 |
 |
| THE PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS & THE PUBLIC JUNIOR YEAR SEQUENCE This two semester sequence examines the philosophical and historical elements behind the formation of the modern democratic public. Key texts in modern political philosophy are discussed in conjunction with the historical events surrounding the two great revolutions of the 18th century in America and in France. The spring semester offers a critical evaluation of the classic texts devoted to an appraisal of what those revolutions had accomplished. Both fall and spring courses will be accompanied by a second course pertinent to this material. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS Fall Semester PHIL 338: Enlightenment and Revolution According to Aristotle, the primary theme of ancient pre-Socratic philosophy was the discovery and discussion of Nature. Subsequently, a set of questions emerged regarding the relationship between Nature and political things. Specifically, Plato portrays Socrates as inquiring into whether political things are natural and, if so, to what extent. Similarly, Socrates raises the question of whether the laws, and even justice itself, have their roots in something other than mere convention. Classical political philosophy suggests that the laws must be “according to nature,” and especially according to the nature of man, if they are to be good. This course explores the modern responses to the classical explanations of law and nature, particularly the modern discussion of natural right and convention. Texts: Courses offered in conjunction with PHIL 338: Enlightenment and Revolution include... PHIL 352: Machiavelli & Bacon PHIL 385: Habermas and the Public Sphere HIST : Agora to Piazza: Public Space (in Pre-Modern European Cities) Spring Semester PHIL 339: Revolution and its Aftermath “All circumstances taken together, the French Revolution is the most astonishing that has hitherto happened in the world.” Edmond Burke “The French Revolution is such an extraordinary event that it must serve as the starting point for any systematic consideration of the affairs of our own times.” Ernest Renan During the fall semester, we studied the origins of modern politics, including its ambitious claims about nature and reason. On the basis of these claims, thinkers such as Rousseau and Locke worked out a justification for a dramatic political agenda including “revolution.” This course continues our examination of modern politics by focuses on the practical expression of political theory as it unfolded in the 18th century. Specifically, we'll focus on the first two democratic revolutions in modern history: the American Revolution and the French Revolution. In shifting to the writings of statesmen and politicians, we will discover how philosophical claims were translated into political action and thereby grasp the nature of modern politics more clearly. We shall pay particular attention to the relation between philosophy, politics, and the emergence of the Public. Texts: Courses offered in conjunction with PHIL 339: Revolution and its Aftermath include. . . ECON 316 Globalization (cross listed with Theology and History) Intersession PPP Seminar in Paris & Brussels This unique program will bring together faculty and students from the Sorbonne (University of Paris) with students from Xavier to discuss relations between the United States and Europe. Topics will include Church-State Relations, Comparative Revolutions, Federalism, International Relations, environmental issues and economic policy. The seminar will meet each day from May 11-20, 2009 on the campus of the University of Paris from 9am-Noon. Each afternoon, sightseeing and architectural field trips in and around Paris will be scheduled. A weekend trip to Versailles has been planned. From May 21-23, students will travel to Brussels to meet with representatives from the State Department and European Union. All accommodations, airfare, transportation, fieldtrips, and meals are included. Students who complete the course successfully will receive 3 units credit in Philosophy. Financial support for this Intersession is provided to the student by the program. Intersession Program in Paris Schedule for 2009 May 9, 2009, (Saturday) Depart for Paris May 10, 2009, (Sunday) Arrive in Paris, Check-in at FIAP, Orientation May 11, 2009, 9am- noon, Prof. Chantal Delsol, The Two Revolutions ("Les deux revolutions") 2:00-4:00 pm: Debriefing at the US Embassy May 12, 2009, 9:00 am - noon, Prof. Stephen Launay, Tocqueville on American Democracy: Precedent or Model? ("Tocqueville: la democratie americaine, precedent et modele?") 2:00-4:00 pm: Architectural Visit -- le Musee Carnavalet, la place des Vosges May 13, 2009, 9:00 am - noon, Prof. Gaelle Demelemestre, Political Structures: Centralization and Federalism ("Centralisme et federalisme: les organizations politiques") 2:00-4:00 pm: Architectural Visit -- Notre Dame de Paris May 14 2009, 9:00 am - noon, Prof. Joanna Nowicki, Culture and Education ("Culture et education") 2:00-4:00 pm: Architectural Visit -- Le Marais, St. Gervais, St. Paul, L'Hotel de Sully May 15 2009, 9:00 am - noon, Prof. Laurent Godmer, Liberalism: left and right, church and state ("Le mot “liberal,” la gauche et la droite, secularisation et laicite") 2:00-4:00 pm: Architectural Visit -- East facade of the Louvre, College of the Four Nations May 16, 2009, Field Trip to Versailles May 17, 2009, Free Day, Evening Meeting with Prof. Terence Marshall, "France and Europe: The Issues that Divide Us") May 18, 2009, 9:00 am - noon, Prof. Francoise Nicolas, Foreign Affairs and Policy ("Politiques‚ etrangeres") 2:00-4:00 pm: Architectural Visit -- le Palais Royale, la Galerie Vivienne, La rue des Colonnes, la Bourse May 19, 2009, 9:00 am - noon, Prof. David Smadja, The Tension between Liberty and Autonomy ("Esprit d'autonomie et esprit d'egalite") 2:00-4:00 pm: Architectural Visit -- les Tuileries, la place de la Concorde, rue de Rivoli May 20, 2009, 9:00 am - noon, Prof. Bertrand Alliot, Sustainable Development and the Environment ("Ecologie et developpement durable") 2:00-4:00 pm: Architectural Visit -- l'Opera Garnier, Saint-Germain-des-Pres May 21, 2009 Transfer to Brussels, Check-in, Meeting at EU Parliament May 22, 2009 Walking Tour of Historical Brussels, Meeting with US delegation at EU May 23, 2009 Airport Transfer, Depart for Cincinnati |
 |
First Year Courses |
|
PPP Sophomore Year Course Sequence |
|
|
|
PPP Junior Year Course Sequence |
|
Contact the Director |