Course Documents

These first documents need to be downloaded and read by each member of the class, as the fundamental guidelines for the course are provided therein.

The course syllabus lists the general requirements and expectations for the course. All specifics can be located on this website.

The stylesheet explains how to format all papers for this class. All papers that you hand in for credit, except for in-class activities, must adhere to this stylesheet.

This document explains and shows how to properly reference all of your works for this class. The APSA is the American Political Science Association. This document provides explanations how to properly cite and reference your sources. The easiest way to fail this class is to fail to cite and reference your sources. The easiest way to lose points in this class is to fail to cite and reference properly.

These course documents are more specific, as they all refer to specific reading assignments. These are not the written assignments associated with the readings, they are thought questions only.

This is the list of reading assignments for The Communist Manifesto along with some questions designed to make you think about the readings. Read these questions both before and after you actually read the section. The before will give you things to pick out of the reading. the after will refresh your memory about what the reading covered.

This is the list of reading assignments for Ecotopia along with some questions designed to make you think about the readings. Read these questions both before and after you actually read the section. The before will give you things to pick out of the reading. The after will refresh your memory about what the reading covered. (Amazing... the same suggestions as for The Communist Manifesto.)

These course documents are some of the actual readings. As it is illegal to post things on the Internet that are either not in the public domain or to which I do not have legal copyright, these do not include all of the readings. The rest of the readings can be accessed from the calendar section of this website. However, realize that there are some readings that can only be accessed from campus locations. As you will not know these before trying them, I would highly suggest that you do not wait until the night before to try to access the readings.

This activity will have you work your way through the website looking for the right answers, which may be right in front of you or may be hidden in logical locales. Make sure you follow the directions carefully.

This reading, an address by Richard Feynman to the 1974 USC graduating class, explains the weaknesses in today's pseudo-scientific world.

Here, I attempt to explain what makes science what it is. I further discuss the parts of science, including the differences between theory and fact. This is especially important in light of the recent attempts by the ID people to enter the science classroom with their non-science.

In this reading, I explain the fundamentals of classical conservatism. I lean heavily on Burke, arguably the most import classical conservative in history, to explain what drives a true conservative and why.

Here, Mrs. Gladders explores Machiavelli's most famous writing, The Prince, from the standpoint of its historical and political meanings. The review questions at the end further bring into light Machiavelli's points and why this Florentine has not passed into obscurity. In fact, I personally would argue that Machiavelli is currently more important philosophically than Hobbes, Locke, or Montesquieu/Madison.

John Rawls, a Harvard philosopher, laid out the best foundations of current Modern Liberalism theory. Laying his foundations on a state of nature and on the veil of ignorance, Rawls logically shows the requirements of a just society. Here, Forsberg explores his political theory and analyses it.

These are the links to further information about each of the assignments due during the course of the semester. In each, make sure you follow the stylesheet and you properly format and create your reference list.

Due: January 12, 2007; 20 points

Various due dates; 20 points each

Due: February 9, 2007; 20 points

Due: February 16, 2007; 20 points

Due: April 27, 2007; 40 points

Due: April 27, 2007; 20 points