Requirements: Power, Resistance, and Socio-Political Transformation
a) Regular attendance and active participation in class discussions: 20% of grade
This course is conceptualized as a seminar that is discussion- (and not lecture-) based. Students are expected to come regularly to class prepared and in a position to discuss the assigned texts. Being prepared implies first, that students need to have read all the assigned texts before our class meets. Second, it means that students are ready to refer to passages in the texts that pertain to questions we are aiming to answer during our sessions.
b) Three Papers:
Two shorter papers (between 1500 and 2000 words excluding footnotes): 15% of grade each
and one final research paper (between 5000 and 6000 words excluding footnotes): 30% of grade
Content:
Students need to first, provide a clear statement of their question and thesis; second, outline a thorough reconstruction of the thinker’s arguments; third, engage in a critical evaluation of the discussed thinker; and fourth, provide a clear conclusion. Students also need to properly cite and use textual evidence to support their arguments.
c) Three in-class presentations
1) Each student is responsible for presenting (maximum 15 minutes) the main ideas/arguments and a critical evaluation of the arguments found in the primary readings of a thinker. The student poses four questions for classroom discussion and distributes an outline of her/his presentation to all members of the class at the time of presentation: 10% of grade
2) Each student will be responsible to present an article on one of the thinkers and a relevant topic for class. S/he aims to find this article in a major political theory and philosophy journal and presents the major arguments of this article and four questions in our classroom discussions. These presentations take place in the Contemporary Engagements sections: 5% of grade
3) Each student will also be responsible for presenting (maximum 10 minutes) her/his final research paper (on December 4): 5% of grade
General Course Policies:
1) The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus if necessary.
2) You must complete all assignments to receive a grade for this course.
3) Late Papers: Late papers will be penalized 1/3 of a letter grade for each day that they are late (e.g., a B+ becomes a B if one day late). Extensions will be granted only if you have made arrangements with me at least 24 hours in advance of the due date and only in exceptional circumstances.
4) Missed Presentations: A make-up presentation will be granted only if you have made arrangements with me at least 24 hours in advance of the due date and only in exceptional circumstances.
5) Missed classes: Each student is allowed one absence regardless of reason. I expect you to miss not more than one class. If you miss more than one you need to provide me with a written statement why you are missing class. Chronic absences effect the participation grade (20% of grade).
6) Any student who plagiarizes any portion of an assignment will receive zero points on that assignment and the case will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
The standards of Conduct for Students can be found at http://conduct.wsu.edu.
Information regarding Academic Integrity policies can be found here: http://academicintegrity.wsu.edu/Default.asp
g) All applicable University rules and regulations for student conduct will be applied in this course.
7) The final grading scale will closely follow the standard university scale.
8) Every kind of entertainment, which is not related to the class, is not accepted—please refrain from using iPods/Pads, MP3 players, laptop computers, etc. Mobile phones must be switched off during class.
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9)Reasonable accommodations are available for students with a documented disability, If you have a disability and need accommodations to fully participate in this class, please either visit or call the Access Center (Washington Building 217; 509-335-3417) to schedule an appointment with an Access Advisor. All accommodations must be approved through the Access Center.