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 10-11, TR 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
class 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 19th, 20th, and 21st
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 bookend the course
with 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. Our weekly meetings are meant to be discussions about the readings, and you won’t be able to participate if you haven’t read them. You will write a 7-9 page paper on a topic to be determined later by mutual agreement, which is due April 27th. In our final meeting, May 4th, we will discuss the papers.
Statement on Open Discussion of Controversial Issues: This course deals with issues that are always provocative and controversial. A requirement of the class is a willingness to listen to and debate others’ points of view and a commitment to freedom of expression. There is no requirement to accept any view, but toleration is crucial. If you are not comfortable with lively and vigorous debate in which your views will be challenged and in which you may freely challenge others’ views (including the professor’s), you should not take this class. The willingness to engage in critical examination and critical re-thinking of what you think you know and what others think they know to be true is a central prerequisite for the class. There will not be any “trigger warnings” in this class. The phrase “I’m offended” indicates an emotional state, not an argument. If you are easily offended, please do not take this class.
General Outline, with assignments
Mondays, except as noted:
Jan 26 – Introductory material – HW: read V for Vendetta
Feb 2 – Discussing V. HW: Stringham chapters 1, 24, 33, + web assignments
Feb 9 – Discussing history of anarchist thought. HW: finish section III
WED Feb 18 [NB: BSU closed 2/16; 2/18 is Mon schedule] – Continued discussion of history. HW: begin reading ch. 2-9
Feb 23 -- Discussion of anarchist theory in section I. HW: finish section I
Mar 2 – Continued discussion of theory. HW: begin reading section II
Mar 9- Spring Break
Mar 16 -- Discussion
of points of disagreement. HW: section
II selections tba
Mar 23 – Continued discussion of points of disagreement. HW: section II selections, other readings possible
Mar 30– From theory to cases. HW: section IV
Apr 6 – Continued discussion of case studies. HW: section IV
Apr 13 – Final thoughts on theory and cases,
thoughts on methodology
HW: read Probability Broach, finish papers
Apr 20- BSU closed
Apr 27– Discussing Probability Broach; papers due today
May 4 – last day of class; discussion of student papers