Overview
In what theoretical context was the Constitution created? What issues were salient for the Founders? A great deal of modern scholarship treats the early Republic as an outgrowth of the philosophic tradition associated with liberalism. This seminar will examine these claims by comparing that tradition with some of the more influential Founders. We will begin with the Federalist Papers and some letters and speeches by James Madison in order to orient ourselves. We will next turn to Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, and Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu. We will conclude the course with Alexis de Tocqueville’s analysis of the American republic for a retrospective look at the regime that was created.
Required Texts
- Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, & John Jay, The Federalist Papers, ed. Clinton Rossiter and Charles R. Kesler (New York: Mentor Books [Penguin], 1999). ISBN: 0451628810.
- Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, ed., Edwin Curley (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1994). ISBN: 0872201775
- John Locke, Second Treatise of Government, ed. Richard Cox (Wheeling, Illinois: Harlan Davidson, Inc., 1982). ISBN: 0882951254.
- John Locke, A Letter Concerning Toleration, ed. James H. Tully (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1983). ISBN: 091514560X
- Montesquieu, The Spirit of the Laws, ed. Anne M. Cohler, et al. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1989). ISBN: 0521369746
- Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, ed. Harvey C. Mansfield and Delba Winthrop (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000). ISBN: 0226805360
Grading
15% Weekly Papers, no more than one double-spaced page in length, due by the beginning of each Friday seminar on topics assigned in class. There will be no paper due in weeks where you hand in an essay or the last week of class. The lowest paper will be dropped (i.e., ten papers, nine of which count). No late papers will be accepted.
25% First Essay, due October 27 by the beginning of class. Essays should not exceed 3000 words. Late essays, in the absence of a valid excuse, will be penalized 3%, plus 2% per day, excluding holidays and weekends (e.g., 5% for the first day, 7% for the second, 9% for the third, etc.). Late penalties will cease to accrue once they reach 21%, though affected students are of course encouraged to submit essays beyond this point.
35% Second Essay, due December 1 by the beginning of class. Essays should not exceed 5000 words. Late penalties as for the first essay.
25% Class Participation.
Class Schedule
09/06 Introduction
09/08 Federalist Papers, No. 1–14
09/13 Federalist Papers, No. 15–36; Madison, “Vices”
09/15 Federalist Papers, No. 37–51
09/20 Federalist Papers, No. 52–66
09/22 Federalist Papers, No. 67–85; Madison, “Memorial,” “Amendments”
09/27 Leviathan, Letter Dedicatory, Introduction, Part I: Ch. 1–8
09/29 Leviathan, Part I: Ch. 8–16
10/04 Leviathan, Part II
10/06 Second Treatise and A Letter Concerning Toleration
10/11 Spirit of the Laws, Forward, Preface, Books 1–5
10/13 Spirit of the Laws, Books 6–8
10/18 Spirit of the Laws, Book 11
10/20 Spirit of the Laws, Books 12–13
10/25 Spirit of the Laws, Book 19
10/27 Spirit of the Laws, Books 20–21
11/01 Spirit of the Laws, Books 23–24
11/03 Spirit of the Laws, Books 25–26
11/08 Democracy in America, Vol. I: Introduction, Part 1: Ch. 1–5
11/10 Democracy in America, Vol. I: Part 1: Ch. 6–8
11/15 Democracy in America, Vol. I: Part 2: Ch. 1–6
11/17 Democracy in America, Vol. I: Part 2: Ch. 7–9, Ch. 10: pp. 348–396
11/22 Thanksgiving Recess. No Class
11/24 Thanksgiving Recess. No Class
11/29 Democracy in America, Vol. II: Notice, Part 1
12/01 Democracy in America, Vol. II: Part 2
12/06 Democracy in America, Vol. II: Part 3
12/08 Democracy in America, Vol. II: Part 4