General information
Instructor
Here is more information about Prof. Lotz
Class Meetings
Days: MW
Time: 3 PM – 4:50 PM
Place: Snyder Hall C20
Office
Phone: 517.355.4490 [dept.])
Place: 503 South Kedzie Hall
Hours: MW, drop in, 10-11am, and online by appointment
Other Contact
E-mail: lotz@msu.edu
Home Phone: please ask
Webpage: http://christianlotz.info
Box
You will find my box in the front office of the philosophy department (SK 503)
Schedule
Introduction
Aug 31, Introduction: State & Society
Sep 2, Introduction: State & Society
Sep 7, Holiday
No Class
Section I: (Post)Liberalism and Leninist Right
Sep 9, The Strange Reversal of Left and Right: Capitalism
de Benoist, Confronting Globalization
Sunic, Enter the New Right & The Gramscianism of the Right
Bannon/Douthat, Steve Bannon on ‘Broligarchs’ vs. Populism (also available as podcast within Douthat’s “Interesting Times”
Voluntary:
Bannon, Vatican lecture; on Bannon; Thiel, The Education of a Libertarian; Comment on Bannon and Thiel; Brooks, My Unsettling Interview with Steve Bannon;
Background:
The World of the Radical Right
Sep 14, The French Right
de Benoist, The Ideology of Sameness
de Benoist, What is Liberalism?
Background:
Alain de Benoist (Wikipedia); check this interview on Youtube: (turn on subtitles, there is also an outline of topics beneath the video)
Sep 16, Russian Right
Dugin, Fourth Political Theory, chapter 14: Liberalism and its Metamorphosis
Dugin, Fourth Political Theory, chapter 16: Against the Postmodern World
Background:
Aleksandr Dugin (Wikipedia), check out this interview with Dugin by Tucker Carlson:
Sep 21, American Conservative Nationalism
Hazony, Conservatism. A Rediscovery; Chapter II: The Conservative Paradigm (excerpts)
Rufo, America’s Cultural Revolution. How the Radical Left Conquered Everything, Conclusion: The Counter-Revolution to Come
Background:
Brooks, The Terrifying Future of the American Right; Schneider, How Israel’s Illiberal Democracy Became a Model for the Right
Sep 23, American Conservative Post-Liberalism
Deneen, Regime Change. Towards a Postliberal Future, chapters 1-2
Background:
check Conversation with Patrick Deneen; check out this interview with Deneen
Sep 28, American Conservative Post-Liberalism
Deneen, Regime Change. Towards a Postliberal Future, chapters 3-5
Background:
Patrick Deneen (Wikipedia – Faculty Page), also check out his new book on the odyssey.
Section II: State
Sep 30, State as Monster
Hobbes, Leviathan, Excerpts, available here: https://history.hanover.edu/courses/excerpts/165hobbes.html
Schmitt, The Leviathan in the State Theory of Thomas Hobbes, chapter III&IV
Oct 5, Mechanized State
Schmitt, The Age of Neutralizations and Depoliticizations (in: The Concept of the Political, pp.80-96)
Background:
Carl Schmitt (Schmitt Chronicle – Wikipedia)
Oct 7, Fascist State
Mussolini, The Doctrine of Fascism
Background:
Interview with Federico Marcon on the term “Fascism”; Marcon’s book on the history of the term; Jason Stanley on contemporary fascism; Jason Stanley on fascism one and two
Oct 12, No State
Muehsam, On the Worldview of Anarchism
Background
Erich Mühsam Bio (Wikipedia)
Oct 14, Exam
In-class essay exam I
Section III: Representative Democracy
Oct 19, Critique of Liberal Democracy (Lenin and Luxemburg)
Lenin, State and Revolution, chapter 1: Class Society and the State, available here
Luxemburg, Reform or Revolution, chapter 4: Capitalism and the State, available here
Bernard E. Harcourt lecture on “Bannon, Lenin & the Dialectic of Smashing the State” (the text can be read here)
Oct 21, Critique of Liberal Democracy (Schmitt)
Schmitt, The Crisis of Parliamentary Democracy, introduction & chapter 1
Oct 26, Critique of Liberal Democracy (Schmitt)
Schmitt, The Crisis of Parliamentary Democracy, chapter 2
Section IV: Sovereign Politics
Oct 28, Politics as Existential Activity
Schmitt, The Concept of the Political, chapter 1-3
Background:
read the introductions to Schmitt’s text; Miller, Speech at memorial service for Charlie Kirk
Nov 2, Enemy and Friend
Schmitt, The Concept of the Political, chapter 4-6
Nov 4, Against Universalism
Schmitt, The Concept of the Political, chapter 7-8
Nov 9, Sovereignty
Schmitt, Political Theology, chapter 1&2
Nov 11, Ruling by Exception
tbd
Section V: Non-Sovereign Politics Beyond Left and Right
Nov 16, Politics as Rooted in Pluralism
Arendt, Introduction to Politics, pp.93-123
Background:
About Hannah Arendt (Arendt Center – Wikipedia)
Nov 18, No class
ProfLotz is at conference
Nov 23, No class
ProfLotz is at conference
Nov 25, No Class
Thanksgiving
No Class
Nov 30, Political Freedom
Arendt, Introduction to Politics, pp.123-153
Dec 2, War and Modern Isolation
Arendt, Introduction to Politics, pp.154-204
Dec 7, Exam
In-Class Exam II
Dec 9, No Class
ProfLotz is at conference
Course Description
In this course we will examine selected theoretical foundations of the distinctions between the political left and right. Be aware that my class is a challenging theory course. The hypothesis is that the conflicts and tensions that we are currently facing, such as environmental crisis, fascism, capitalist globalization, the role of the state, or politics, are rooted in philosophical issues and differing interpretation of philosophical concepts. Equality or freedom? State or civil society? Liberal democracy or people’s democracy? There is not anything that divides us in terms of social or political issues that is not philosophical in nature. Accordingly, we should learn how to think critically, conceptually, and coherently, about issues that matter for all of us. As we are unable to discuss all of these issues in this lecture course and since I do not want to discuss contemporary voices that, in my mind, might be entertaining, but are intellectually of no interest (think of Yarvin, Thiel, Musk, etc.), we will focus in this class on substantial voices, such as Schmitt, Lenin, and Arendt – and relate theory to our contemporary situation (there are background sources on the syllabus for that discussion). Focus of this class will be the political anti-liberalism on the conservative and right side.
Four hypothesis will guide my lectures: [1] the current dissatisfaction with the political situation is a result of the issues that economic and cultural globalization has caused; [2] new voices on the conservative and right side of the political spectrum have, at least in parts, appropriated positions and strategies of the former left; [3] the shared enemy of left and right is liberalism (section II&III); [4] what really differentiates left and right is their idea of what politics is and how it is related to state and society.
Twenty years after my own graduation, I have come gradually to understand that the liberal-arts cliché about “teaching you how to think” is actually shorthand for a much deeper, more serious idea: “Learning how to think” really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience. Because if you cannot exercise this kind of choice in adult life, you will be totally hosed. Think of the old cliché about “the mind being an excellent servant but a terrible master.” This, like many clichés, so lame and unexciting on the surface, actually expresses a great and terrible truth. It is not the least bit coincidental that adults who commit suicide with firearms almost always shoot themselves in the head. And the truth is that most of these suicides are actually dead long before they pull the trigger. And I submit that this is what the real, no-bull- value of your liberal-arts education is supposed to be about: How to keep from going through your comfortable, prosperous, respectable adult life dead, unconscious, a slave to your head and to your natural default-setting of being uniquely, completely, imperially alone, day in and day out. (David Foster Wallace, This is Water)
Note Upfront
In general, electronic devices in this class are useless. If we refer to the readings in class, then only the usage of flat electronic devices is permitted. Laptops are not permitted. It has been proven that electronic devices in lecture halls lead to psychosocial distraction, less learning, and, ultimately, intellectual destruction. Please print out the readings and work on paper or buy at least the main texts written by Deneen, Schmitt, Arendt. Instead of Microsoft and Gemini, bring a pen and your brain.
Main Texts
Arendt, The Promise of Politics
Deneen, Regime Change. Towards a Postliberal Future
Schmitt, The Concept of the Political. Expanded Edition
Schmitt, Political Theology
AI
I teach my classes as classical humanities classes. The usage of AI is neither necessary, nor needed – nor desired. If you believe that you can replace the study of the texts that we are reading in class with AI, then you will not be able to pass the in-class exams. I do not work with class notes. There won’t be an exam review guide. You will be asked in the in-class exams to demonstrate that you have engaged with and thought about the material. Read this: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/04/opinion/artificial-intelligence-ai-writing.html.
Did you know that MSU gives every student free access to the New York Times, The Financial Times, and Wall Street Journal? Check here: https://libguides.lib.msu.edu/nyt
IAH Course Goals
The mission of Integrative Studies in the Arts and Humanities is to help students become more familiar with ways of knowing in the arts and humanities and to be more knowledgeable and capable in a range of intellectual and expressive abilities. IAH courses encourage students to engage critically with their own society, history, and culture(s); they also encourage students to learn more about the history and culture of other societies. They focus on key ideas and issues in human experience; encourage appreciation of the roles of knowledge and values in shaping and understanding human behavior; emphasize the responsibilities and opportunities of democratic citizenship; highlight the value of the creative arts of literature, theater, music, and arts; and alert us to important issues that occur among peoples in an increasingly interconnected, interdependent world. The goals of IAH courses are to assist students to
- Cultivate habits of inquiry and develop investigative strategies from arts and humanities perspectives;
- Explore social, cultural, and artistic expressions and contexts;
- Act as culturally aware and ethically responsible citizens in local and global communities.
- Critically assess, produce, and communicate knowledge in a variety of media for a range of audiences; and
- Recognize and understand the value of diversity and the significance of interconnectedness in the classroom and beyond.
IAH Course Goals Addressed in this Course
- Develop a range of intellectual abilities, including critical thinking, logical argument, appropriate uses of evidence and interpretation of varied kinds of information. (quantitative, qualitative, text, image)
- Become more knowledgeable about other times, places, and cultures as well as key ideas and issues in human experience.
- Appreciate the role of knowledge, and of values and ethics in understanding human behavior and solving social problems.
Specific Course Goals
This lecture class should students introduce to
- become familiar with current issues brought up by conservative intellectuals
- become familiar with selected positions in the history of modern social and political thought
- how to think about fundamental aspects of our world
- think more clearly about political concepts
- think more clearly about how to critically engage with both left and right positions
Note
Real learning is not properly measured by multiple-choice tests; especially since in the humanities there is no specific content of a sort that may be covered well in standardized examinations, which every student in the humanities should be expected to master. Instead, you will – hopefully – come to recognize that this class is about a general intellectual reflection on our contemporary world that requires concepts and critical reflections. The class deals with your dignity as human beings and with your intellect and reason, which is best expressed in a form of learning that is based on understanding and insight, and not mere learning by heart or letting ChatGPT do stupid work. It is hoped that the class will stimulate the view that intellectual activity (and therefore human reality) has to do with the passion of thinking, and the passion of understanding our world. Intense confrontation with texts is the center of this class. “Information” as something to be consumed is important but secondary in university education.
Required Texts (Bookstore or Online)
- All readings are available via D2L. See note above
Course Organization
The course will be organized such that, ideally, each class period will include [i] “interactive” lecture, [ii] discussion time or [iii] response time. Students will be asked to intensively prepare a certain text or part of a text for the next class period.
Course Requirements
- Daily reading and studying
- Unannounced graded assignments in class, including reading quizzes and group assignments
- Class response sheets (to be submitted on the day of class to which you respond)
- In-class exams
Note
The class and my lectures are solely based on the texts selected for class and require a thorough study and preparation of the material. I will primarily lecture on the readings, which will help you to more fully understand the texts. Therefore it is not sufficient for students to come to class without having prepared the texts. And indeed, in the exams you have to demonstrate whether you have appropriately prepared the readings selected for each lecture.
Note
Every academic misconduct, such as plagiarism or cheating during the exams, will – without exception – lead to a failing grade in class. Check the Ombudsman’s page (see also note below on plagiarism): https://www.msu.edu/~ombud/
Note on Attendance
I hope and strongly encourage that students attend all lectures. However, I will not require attendance, as I think that college students should manage their own class attendance decisions. I will not call roll. Hence, it is up to you to come to class or not. However, if you do not come to class on a regular basis and participate in class, it is very difficult for you to achieve a good grade in this class, especially since you won’t be able to make up assignments in class. If you choose to attend class, please come on time, turn off cell phones and other electronic devices that interfere with your (and others’) concentration, have the reading prepared and be ready to participate. If you are not prepared, do not bother showing up. It is a sign of disrespect to your peers and the instructor to attend class unprepared. If you miss class, it is your responsibility to obtain class notes from a fellow student and to catch up on reading.
General Note
I expect that you come to class having prepared the texts carefully and thoroughly. The reading for the next session, if not clear from the course schedule (below), will be announced at the end of the previous class. “Preparing for class” implies underlining and making excerpts from the text assigned; looking up unfamiliar vocabulary and writing them into a note book (I encourage you to keep a vocabulary booklet for all of your classes). Just reading the text won’t be sufficient. You have to study the material. Some vocabulary might not be sufficiently explained in a regular dictionary (this goes especially for philosophical terms), so it is necessary to consult additional sources, and the MSU Library Website is a great resource for nearly all questions in this regard).
Blue Book Exams
There will be two exams. You will respond to a short text with an essay in class. If you come to class and are engaged with the material, these exams will be a breeze. If you do not attend class or do not study the material, there is almost no chance that you will receive a good grade for them.
Unannounced Assignments
There will be announced and unannounced reading quizzes, homework-assignments, and group assignments. Students who do not attend class (and have no written documentation) will lose all points given for unannounced assignments. Reading quizzes, homework assignments, and group assignments cannot be made up without reasonable excuses (see above).
Class Response Sheets
Every student is asked to submit 6 class response sheets during the semester. You decide when you’d like to turn in a response sheet. Please download the form here. Response sheets must be submitted to D2L by the end of the day of the selected class. Late submissions will not be accepted and be removed.
Download response sheet (I will only accept answers that are given on this form)
Response Time
Selected response sheets will be addressed at the beginning of each class. This procedure will help you and me to clarify problems, reflect on topics, and to find answers to questions that came up during last class.
Make-Up Assignments
Students who need to miss the exam for excusable reasons (medical+MSU related business) must inform me ahead of time, and will be permitted to make up the exam or film assignment. I will only accept written documentation. Note: class response sheet cannot be made up, as you can decide on which days you want to turn one in!
Cell Phone Policy
Please completely remove your cell phones from tables when class begins. Please do not text under the table. Failure to follow this policy will lead to a lower grade (at the digression of the instructor).
Course Evaluation
Assignments
| 2 in-class exams | 40 points |
| Misc. assignments, such as unannounced reading and group assignments | 30 points |
| 6 class response sheets | 30 points |
| ——– | |
| 100 points | |
Grading
| 4.0 (=A) | 100 – 93 |
| 3.5 | 92 – 87 |
| 3 (=B) | 86 – 82 |
| 2.5 | 81 – 77 |
| 2 (=C) | 76 – 72 |
| 1.5 | 71 – 65 |
| 1.0 (=D) | 64 – 60 |
| 0.0 | < 60 |
GENERIC SYLLABUS (might not be applicable to each class)
Laptop/Cell Phone/Tablet Policy
You are not permitted to use laptops or cell phones in class, unless needed for accommodations. Flat devices, such as tablets, are permitted if you have purchased the literature required for class electronically. Please do not text under the table. Cell phones should be removed from tables. Failure to follow this policy will lead to unannounced assignments in class or to a lower grade (at the digression of the instructor).
Note on Cell Phones
Your cognitive capacity is significantly reduced when your smartphone is within reach — even if it’s off. That’s the takeaway finding from a new study from the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. Please also read this: Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation?
Class Attendance
As mentioned above, I do not employ in my classes a class attendance policy. Having said this, you should be aware that class attendance is very important. When engaging in a philosophical and humanistic dialogue it is necessary to be an active and present participant in the ongoing discussion. If you miss class please do not email me asking if you missed anything important. Every class is important. You should get a study buddy for the class; a student in class who will inform you of what you missed. If you miss a class you can come to my office hours or make an appointment to discuss the material, providing you have read the material and you simply want to see if your understanding of the material is on target. Time in office hours will not be used to repeat the class lectures.
Grading Criteria + Paper Writing Tips
Check out this page for grading criteria, example of assignments, etc.
Online Research Sources
Unfortunately, some people think that the internet as such is a reliable source of information. If you decide to use online sources for additional information or your paper then do not just use one of the common internet search engines, such as Google; rather, use reliable academic sources, such as Britannica Online, or the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. The Internet Ecyclopedia of Philosophy isn’t very good, but still acceptable. Check out MSU’s library resources! And, as with other sources, you must cite any online sources to which you refer in your essay.
Writing Center Information
MSU’s writing center offers excellent help on all matters regarding writing and learning. Check the website at http://writing.msu.edu for an overview and hours. For more information, please call 517.432.3610 or send an e-mail to writing@msu.edu.
Grief Absence Policy
I follow MSU’s general grief absence policy, which can be found here.
Integrity of Scholarship and Grades (Plagiarism)
The following statement of University policy addresses principles and procedures to be used in instances of academic dishonesty, violations of professional standards, and falsification of academic or admission records, herein after referred to as academic misconduct. [See General Student Regulation 1.00, Protection of Scholarship and Grades.]
Academic Honesty
Article 2.3.3 of the Academic Freedom Report states that “The student shares with the faculty the responsibility for maintaining the integrity of scholarship, grades, and professional standards.” In addition, the (insert name of unit offering course) adheres to the policies on academic honesty as specified in General Student Regulations 1.0, Protection of Scholarship and Grades; the all-University Policy on Integrity of Scholarship and Grades; and Ordinance 17.00, Examinations. (See Spartan Life: Student Handbook and Resource Guide and/or the MSU Web site: www.msu.edu) Therefore, unless authorized by your instructor, you are expected to complete all course assignments, including homework, lab work, quizzes, tests and exams, without assistance from any source. You are expected to develop original work for this course; therefore, you may not submit course work completed for another course to satisfy the requirements for this course. Students who violate MSU rules may receive a penalty grade, including but not limited to a failing grade on the assignment or in the course. Contact your instructor if you are unsure about the appropriateness of your course work. (See also https://www.msu.edu/~ombud/)
Plagiarism, from the Ombudsman’s page
Plagiarism (from the Latin plagiarius, an abductor, and plagiare, to steal) is defined by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy on Misconduct in Research (take that!) as “ . . . the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results or words without giving appropriate credit.”
Accidental or Unintentional
One may not even know that they are plagiarizing. It is the student’s responsibility to make certain that they understand the difference between quoting and paraphrasing, as well as the proper way to cite material.
Blatant
Here, students are well aware that they are plagiarizing. Purposefully using someone else’s ideas or work without proper acknowledgment is plagiarism. This includes turning in borrowed or bought research papers as one’s own.
Self
Turning in the same term paper (or substantially the same paper) for two courses without getting permission from one’s instructor is plagiarism.
The Spartan Code of Honor
Student leaders have recognized the challenging task of discouraging plagiarism from the
academic community. The Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU) is proud to be launching the Spartan Code of Honor academic pledge, focused on valuing academic integrity and honest work ethics at Michigan State University. The pledge reads as follows:
“As a Spartan, I will strive to uphold values of the highest ethical standard. I will practice honesty in my work, foster honesty in my peers, and take pride in knowing that honor is worth more than grades. I will carry these values beyond my time as a student at Michigan State University, continuing the endeavor to build personal integrity in all that I do.”
The Spartan Code of Honor academic pledge embodies the principles of integrity that every Spartan is required to uphold in their time as a student, and beyond. The academic pledge was crafted with inspiration of existing individual college honor codes, establishing an overarching statement for the entire university. It was formally adopted by ASMSU on March 3, 2016, endorsed by Academic Governance on March 22, 2016, and recognized by the Provost, President, and Board of Trustees on April 15, 2016.
TurnItIn Policy
Consistent with MSU’s efforts to enhance student learning, foster honesty, and maintain integrity in our academic processes, instructors may use a tool in D2L called Turnitin OriginalityCheck to compare a student’s work with multiple sources. The tool compares each student’s work with an extensive database of prior publications and papers, providing links to possible matches and a “similarity score.” The tool does not determine whether plagiarism has occurred or not. Instead, the instructor must make a complete assessment and judge the originality of the student’s work. All submissions to this course may be checked using this tool. Students should submit assignments to be screened by OriginalityCheck without identifying information included in the assignment (e.g., the student’s name, PID, or NetID); the system will automatically show identifying information to the course faculty when viewing the submissions, but this information will not be retained by Turnitin.
SIRS Evaluations
Michigan State University takes seriously the opinion of students in the evaluation of the effectiveness of instruction and has implemented the Student Instructional Rating System (SIRS) to gather student feedback (https://sirsonline.msu.edu). This course utilizes the online SIRS system, and you will receive an e-mail during the last two weeks of class asking you to fill out the SIRS web form at your convenience. In addition, participation in the online SIRS system involves grade sequestration, which means that the final grade for this course will not be accessible on STUINFO during the week following the submission of grades for this course unless the SIRS online form has been completed. Alternatively, you have the option on the SIRS website to decline to participate in the evaluation of the course. We hope, however, that you will be willing to give us your frank and constructive feedback so that we may instruct students even better in the future. If you access the online SIRS website and complete the online SIRS form or decline to participate, you will receive the final grade in this course as usual once final grades are submitted.
Social Media and Sharing of Course Materials
As members of a learning community, students are expected to respect the intellectual property of course instructors. All course materials presented to students are the copyrighted property of the course instructor and are subject to the following conditions of use:
- Students may record lectures or any other classroom activities and use the recordings only for their own course-related purposes.
- Students may share the recordings with other students enrolled in the class. Sharing is limited to using the recordings only for their own course-related purposes.
- Students may post the recordings or other course materials online or distribute them to anyone not enrolled in the class with the advance written permission of the course instructor and, if applicable, any students whose voice or image is included in the recordings.
- Any student violating the conditions described above may face academic disciplinary sanctions.
Student Support Program (SSP)
Michigan State University is offering all MSU students access to counseling support 24/7/365 through My SSP: Student Support Program. My SSP is free to all MSU students. My SSP is confidential, and can help with:
- Adapting to new challenges
- Being successful at school
- Relationships with friends and family
- Practical issues with studying
- Stress, sadness, loneliness, and more
The My SSP professional counselors are available to help anytime, anywhere with:
- Immediate support by phone and chat
- Ongoing support by appointment via phone and video
- In addition, culturally relevant support is available in the language of the caller’s choice.
There are multiple options for connecting with a My SSP counselor:
- Download the free My SSP app on Google Play or iTunes
- Chat online at http://us.myissp.com
- Call 1-866-743-7732
- From outside North America, call 001.416.380.657
On & Off Campus 24 Hour Emergency Services:
National Suicide Prevention (Lifeline)
Collect Calls Accepted 24 Hours
1-800- 273-TALK (8255)
MSU Police Department
Emergency: 911
Business Line: (517) 355-2221
MSU Counseling Center Sexual Assault Program
(517) 372-6666
Community Mental Health
(800) 372-8460
(517) 346-8460
MSU Safe Place (Domestic Violence Shelter)
Crisis Line: (517) 355-1100
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with disabilities should contact the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities to establish reasonable accommodations. For an appointment with a counselor, call 353-9642 (voice) or 355-1293 (TTY)
Drops and Adds
The last day to add this course is the end of the first week of classes. The last day to drop this course with a 100 percent refund and no grade reported is (see Academic Calendar). The last day to drop this course with no refund and no grade reported is (see Academic Calendar). You should immediately make a copy of your amended schedule to verify you have added or dropped this course.
Note on Attendance
Students who fail to attend the first four class sessions or class by the fift