CVSP 207A Final, Fall 2007

FALL 2007-2008 THURSDAY, 31 JANUARY 2008 CVSP 207C (Hani Hassan) FINAL WRITTEN EVALUATION DURATION: 3 HOURS BASIC CRITERIA OF EVALUATION: CLARITY OF PRESENTATION: this includes handwriting (since I am not an expert in deciphering coded messages); but more importantly, it is an issue of you clearly presenting your ideas, avoiding any vagueness and/or ambiguity. EXPLANATION AND JUSTIFICATION: never assume I know what you’re talking about; it is very essential that you back up any central statements you make in presenting the ideas of the authors in question, and more importantly in your critical evaluation of those ideas. RELEVANCE: it is essential that you present ideas and arguments relevant to the questions asked. Going into irrelevant discussion is a waste of your valuable time; it could also cause the reader (yours truly) to lose sight of the relevant discussions you present. CRITICAL THINKING: this is most important in terms of your critical evaluation discussions; it is vital that you present ‘evidence’ of critical thinking, and not simply agreeing or disagreeing with ideas and authors discussed (simply stating: “I don’t like him” or “I love his ideas” is neither evidence of being critical nor of thinking!) WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT SIMPLY SUMMARIZE! If at any point you are not clear about what the question is asking or of what is required of you, do not hesitate to ask me. But whatever you do, do not ask your fellow students (they will always mislead you by giving you the wrong answer; it’s human nature!) Finally, and putting it as plainly as I can: CHEATING IS ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL; OFFENDERS WILL BE SEVERELY PUNISHED. PART I (60%): ISLANDS OF THE BLESSED? A. “Strictly speaking it [Utopia] means a ‘nowhere land’, some happy island far away, where perfect social relations prevail, and human beings, living under an immaculate constitution and a faultless government, enjoy a simple and happy existence, free from the turmoil, the harassing cares, and endless worries of actual life.” (cited after Ruth Levitas, The Concept of Utopia, New York, London: Philip Allan, 1990, 12). (Choose either Bacon’s New Atlantis or More’s Utopia to discuss.) For the text/ vision you have chosen, clearly present the most central elements and ingredients that qualify it to be a Utopia along the lines defined by Moritz Kaufmann above. Clearly illustrate your presentation. B. (Discuss the author you did not discuss above.) Highlight what you believe to be two weak points in the vision of the author here discussed. In other words: what two elements do you find to be the weakest in the vision of an ideal state of existence presented by the author? Clearly and critically present and support your evaluation from within the context of a discussion on Utopian Thought. PART II (40%): NEUTOPIA? Imagine that today the world finds in your person the only hope to move forward towards a better (maybe best) state of existence. All around people are urging you to present a vision/ a blueprint that would deliver humankind out of its ‘dark ages’ and towards a more hopeful future. Drawing upon the readings and discussion of the various visions encountered over the semester (both hereafter and here and now) would you be willing to put together a blueprint for a Utopia? - If yes: clearly present your reasoning why you would; what elements would you borrow from the various texts we’ve covered to put together your blueprint (make reference to three texts/ authors at least), and what other elements would you add... - If no: clearly present your reasoning why you would not put forth a vision of Utopia. Refer to various elements from the various texts we’ve covered to support refusal (make reference to three texts/ authors at least), as well as any other considerations you might wish to make reference to… Wishing you all the best…