MODERNITY AND THE NATION-STATE
1. Wednesday, August 23. The Modern Nation-State.
Today's Assumption: The Nation-State can be a common denominator that links states together. But this doesn't mean that all states are nation-states, nor does it mean that the nation-state has always been around (It hasn't).
2. Friday, August 25. Discussion Section.
Discusssion #1: Who belongs in the United States and why?
S. Huntington , “The Hispanic Challenge,” Foreign Policy, Course Reader, pp. 3-18.
R. Scruton, The West and the Rest, pp. vii-xi.
Huntington's welcome in Mexico
Lou Dobbs Tonight: The Situation Room
America's Statue of Liberty
Assignment: A one-paragraph essay assignment on this topic is due by the time of your discussion section today. Take a stand: "Under what terms does Samuel Huntington welcome Hispanics (and Hispanic Catholics) into the American nation-state?" Or does he? For important details about how to do this assignment, go here.
3. Monday, August 28. Modern Values and Institutions.
Today's Assumption: We are all modern. But what do we mean by "we"? Can anyone or any society be totally modern?
C. Black, et al., (Reader, pp. 30-40).
Scruton, The West and the Rest, ch. 1.
L. Kass, “The End of Courtship,” Public Interest, Sept. 23, 2002. Course Reader, pp. 19-29.
4. Wednesday, August 30. Liberalism and Modernity.
Today's Assumption: Liberalism is one form of modernity. But it is not the only one.
John Stuart Mill, selections from On Liberty. Course Reader, pp. 41-66.
5. Friday, September 1. Discussion Section.
Discussion #2: Why are we all Liberals, at least most of us? Sorry, but it's true.
Read and reflect up the following controversy. How would Mill recommend that we handle it? Note: Not doing anyting is the same thing as doing something. Also, is Ward Churchill a classical liberal? Your paragraph assignment is here.
The Ward Churchill Controversy:
Three
statements, including the infamous "Some People Push Back: On the Justice of Roosting Chickens." Course Reader, pp. 67-72.
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