Political Science

Teaching

Spring 2018

POLS 311 Pillars of Western Political Thought: Hobbes to Foucault

Great works of political philosophy from early modernity to the present. Themes include social contract theory and justifications for obedience to government, revolutionary theory, the effects of democratic government on individuality and society, and the dangers of politics in the present day. Works may include Hobbes’ Leviathan, Locke’s Second Treatise of Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration, Rousseau’s Discourse on the Origin of Inequality and On the Social Contract, Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France, Marx and Engels’ Manifesto of the Communist Party, de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, Nietzsche’s Beyond Good and Evil, and Arendt’s The Origins of Totalitarianism.

POLS 400 Senior Thesis

Choosing a definitive topic and narrowing it; developing a research design, doing the research, submitting drafts, revising drafts, polishing final copy. Presenting thesis to political science faculty and seniors for critique, rewrite of thesis. Final form due at end of semester. Normally taken for 2 credits in both fall and spring semesters of senior year for a total of 4 credits. A deferred grade will be issued for the first semester of the yearlong series. When the full sequence is completed, the given grade applies to both semesters.

Academic Credentials

B.A. Political Science and English, Colgate University, 1993

Ph.D. Politics, Princeton University, 2004