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Winter 2005 Advance Course Information This information effective for Winter 2005. Check with instructor the first day of class for any changes. [POLI-043] [POLI-070] [POLI-105A][POLI-160B] [POLI-173] [POLI-190D] [POLI-190Y] [POLI-201] Note: Syllabus from Fall 2003 Instructor: Michael Urban Course Description: The focus of this course falls primarily on six nation-states recently established on the Eurasian land mass: Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgystan, Tajikstan, and Turkmenistan. The central question that it poses is both disarmingly simple and devilishly complex: How do the many different peoples inhabiting this vast space mange to live peacefully with themselves and others (something that they don't always manage to do)? This question concerning the formation of political communities is explored from a number of angles, using one or more of the states in question to illustrate concretely and in detail conditions and processes common to all of them. Accordingly, consideration of the disintegration of the repressive capacities of the state apparatus that has taken place in Russia instructs us generally about that same process transpiring in the other states and informs our subsequent consideration of chaos in Kazakhstan. Likewise, consideration of chaos in Kazakhstan tells us something about post-socialist societies elsewhere in the region and provides a background for understanding such things as militant Islam in Central Asia and the impact of global capitalism on these states. In the final sections of the course, we examine two, not unrelated, aspects of Eurasian politics. The first concerns "Eurasia" as a place, indeed a very dangerous place, wherein all manner of international issues come to a head: access to vast energy deposits and the contest to control them and related transportation routes; social conflict within and across borders exacerbated by the rise of militant Islam; the development of local economies supplying global markets with illegal drugs, arms, and women. The second involves "Eurasia" as an idea. That is, "Eurasia" has come to represent for certain political forces in Russia and elsewhere in the region an imagined alternative to the status quo, one that challenges U.S. global hegemony and predicts for Russia a return to great power status by means of reconstructing its own hegemony in Eurasia. Course Requirements: In addition to attending lectures, participating in discussion section, and sitting for two exams (a mid-term and a final), each student is required to submit a comparative book review (5-7 pages in length). In it, the student compares and contrasts two or more books on Eurasian politics (approved by the instructor or teaching assistant) that deal with the same or similar subject matter. As such, these books might concern a single topic as it appears in two or more states (say, for instance, the make-up, conduct, and importance of executive institutions or the continuation and revival of traditional practices related to politics), or concern exclusively a single state. The purpose of the review is, of course, to demonstrate one's knowledge of both the books themselves and the general subject matter that they address, so pulling relevant course readings into this paper as commentary on the topic under discussion is a preferred approach. This paper is due on November 26. Texts:
The remaining readings can be found either at the reserve desk in McHenry Library or on electronic reserve under the password: Eurasia. All course readings fall into the category "required." Topics and Readings: 1. Introduction (lecture)
3. Soviet Union: Nations Made and Unmade
4. The Birth of the Russian Nation-State
5. Capitalism, Violence and State Formation in Russia
6. Russian Social and Political Identities
7. Independence: The Case of Kazakhstan
8. Social and Political Conflict in Central Asia
9. Central Asia in the Global Economy
10. Central Asia and International Security
********** Politics 4. Eurasian Politics Write 1,000 words (4-5 double-spaced, typed pages) on one of the following topics. Cite briefly in your essay the sources on which you rely. 1. In what ways might political Islam recommend itself to the peoples of Central Asia? On the other hand, what impediments might there be to the development of a transnational Islamic movement in this region? Include both of these aspects of the problem, and structure your answer around the following themes: chaos, its origins and effects; social relations and types of social networks; and post-Soviet identities. 2. Since the time of perestroika, what policies has Moscow pursued toward the republics—now independent states—of Central Asia? Which states—inside and outside the region—have been Moscow's competitors and collaborators? How do factors internal to Russian politics express themselves in that country's foreign relations with the states of this region? Instructor: Ronnie Lipschutz For course information, go to 105A. Ancient Political Thought Instructor: Dean Mathiowetz Draft Syllabus: This syllabus is subject to change Course Description The study of ancient political thought puts us in contact with a culture greatly different from ours, but one that nonetheless has an indelible and ongoing influence on us. The Greeks, Romans, Jews, and early Christians faced problems that are not unlike those in our time, like the tensions between democracy and empire, knowledge and power, citizen and polity. Many cultural eruptions from the classical period still affect us today. How did the transition from an oral to a written culture, for example, affect Greek ideas about law, justice, and action? Other classical political ideas may seem strange to us. How, for example, did the Greeks conceive of citizenship and justice without rights? How did the ancient Greeks' distinctive vocabulary facilitate visions of political community that are counterintuitive today? In this course, we will grapple with some major works in ancient political thought and engage in political theorizing as a systematic intellectual enterprise. The course both is historical and encourages a close relationship to the primary texts. Our goal is to discover in these foundational texts resources for understanding politics and political life today. Requirements Course requirements are as follows:
The goal of the essays is to promote careful reading and scholarly articulation of your views of the readings, and synthesis of the readings with other course activities. I will provide you with a few prompts for each essay. Your essays will be evaluated by your use of textual evidence and argumentation, your originality, and clear exposition. Improvement of these skills from the midterm to the final essay is also an important course objective. The goal of the comprehensive final exam is to gauge the breadth of your engagement with the material. I will explain in lecture the significance of the final exam for your grade. Attendance at no fewer than seven section meetings, satisfactory completion of the two papers, and completion of the final exam, are necessary (but not necessarily sufficient) conditions for passing the course. Extensions and incompletes are not options. Do not take the course if you foresee any reason whatsoever that you cannot meet a scheduled deadline or sit for the scheduled final exam. Contact your TA immediately—and in advance of any due dates—should urgent, unavoidable, and unforeseen circumstances interfere with your completion of any of the requirements. Readings The readings are the foundation of the course. The reading is dense and difficult, and the load is consistently heavy. Don't take the course if you don't like to read. You must give sufficient time to actively read the materials slowly, carefully, and thoughtfully. You must also take time to digest and reflect on the readings prior to attendance in lecture and discussion. If you have taken these steps and are still having difficulty with the reading you should arrange to see your TA or me in office hours. Required for purchase (please buy only these editions):
Required reading available for purchase from Copy Services or on-line reserve at http://eres.ucsc.edu (password: "politics"):
Note: If you choose to use ERes to obtain the course readings, be aware you must bring complete copies of the readings with you to lecture and section meetings! Academic Dishonesty Plagiarism is presenting another person's words or ideas as your own, that is, without proper attribution. This includes words or ideas of unknown authorship, such as those that frequently appear on the Internet. I promptly investigate suspicions of plagiarism and do not hesitate to bring charges of academic misconduct against a student when I have evidence or other reason to suspect dishonesty. ********** Schedule of Lectures and Reading Assignments (30 Lectures) Lecture 1: Ancient Visions of Politics
Lecture 2: Setting the Stage for Political Thought
Lectures 3 & 4: Greece and the Greeks
Lectures 5–7: The Decline of Athens
Lectures 8–11: The Legacy of Socrates
Lectures 12–15: Plato and the Athenian Crisis
Lectures 16 & 17: "The Master Science of the Good": Aristotelian Ethics
***Midterm Essay Due*** Lectures 18–20: "The Highest Association": Aristotle Recovers the Polis
Lectures 21 & 22: Constitutions, Legislation, and the Best Practicable State
Lectures 23 & 24: From Polis to Res Publica: The Rise of Rome
Lectures 25–27: The Judeo-Christian Worldview
Lectures 28–30: Christian Love and Political Order
***Final Paper Due at Final Exam *** Draft: Subject to change MW, 5:00–6:45 p.m. Course Description: This is an upper division core course for international relations. It addresses how and to what extent global organizations are changing the international system, increasingly creating a global system. It examines the impact of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank on the domestic politics and foreign policies of member states. It also explores regional organizations in various geographic areas such as Europe, Africa, and Latin America, but with an emphasis on Asia. The final segment of this course looks at nonstate actors, including private corporations, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and transnational networks, examining how their existence and activities are transforming global politics. The overriding concern of this course is to discern macro-historical changes in global politics by exploring how these global organizations are affecting the role and primacy of the state. Course Requirements: Reading assignments, class attendance and participation: 15% Discussion Sections Short papers: 30% General rules about these short papers: All papers should be 3-5 pages, double-spaced, and 12 font. Be sure to number your pages. No e-mail attachments will be accepted. Every day that a paper is late, its grade will be reduced by one full grade; that is, an A will become a B. Papers may not be rewritten for a better grade, but you are welcome to submit an additional short paper on another week's topic as extra credit. If a student wishes to contest a grade given by a TA, then s/he should resubmit the paper to the professor, but with the understanding that the professor might lower the grade. Grades on papers graded by the professor are final. Some students will have the option to substitute one of these short papers by participating in an in-class debate. The debate teams will argue either pro or con about the United Nations, the World Bank, multinational corporations, or transnational networks. Each debater will be required to submit an outline of his/her argument at the beginning of that class. Midterm and final exams: 55% (25% and 30%, respectively) Books: Required books recommended for purchase:
Weekly Reading Assignments: Week 1: Global Organizations Challenge the State's Primacy
Week 2: United Nations as Global Organization
Week 3: Inequality among Member States
Week 4: International Financial Institutions as Global Organization
Week 5: Global Organization on the Regional Level
Mid term Exam on Monday, 14 February Week 6: Private Corporations as Global Organization
Week 7: Transnational Networks as Global Organization
Week 8: Networks and Diasporas as Global Organization
Week 9: Global Culture and Terror
Week 10: Review
Instructor: Isebill Gruhn Course Description The course is intended as an introduction to the basic principles and processes of international law and an examination of some contemporary issues in international law. The text for the course is William R. Slomanson, Fundamental Perspectives on International Law, 4th edition. Students are also required to read the NY Times on a daily basis and be prepared to use text and lecture materials to analyze and discuss international law issues arising during the quarter. There will be two class quizzes and two take-home essay assignments. Lecture class and discussion section attendance is required. 190D. Early Socialist and Anarchist Thought Instructor: Megan Thomas Course Description Studies in 19th- and early 20th-century anarchist and socialist thought. Themes covered include Catholicism, Darwinism, property and the state, and organizing labor. Readings are drawn from Bakunin, Chernyshevsky, Goldman, Fourier, Kropotkin, Proudhon, Saint-Simon, and Stirner. Tentative Course Schedule: Week 1: Introduction Unit A: Catholicism and Darwinism (Weeks 2-5): Unit B: Property and the State (Weeks 6-7): Unit C: Organizing Labor (Weeks 8-9): Week 10: Conclusions Tentative Reading List:
190Y. The Politics of “Interest” Instructor: Dean Mathiowetz Course Description This is a course about the powers of language, explored by way of sustained reflection on a rather ubiquitous and pedestrian word: interest. Many—perhaps even most—contemporary political discourses (both politics and the study of politics) use the term 'interest' to describe somebody's political motivation. Knowing something about interests seems critical to knowing anything about politics. But how do we know what an interest is? Is it a psychological state, a relation to or reflection of somebody's external circumstances, or some other kind of 'thing'? Is interest inherently rational, or a kind of desire? Could it be both at once, and how? In what sense can groups, nations, states, and even inanimate things be said to "have interests"? To venture answers to questions like these, we will read language philosophy to develop perspectives on the role of words (and 'interest' in particular) in political study and activity. Having thereby prospected a method for reading discourses and texts, we will turn to a sample of texts in political theory and social science that invoke 'interest.' We'll try to figure out what the word is doing in the study of politics, doing to us as the subjects of that study, and doing for us as political actors. Requirements This course is best for upper-division students who have had some exposure to political theorizing as a sustained intellectual enterprise. Exposure to philosophy of language, early modern or modern political theory, political economy, and/or international relations theory is helpful but not required. We will meet twice a week for 105 minutes beginning promptly at 10:00 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I have assigned readings on a per-week basis. We'll discuss all the week's reading on Tuesday and again on Thursday. It is your responsibility to read the assigned materials before our Tuesday meeting, and to reflect on Tuesday's discussion and perhaps review some of the materials before Thursday's meeting. It is my responsibility to evaluate your achievement in our seminar, which I will do thusly:
Check your calendar: If you foresee any reason why you cannot satisfy any of these requirements, do not take the course. Should urgent, unavoidable, and unforeseen circumstances interfere with your productivity in the course, see me immediately and in advance of any deadlines. Readings The readings are the foundation of the course. Even the apparently straightforward materials must be studied with patience and care, owing to the rigorous and methodical reading our subject matter demands. You must give sufficient time to actively read the materials slowly, carefully, and thoughtfully. You must also take time to digest and reflect on the readings prior to seminar. Don't take this course if you don't like to read and can't get a least a little puzzled by language (i.e., how words "mean" things). Participation The format of the seminar is discussion after my introductory remarks—participation in discussion is required. "Just showing up" is not participation. Do not come to class if you are not prepared to participate. Obviously, frequent absence or treating our seminar like a spectator sport will seriously harm your grade. Although participation by correspondence is acceptable, I strongly encourage you to vary your mode of participation. Participating in nearly only one way (e.g., reacting to every Tuesday's discussion by writing me before every Thursday), or participating poorly (e.g., dashing off a quick e-mail before class; emitting a long, rambling, top-of-your head letter) will not serve your grade and evaluations well. You may choose to send your e-mail only to me or to the entire class. Midterm Paper For your midterm paper, you will collect examples from a public or scholarly debate, or a political theory text in which 'interest' is frequently or significantly invoked (e.g., what constitutes the "national interest"; the problem of "interest-group" or "special interest" politics, the question of persons' "real interests.") Based on your example, write 6-7 pages analyzing how 'interest' is used in the context of this text or debate. Show also how the text's argument or the debate proceeds on that way of using 'interest' or conflicting ways of using 'interest'. You should also write a paragraph or two in which you reflect more broadly on the importance of your topic: What political problem does the invocation of interest pose or contain? How do the uses of 'interest' in the debate or text of your choosing reflect or refract this problem? The midterm paper is due at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 8. At that time, you must also submit a one-page précis of your paper and an eight to twelve page sample of your source materials for the papers. The sample must be neatly photocopied in a reader-ready format. (If you're not sure what this means, look at our course reader: the copies are legible, with no black space around the margins.) You also want to choose a sample that will make some sense to your readers and enable them to help you think through your topic. I will collect and distribute the précis and source materials as a supplementary reader, organized by theme. During our meetings on February 26, March 2, 4, and 9, we will discuss each of these four topics in turn, based on the materials submitted by the class. You will thereby have the benefit of discussion related to your paper topic, and be given the opportunity to engage your colleagues' research, writing, and ideas. Because the précis and your source-sample must be put into the supplementary reader, no late papers midterm papers can be accepted. Term Paper Your final paper of 17–20 pages will incorporate and build upon your midterm paper by expanding upon your source materials, sharpening your analysis, and extending your reflection on the political significance of how 'interest' is used in the public debate, theoretical text, or scholarly study of your choosing? Explicitly justify the perspective on language you find most persuasive or useful, and indicate how this perspective informs your analysis of 'interest.' The term paper is due at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 15. Please note that I will only accept hard copies of your papers. Reading List A course reader will be available for purchase. What follows is a list of works from which most of the course readings will be drawn.
Instructor: Eleonora Pasotti For syllabi, assignments, course description, etc., go to: |
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