PHIL-161 Contemporary Political Thought

Faculty:

Widerquist, Karl

This course largely carries on from where Political and Social Thought left off, taking a more in-depth look at modern political thought. It provides an overview of the most influential contemporary schools of political thought. Each week students read texts. I will lecture on the topic, and then we will have a general class discussion on the same topic—sometimes on the same day, sometimes on succeeding days. The course will cover the following topics: overview of contemporary political thought, liberalism, conservatism, Marxism, communitarianism, feminism, environmentalism, post-structuralism and post-modernism, multi-culturalism, political thought beyond the Western tradition, and democratic theory.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

PHIL-161-10 Intro to Political Philosophy

Maring, Luke

In this class, we will take an issues-oriented approach to political philosophy. Rather than beginning with a philosophical theory and working to draw out its practical implications, we will use a political issue (e.g., abortion, capital punishment, healthcare, …) to motivate philosophical study. Good philosophy can organize, clarify, and challenge our thinking about controversial questions. In this class, we will use philosophy for these purposes.

In addition to being issues-oriented, this class will be discussion-oriented. Students must, therefore, come to class prepared to discuss the day’s material, and will be graded according to their contributions to class conversation. A series of short papers will also factor into their grades.

This course will be taught during the First Session of Summer 2010.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: None

Other academic years
There is information about this course number in other academic years:

• 2004-2005 Fall and Spring
• 2005-2006 Fall and Spring
• 2010-2011 Fall and Spring
• 2011-2012 Fall and Spring
• 2012-2013 Fall and Spring

More information
Look for this course in the schedule of classes.

The academic department web site for this program may provide other details about this course.