Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2025 - POL 210 B100

Introduction to Political Philosophy (3)

Class Number: 3709

Delivery Method: Blended

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: TBA, TBA
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    POL 100 or permission of department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of concepts presented by the major political thinkers of the western world. The course surveys those ideas which remain at the root of our political institutions, practices and ideals against a background of the periods in which they were expressed. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will provide students with an understanding of the historical, conceptual, and normative foundations of the contemporary study of politics. It will introduce students to several key texts in the history of western political thought and philosophy. Through a close study of these texts, students will explore different understandings of nature, justice, virtue, the good, freedom, democracy, power, authority, legitimacy, equality, rights, obligation, and other political concepts. Necessarily, this course will uncover the elitist, classist, sexist, racist, and ableist underpinnings of much of the western intellectual tradition. The course will help students think critically and write analytically about political institutions and life.

Course Organization: We cover a lot of material in this course, but I’ve tried to make it all as accessible as possible. There will be one lecture a week. Students are welcome to attend in person (Thurs., 2:30-4:20); alternatively, students may listen to lectures via Canvas. I’ve developed Canvas modules with narrated PowerPoint lectures, as well as my PDF lecture notes. The modules include additional optional materials that may be of interest. There will be one 50 minute, in-person tutorial a week, which is required.

Grading

  • Tutorial Participation 20%
  • Written Reflections 15%
  • Mid-Term Test 30%
  • Final Test 35%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, As we Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom through Radical Resistance (Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2017)

Charles Mills, The Racial Contract (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1997).

Plato, Republic, trans. C.D.C. Reeve (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2004). G.M.A. Grube Translation is also fine, as is the Reeve and Grube translation!

Aristotle, Politics, trans. C.D.C. Reeve (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 1998).

Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince, eds. Quentin Skinner and Russell Price (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000). Oxford Classics is fine too.

Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, ed. Christopher Brooke (Toronto: Penguin Random House Canada, 2017

John Locke, Second Treatise of Government, ed. C.B. Macpherson (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 1980).

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.