Syllabus – keep handy for reference
Dr. Aeon J. Skoble
341 Tillinghast, x2460
Email: askoble@bridgew.edu Web: http://webhost.bridgew.edu/askoble
Office hours: M 10:15-11:15, TTH 1:45-2:45, or by appointment
Texts:
Edward Stringham
(editor), Anarchy and the Law
Alan Moore and
David Lloyd, V for Vendetta
L. Neil Smith, The Probability Broach
Additional readings to be distributed in class or via the course web page
Overview and
objectives:
While some associate anarchism with violence
and chaos, most philosophical proponents of anarchism have something more
subtle in mind, and not always the same thing.
Many are surprised to find out, for example, that there are capitalist as
well as communist conceptions of anarchism, or that many have written about
legal systems in an anarchist society. This
colloquium will explore the many different philosophical defenses of and
criticisms of anarchism, from the point of view of communism, liberalism, and
libertarianism. Different theories of
human nature will be considered as appropriate. We will read selections from both 19th
century and 20th century anarchist thought, and we will contrast the
differing perspectives on the nature of freedom that they presuppose or
explore. In addition to key
philosophical texts, most of which are contained in the Stringham anthology, we
will read two fictional explorations of these themes. Other readings may be distributed via
photocopied handouts or the web.
Requirements:
This is a one-credit class. We will meet once a week to discuss the readings, and I expect that you will have actually read the material. The word “colloquium” literally means we will be talking together, so don’t expect much lecturing on my part. Our weekly meetings really will be discussions about the readings, and you won’t be able to participate if you haven’t read them. You will write an 8-10 page paper on a topic to be determined later by mutual agreement, which is due April 28th. In our final meeting, May 5th, we will discuss the papers.
General Outline, with assignments
Mondays, except as noted:
Jan 28 – Introductory material – HW: read V
for Vendetta
Feb 4 – discussing V. HW: chapters 1, 24, 33, + web assignments
Feb 11 – discussing history of anarchist thought. HW: finish section III
Feb 20 (Wed) – continued discussion of history. HW: begin reading ch. 2-9
Feb 25 -- discussion of anarchist theory in section I. HW: finish section I
Mar 3 – continued discussion of theory. HW: begin reading section II
Mar 10 – discussion of points of disagreement. HW: section II selections tba
[Mar 17 -- Spring Break, no class]
Mar 24 – continued discussion of points of disagreement. HW: section II selections tba
Mar 31 – discussion tba. HW: start working through section IV
Apr 7 – discussion of case studies. HW: finish section IV
Apr 14 – continued discussion of case studies. HW: read Smith, finish papers
[Apr 21 – college is closed today, no class]
Apr 28 –
discussing Smith; papers
due today
May 5 – Discussion of student papers