedom, equality, justice, the individual, nature, citizenship, democracy, exploitation, alienation, violence, revolution) as expressed by major political thinkers.
C. Discern the assumptions and values that underlie selected political ideologies.
D. Relate aspects of political thought of the past to current political ideologies/thought.
E. Apply various theoretical approaches to contemporary political problems and assess their strengths and weaknesses.
F. Recognize concepts and principles of political thought in the routine operations of political systems.
G. Analyze elements of political behavior and the implication of actions taken by leaders and constituents of secular and/or religious movements.
Disability Support Services Statement:
The staff of the DSS is committed to the establishment of a positive learning
environment focusing on academic integrity, sensitivity to our students, and achievement of student success. Students who require alternative formats for course materials or adaptive equipment due to specific disability may request them through the Disability Support Services office.
For information related to DVC Disabled Student Services
Undocumented Student Resources:
As a DVC faculty UndocuAlly feel free to see me about resources or refer to:
CCCCD ‘in Defense of Diversity and Inclusion’
Food Pantry: DVC has a food pantry for more information on dates/times for pick-up see link
Tutoring is essential for your success!
DVC offers free academic support for students. Please visit the DVC Tutoring Services webpage for information about tutoring across the college: DVC also offers free online tutoring through NetTutor, which you can access through the link to in Canvas. Because students who use student support services such as tutoring are more successful in their classes, please make time in your schedule to seek out tutoring support this semester.
https://www.dvc.edu/current/tutoring-services/academic-support-center.html
Academic Dihonesty and Plagiarism: PLAGIARISM IS THEFT. Do not cheat. Penalties include earning an F (zero points) for the assignment, or an F for the course, or even dismissal from the college. Examples of academic dishonesty include copying from another student, copying from a book or class notes, or smart phone/watch during a closed book exam, submitting materials authored by or revised by another person as the students own work, copying a passage or text directly from a published source without appropriately citing or recognizing that source, doing an assignment or other academic work for another student, securing or supplying in advance a copy of an examination or quiz without the knowledge or consent of the instructor, sharing or receiving the questions from an on-line quiz with another student, taking an on-line quiz with the help of another student, and colluding with another student or students to engage in academic dishonesty. Also, submitting a paper written by you for a course other than this section, purchasing a paper, or having someone else do your work on a paper are all forms of academic dishonesty.
Academic Dishonesty:
Academic dishonesty is defined as: an act of deception in which a student claims credit for the work or effort of another person or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic work. Academic dishonesty is a violation of the DVC Student Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty diminishes the quality of scholarship at Diablo Valley College and hurts the majority of students who conduct themselves honestly.
Diablo Valley College defines plagiarism (see pages 32-33 of DVC Catalog) as:
representing someone else’s words, ideas, artistry, or data as one’s own, including copying another person’s work (including published and unpublished material, and material from the Internet) without appropriate referencing, presenting someone else’s opinions and theories as one’s own, or working jointly on a project, then submitting it as one’s own
Assignments |
Discussion Board: 4 postings (MINIMUM 350 words) 40 points each = 160 points
You will be prompted to post on ‘Discussion Board’ 4 times during the semester. Our first post in due by FEB 4th (This is your INTRODUCTION to the class along with a reflection of questions posed MINIMUM 350 words). You are also expected/required to respond to your peer’s postings. Postings will all have due dates of Friday’s 11:59pm unless otherwise noted. NOTE: On right hand bottom include TOTAL WORD COUNT
e.g. WORD COUNT: 575 Words
Discussion Board Guidelines:
You will be required to submit FOUR (4) postings during the semester. The first is your introduction to the class (see ‘Discussion Post 1’). The subsequent Four (4) postings will be reflections prompted by professor questions specific to the readings. You can advance your understanding of the course readings by linking concepts, themes, events, laws etc to our contemporary period. Politics is everywhere and these reflections will have you develop the critical analytic skills needed to make sense of your role in society. Furthermore, you will build the capacity to ask critical questions of law, society and yourself. See below for steps to ensure you will earn maximum points by following these steps.
- Respond to posted questions by incorporating key concepts from readings (This is how you will earn maximum points.)
- Keep discussion grounded to textual and factual ANALYSIS-NOT OPINION (see ‘Key Concepts’ handout on what constitutes Analysis).
- Be respectful of diverse viewpoints-we are all here to learn and grow (see step 2).
- Make analytic connections across readings to achieve fullest points.
- Interaction with your peers is essential, when responding to AT LEAST ONE student in discussion be sure to follow guidelines detailed above and based on academic sources.
- Include TOTAL WORD COUNT listed right bottom of post.
Essay response (1) = 90 points
You will be given prompt 2 weeks in advance and develop your essay. 2 Questions (45pts each) will be from theorists in first part of our course.
Politics, anti-racist, abolition theory & solutions presentation: 100 points
You will prepare a presentation of your topic, central thesis/argument and supporting academic evidence-make this fun by selecting a political issue/topic linked social movement or injustice linked to theorists/thinkers from our syllabus in “Modern, decolonial, anti-racist & abolition theory section” you would like to know more about or advocate for. Helpful tips: Get creative-this will be fun, include visual aids, artwork, photos, short video clips will assist your presentation. This will be an OER Open Educational Resources & Open Pedagogy assignment (specific guidelines forthcoming).
___________Schedule-Political Theory (Schedule subject to change)__________
Week 1 Education as Liberation & Ancient Political Thought
Jan 24-30th
Introduction/Overview
Watch: Snoop Dogg
Reading: Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed (preface, Ch. 1 pgs. 43-50, Ch. 2 pgs 71-75)
Watch: Frontline t’s American Carnage
Week 2. Jan 31-Feb 6th
Reading: Socrates’ Defense
Discussion Post 1 (350 words MINIMUM) due
Week 3: Feb 7th-Feb 13th
Reading: Plato, The Republic
Week 4 Feb 14-20th
Reading: Plato, The Republic
Discussion Post 2 (350 words MINIMUM) due
Week 5 Early Modern, Social Contract Theory & Colonization
Feb 21-27th Reading: Machiavelli on the Science of Government
Reading: Hobbes Theory of the Rational State
Week 6 Feb 28-Mar 6th Reading: John Locke, Second Treatise of Government (Begin on page 105 (pdf) Essay 2: Sections: 1-6, 8, 9, 12, 14-16,18-19)
Week 7 Mar 7-Mar 13th Reading: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Discourse on the Origin of Inequality (pgs 9-42)
Week 8. Mar 14-20th
Essay DUE
Week 9: Modern and decolonial, anti-racist & Abolition theory
Mar 21-25th Reading: Karl Marx & Freidrich Engels, The Communist Manifesto (pgs.14-34)
Reading: Karl Marx, Economic & Philosophic Manuscripts –(pgs. 28-35 & 36-39)
SPRING BREAK March 26-April 3rd
Week 10: April 4-10th
Reading: Karl Marx, Economic & Philosophic Manuscripts –(pgs 28-35 & 36-39)
Reading: Charles W. Mills, The Racial Contract (Introduction & Ch 1: Overview)
Watch: 13th documentary
Wacth: Jodi Dean: Communism or Feudalism
Week 11: April 11-17th
Reading: Charles W. Mills, The Racial Contract (Introduction & Ch 1: Overview)
Discussion Post 3 (350 words MINIMUM) due
Week 12: April 18-24th
Reading: Frantz Fanon, Preface & Ch 1: ON VIOLENCE pg 7 (preface by Jean Paul Sartre) and through Fanon's chapter on Violence at least though pg 50.)
Week 13: April 25-May 1st
Reading: continue Frantz Fanon, On Violence
Suggested (not required) Nelson Maldonado-Torres, Notes on Decolonizing Philosophy: Against Epistemic Extractivism and Toward the Abolition of the Canon
Watch: Battle of Algiers
Week 14: May 2-May 8th
Reading: Anibal Quijano, Coloniality of Power, Eurocentrism and Latin America (p. 533-543)
Reading: Maria Lugones, Coloniality of Gender (p. 1-6)
Watch: Abolition 101
Discussion Post 4 Anti-racist & decolonial presentation outline due
Week 15: May 9-15th
Reading: Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor, From #Black Lives to Black Liberation (CH 7)
Watch: Angela Y. Davis, Prison Industrial Complex
Week 16: May 16-20th.
Anti-racist & decolonial theory & solutions Presentation