Dr. Brett S. Sharp, Assistant Professor, received his Ph.D. in Political Science and Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma as well as a Bachelor of Science in Political Science/Public Affairs with a minor in Religious Studies from Oklahoma State University. He is currently the Associate Director of the Oklahoma Policy Research Center at UCO.

This course is a graduate level overview of the political philosophy of objectivism as first constructed by author and philosopher Ayn Rand. This course explores her provocative theories through analysis of selected readings along with critical discussion with the professor. The focus is on the basic fundamentals of objectivism including its foundational epistemology, ethical framework, and political and economic implications. The student will compare and contrast objectivism with competing political philosophies.

The student will read from three major works by Ayn Rand and will seek out commentary and critical analysis from a variety of outside sources. The student will then articulate an informed perspective of objectivism through discussions with the instructor and a written assignment.

TEXTS AND READINGS

Rand, Ayn. (1957). Atlas Shrugged. New York: E.P. Dutton. [1,168 pp.]

Rand, Ayn. (1957). The Fountainhead. New York: E.P. Dutton. [704 pp.]

Rand, Ayn. (1957). For the New Intellectual. New York: E.P. Dutton. [192 pp.]

Scott, Gregory M. & Garrison, Stephen M. (2001). The Political Science Student Writer’s Manual (4th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

Six articles of student’s choice from acceptable scholarly publications.

It is expected that a full-time college student will spend a minimum amount of time each week in class attendance and study out of class approaching a 40-hour week. A person employed on a full-time basis should not simultaneously expect to maintain a full-time academic schedule.

MEETINGS WITH INSTRUCTOR

Discussion of the assigned readings is an important part of succeeding in this course and is required of all students. Meeting with the instructor provides an opportunity for you to ask questions, clarify issues, and deepen your understanding of the concepts covered in the assigned readings. If you are unable to make a meeting as arranged, you are responsible for rescheduling at the instructor’s convenience and availability.

Prepare either 20-30 page, double-spaced typewritten review essay over the assigned textbooks suitable for publication. Use Scott and Garrison’s The Political Science Student Writer’s Manual as a guide. Your review should be in the form of an essay which includes a concise summary and more extensive analysis of the books. Incorporate external articles as part of your analysis. Also feel free to use the Ayn Rand Institute’s web site as a resource. A superior review essay will compare and contrast Ayn Rand’s objectivism with other competing political and social philosophies (e.g. communitarianism). Answer the following questions within the text of your report:

The University of Central Oklahoma complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who need special accommodations should make their request by contacting the coordinator of Disability Support Services at 974-2549. The office is located in the Administration Building, Room 211.

Cheating = Failure (please refer to attached Academic Integrity Statement). Cheating is unacceptable conduct and will result in an automatic grade of "F" for the course, and be reported to Academic Affairs. Students are required to do all of the work for this class on their own. Consulting with the instructor about any assignment does not constitute cheating and is encouraged.

The Political Science Department of the University of Central Oklahoma is asking all students taking political science courses to read the following Academic Integrity Statement. Our purpose in doing so is to ensure that all our students are aware of what is improper academic behavior.

As members of the academic community, students are expected to recognize and uphold standards of intellectual and academic integrity. The Political Science Department expects that its students will conduct themselves honestly. This means, above all, that students submit for credit work that is the product of their own efforts. Principles of academic integrity require that all dishonest work be rejected as a basis for academic credit, and that students refrain from any and all forms of dishonorable conduct in the course of their academic work.

The examples and definitions given below are intended to clarify the standards by which academic honesty and integrity is judged. The list is merely illustrative of some of the more common infractions. It is not intended to be exhaustive. Any question a student has about what constitutes inappropriate behavior should be directed towards their instructor. The rule of thumb to follow is: If in doubt, ASK!

Plagiarism - Plagiarism is presenting another person’s work as one’s own. Plagiarism includes not only the exact use of another’s words, word for word, but also the paraphrasing or summarizing of the works of another person without acknowledgment, including the submitting of another student’s work as one’s own. The student is responsible for understanding the legitimate use of sources, the appropriate ways of acknowledging academic, scholarly, or creative indebtedness, and the consequences of violating this responsibility. In case of doubt, give a citation of the author you are using. Failure to indicate the extent and nature of one's reliance on other sources is plagiarism. A plagiarized paper will result in a failing grade on the work in question, and perhaps, for the entire course.

Cheating on Examinations - Cheating on examinations involves giving or receiving unauthorized help before, during, or after an examination. Examples of unauthorized help include the use of notes, texts, or "crib sheets" during an examination (unless receiving instructor approval), or sharing information with another student either during or after an examination.

Falsification - It is a violation of academic honesty to misrepresent material or to fabricate information in an academic exercise or assignment (e.g. false or misleading citation of sources, the falsification of the results of experiments or of computer data).

Multiple Submissions - It is a violation of academic honesty to submit substantial portions of the same work for credit more than once without the explicit consent of the instructor to whom the material is being submitted the second time.