Political Philosophy – PPOG 503

Course Description

This course studies the most influential political philosophers who substantially influence the Western political and legal thought processes, for better or worse, from ancient Greece, through Western European development and the American Founding era to the modern era.

Rationale

This course is a required core course in the Master of Art in Public Policy program. It provides a broad graduate-level introduction to selected philosophers and philosophies that have shaped and continue to shape Western political and legal thought.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be 450–500 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, organized through the persuasive (logic) essay writing format, and include at least 3 scholarly references to course readings and at least 1 thoughtful, thematic Scripture reference. In addition to the thread, the the student is required to reply to at least 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 200–250 words and include at least 1 scholarly reference to course readings and at least 1 thoughtful Scripture reference. Each reply post must be unique; merely posting the same reply in two places is not sufficient and may be treated as a form of academic misconduct.  Current APA format is the writing style.

Short Research Paper Assignments (2)

The student is required to submit 2 Short Research Papers organized through the persuasive (logic) essay writing format. The papers is 2 pages written in current APA format, utilize and cite at least 5 scholarly sources (including thoughtfully, interpreted scriptural reference(s) as appropriate) to justify the student’s position and/or conclusions, and must, in all other respects, be in accord with the standards of academic writing.

News Article Review Assignment

The student will write a News Article Review organized through the persuasive (logic) essay writing format. The review must be 1 to 1 1/2 pages double spaced. In the review, the student must summarize the article in order to demonstrate comprehension of the content and must identify key elements discussed in the article and relate those elements back to concepts discussed in the course. The review must relate the relevant ideas from at least 2 philosophers in the course to the argument in the article, including excerpts from their writings with references to the course text.  Current APA format is the writing style. 

Quiz: Final Research Paper: Topic Description

In preparation of the Final Research Paper Assignment, you will submit a quiz in Module 3: Week 3 with 5 essay questions. These will include information about your future research paper, including your topic description, a tentative thesis statement, 2 sources relevant to the subject, whether you will use primary source materials, 2 or 3 key issues you will address in the paper, and alternative positions to your thesis statement. Current APA format is the writing style.

Final Research Paper Assignment

The student is required to write a Research Paper organized through the persuasive (logic) essay writing format. The paper must be 7–10 pages written in current APA format, utilize and cite at least 7–10 appropriate sources in sufficient quantity to justify the student’s position and/or conclusions, and must, in all other respects, be in accord with the standards of academic writing. Scriptural references should be thoughtfully interpreted and applicable.  The student should begin considering a relevant subject for final paper in the Module 1: Week 1.  The student will be asked to preview his or her final research paper through a focused research paper topic description in Module 3: Week 3.