May 20, 2024  
2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2022-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

PS 180 Introduction to Political Philosophy

(also listed as HS 329 )

This course is a critical survey of core concepts and theoretical perspectives in contemporary political life and political philosophy. Beginning with an in-depth study of theories of oppression and injustice, we will turn to the core concepts of justice, liberty, equality, rights, and democracy, where we will examine both contemporary contestations and historical genealogies of these ideas. In addition to incorporating several theoretical perspectives when analyzing these core concepts, we will also interrogate the relationship of politics to ethics as well as the ways in which power operates in social institutions to systematically dis/advantage individuals according to their membership in social categories, such as those of sex, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, ability, and class. Our ultimate goal is to gain proficiency in these conceptual and theoretical tools and use them to analyze and critique our own lived experiences and social worlds.

Prerequisite: PL 180   strongly recommended but not required.