University of the Philippines

College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

Department of Political Science
Diliman, Quezon City
Political Science 196: Philippine Political Thought
Second Semester 2014-2015
Jan Robert R Go
Assistant Professor

Section WFV PH 434

WF 1000-1130 HRS
Course Overview

Political Science 196 (Philippine Political Thought) introduces students to the political and
constitutional ideas of selected Filipino thinkers, which include heroes, academics, politicians, and
literary figures. The course surveys these ideas across time periods from the Spanish colonisation to
contemporary Philippines. Thus, some texts are in Filipino and in rare occasions Spanish.
This course is an elective under Area V (Political Theory and Methodology) Only students in their
final year or senior standing are allowed to take this course. It is also expected, but not required, that
students have taken and finished Political Science 11 and 14, as well as Social Science 2. These courses
will allow the students to have basic knowledge of ideas, concepts and theories, which may be used in
class. If the former is absent, students can still enlist by asking the consent of the instructor. The course
is worth 3.00 units.
Course Objectives
The course has three objectives. At the end of the semester, students are expected to be able to:
1) Identify, compare, and contrast the political and constitutional ideas of selected Filipino thinkers;
2) Familiarise oneself with the questions aecting and/or dealt with by the discipline of political
science in the Philippines; and
3) Explain how these ideas and questions are relevant to various institutions, movements, and
processes found in contemporary Philippine society.
Course Approaches
This course uses three dierent approaches in studying political thought. These are as follows:
1) The first approach concerns the actual text, locus classicus, where the ideas of thinkers have
originated. In reading the actual texts, students will be able to have direct appreciation of the ideas
presented in the selection, and hopefully understand the message sent by the thinkers.
2) The second approach concerns the interpretations of the actual texts by various scholars. While it
is not necessary that students agree with the presentation and interpretation of scholars, it is
important for students to read how scholars of political thought made sense of the ideas presented
by the thinkers. This exercise also exposes the students to the tradition of political thought.
3) The third and last approach concerns the connection of the ideas to the contemporary setting.
With the help of students, the task is to explain the relevance (or non-relevance) of the ideas
forwarded by the thinkers. This also encourages students to be more open and critical in analysing
and appreciating the ideas.
Course Evaluation and Requirements
Students will be graded based on their performance in class, active participation, and submission of
specific requirements. Note that grades are based on the quality of work submitted by the student and

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do not seek to measure intellectual capacity. The following are the requirements for this course, with
explanation and corresponding weights.
1) Two (2) Long Examinations OR Take-Home Essay (40%)
Depending on the agreement of the class, students are required to take two long examinations OR
submit two take-home essays. Each component constitutes 20% of the final grade, or 40% for both
components. The long examinations are in essay form, seeking to measure the breadth and depth
of the students knowledge and understanding of the political ideas of the selected thinkers. If the
take-home essay option will be selected, students will be required to answer one to two questions
within 24 hours from the time the questions were released. Absolutely no make-up exams will be
given to those who miss any of the exams or submission unless the student has a valid excuse, i.e.
illness, and an ocial excuse slip. Other mechanics will be explained in class.
2) Essay (20%)
Students are required to submit an essay of not less than 2500 but not more than 3000 words. The
essay should answer the specific question to be provided by the instructor. The deadline of
submission of the essay is one-week before the last day of class, subject to class consensus. Other
details of this requirement will be explained in class.
3) Topic Presentation (15%)
Topic presentations will work in pairs (not more than 15). Each pair can choose one thinker to
present in class. Presentations should include the following: (1) short biography of the thinker, (2)
three to five important points, ideas, concepts, or theories from the thinkers selection, and (3)
analysis of the chosen ideas. This should be made within the 45-minute time limit to allow more
time for discussion. The assigned presenters may, but not required, distribute a summary of the
presentation and/or provide points for discussion to the class. Students need not rely on electronic
equipment in doing their presentation. Use your creativity and resourcefulness. Selection of topic
and other details of this requirement will be explained in class.
4) Creative Project (15%)
Since POLSC 196 is seldom oered by the Department, very few are aware of the course and its
content. In order to spread awareness, the class may opt to form two to three groups, or the entire
class as one group, to satisfy this requirement. The projects can be any of, but not limited to, the
following: exhibit, posters, forum, and blogs. Other details of this requirement will be explained in
class.
5) Individual Participation in Class Discussion (10%)
Each student is expected to actively participate in class discussions. In order to ensure smooth and
interesting discussion, students should read the assigned materials even if they are not the assigned
presenters. Questions from the class may be gathered in order to initiate discussions. Other group
activities such as informal debates and out-of-classroom interactions and exposures can be
employed to enrich the learning experience. Mere recitation does not guarantee points. As senior
students, you are expected to answer with substance and sense.
Course Texts
There is no single reference material or textbook to be used in this course. Students must go to the
libraries (Social Science Section, Asian Center, Arts and Letters, Law, and NCPAG, among others) to
acquire copies of the assigned readings. Some original texts are available for download online, e.g.
Rizal, Bonifacio, Jacinto, and some of Mabinis works. While some materials may be provided by the
instructor, it is not his responsibility to procure reading materials for the students.

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Topic Sequence, Reading List, and Schedule

1. Introduction (21.I.2015)
An Introduction to the Course
2. The Nature of Political Thought (23.I.2015)
Vincent, Andrew. 2004. The Nature of Political Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapter
1: An Eclectic Subject. [To be provided by the instructor]
3. History of Political Science in the Philippines (28.I.2015)
Agpalo, Remigio. 1998. Political Science in the Philippines 1880-1998: A History of the Discipline
for the Centenary of the First Philippine Republic. Philippine Social Sciences Review 55 (1
4): 172.
4. Early Filipino Thinkers (4)
Jose P. Rizal (30.I-04.II.2015)
Rizal, Jose P. Filipinas Dentro Cien Aos (Philippines A Century Hence) [In Spanish, with English
translation]
Schumacher, John. 1991. The Making of a Nation: Essays on Nineteenth-Century Filipino
Nationalism. Chapter 2: Rizal in the Context of Nineteenth-Century Philippines.
Andres Bonifacio (06/11.II.2015)
Bonfacio, Andres. Ang Dapat Mabatid ng mga Tagalog. [In Filipino]
Bonfacio, Andres. Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa. [In Filipino]
Emilio Jacinto (13/18.II.2015)
Agpalo, Remigio. The Political Philosophy of Emilio Jacinto, in Adventures in Political Science,
6375.
Jacinto, Emilio. Liwanag at Dilim. [In Filipino]
Apolinario Mabini (20/27.II.2015)
Mabini, Apolinario. La Revolucin Filipina (The Philippine Revolution) [In Spanish, with English
translation]
Majul, Cesar Adib. The Political and Constitutional Ideas of the Philippine Revolution. Chapter 2:
36-42 (Mabinis Concept of Man and Society); Chapter 3: 43-46, 55-58; Chapter 4; Chapter 8.
5. Filipino Political Scientists (5)
Maximo M. Kalaw (04/06.III.2015)
Agpalo, Remigio. 1992. The Political Science of Dr. Maximo M. Kalaw. In Morales, Natalia (ed.)
Politics, Science and Democracy. Quezon City: UP Department of Political Science.
Kalaw, Maximo. 1948. Philippine Government: Its Development, Organization, and Activities.
Published by the author, Manila. Chapters I, XIII, XXIII, XXIV, and XXV.
Ricardo Pascual (11/13.III.2015)
Pascual, Ricardo. 1952. Partyless Democracy: A Blueprint for Political Reconstruction of Post-War
Philippines. Quezon City: University of the Philippines Press, Quezon City. Chapters III, VII,
VIII, XVI, XVII, and XX.
Onofre D. Corpuz (18/20.III.2015)
Corpuz, Onofre D. 1957. The Bureaucracy in the Philippines. Manila: UP Institute of Public
Administration. Chapters I, III, VII, IX, and XI.

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Pedro L. Baldoria (25/27.III.2015)

Baldoria, Pedro. 1957. Geopolitics and the Philippines; A Preface to Philippine Strategy in
International Politics. Quezon City: University of the Philippines. Preface (1-6); Changing
Map of Asia (7-12); Geopolitics and Why? (13-14); Political Geography of the
Philippines (15-25); and Foundations of Philippine Foreign Relations (111-113).
Remigio E. Agpalo (01/08.IV.2015)
Agpalo, Remigio. The Organic-Hierarchical Paradigm and Politics in the Philippines, in
Adventures in Political Science, 163194.
First Long Examination OR Take-Home Essay
6. Politicians, Ideologues, and a National Artist (6)
Jose P. Laurel (10/15.IV.2015)
Laurel, Jose P. 1949. Moral and Political Orientation. Manila: Jose P. Laurel.
Claro M. Recto (17/22.IV.2015)
Arcellana, Emerenciana Y. The Social and Political Thought of Claro M. Recto. Quezon City:
National Research Council of the Philippines, 1981.
Recto, Claro M. Recto Reader: Excerpts from the Speeches of Claro M. Recto. Edited by Renato
Constantino. Manila: Recto Memorial Foundation, 1965. Part One: Nationalism (3-29), Part
Four: Democracy and Civil Liberties (115-129), Part Six: Philippine Politics (142-161).
Ferdinand E. Marcos (24/29.IV.2015)
Marcos, Ferdinand. 1974. The Democratic Revolution in the Philippines. Published by the Author.
Chapters 3, 4, 6, 10, and 11.
Pura Villanueva-Kalaw (06.V.2015)
Katigbak, Maria Kalaw. 1983. Legacy: Pura Villanueva Kalaw, Her Times, Life, and Works,
1886-1954. Makati: Filipinas Foundation. La mission social de la mujer Filipina (69-70); Un
Episodio (A Teresa Perez del Rio) (72-74); Rizal y la mujer filipina (76-77); The Lecture of
Miss Villanueva (79-81). [In Spanish]
Jose Ma. Sison (08/13.V.2015)
Guerrero, Amado (pseudonym of Sison). 1970. Philippine Society and Revolution. Chapter 2 and 3.
Amado V. Hernandez (15/20.V.2015)
Hernandez, Amado V. Kung Tuyo Na ang Luha Mo Aking Bayan (Poem) [In Filipino] AND
Hernandez, Amado V. Panata sa Kalayaan (Poem) [In Filipino]; OR
Hernandez, Amado V. Mga Ibong Mandaragit (Novel) [In Filipino]
Second Long Examination OR Take-Home Essay (TBA)
Other Information on the Course and its Handling
Attendance
Attendance will be checked regularly. Students who incurred more than six unexcused absences
(following University rules) and those who wish to discontinue the course for various reasons are
required to drop the course formally (or to file for LOA, as the case may be). Failure to drop formally
will result in a grade of 5.00. Those who dropped or filed for LOA must also make sure that they

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inform the instructor of the intent/action. Students who, at the end of the course, have a perfect
attendance record will receive additional five points (on a scale of 0 to 100) OR roughly an additional .
25 point in the final grade. Perfect attendance means being present in all class sessions. Those with
excused absences, even those connected with some university activities (college or department
activities, Military Science, etc.), will not be given the bonus five points.
Knowledge of Current Events
Students are also strongly advised to keep abreast with current events. These can be gathered from
television (dierent cable news, public aairs and documentary programs), radio, newspapers,
magazines, and the internet. Current events may be referred to when we discuss and apply theories
and ideas in class.
Honesty and Truthfulness
Students caught cheating in exams, plagiarising papers and other documents, and falsifying/tampering
with documents will automatically be given a grade of 5.00. The instructor, through the Department of
Political Science, will also bring the case to the Student Disciplinary Tribunal of the University for
appropriate sanctions.
Mobile Phones and Gadgets
All cellular phones must be turned o during the class. Use of gadgets and other electronic equipment
is strictly prohibited. Anyone caught texting or even holding his or her phone/gadget during the class
would be asked to leave the classroom and considered absent. Recording of class proceedings is also
prohibited.
Grading Scheme
1.00
1.25
1.50

96 - 100
91 - 95
86 - 90

1.75
2.00
2.25

81 - 85
76 - 80
72 - 75

2.50
2.75
3.00

68 - 71
64 - 68
60 - 63

4.00
5.00
5.00

50 - 59
00 - 49
00 - 49

The instructor will use an online platform, Engrade.com, to individually provide students their realtime class standing. An email will be sent to each member of the class for this purpose.
Consultation
Please notify the instructor ahead of time, preferably before the day you wish to have the consultation
to make sure that the instructor is available and that no other students have filled in the time slot
during regular consultation hours. You may also consult with the instructor via email if there is no
need to conduct it personally. A consultation day will be set before the end of the semester.
Jan Robert R Go
Assistant Professor
Room 325, Bulwagang Silangang Palma
Department of Political Science
TTh 1000-1200; WF 1430-1700
jrgo1@up.edu.ph

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