GOVT339 - Contemporary Political Theory

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Academic Year 2003/2004

Contemporary Political Theory
GOVT 339 SP

This course examines a number of important 20th-century theories of politics. Major issues include the role of reason in grounding the basic values and principles of our moral and political lives, the moral and conceptual foundations of liberal democracy, and critiques of liberalism from communitarian, feminist, critical theory, and postmodern perspectives. This course, together with GOVT337 and GOVT338, provides a survey of major Western political theories; at least two of these courses are recommended for students concentrating in political theory.

MAJOR READINGS

Nietzsche, THE GENEALOGY OF MORALS
Arato, ed., THE ESSENTIAL FRANKFURT SCHOOL READER
Freud, CIVILIZATION AND ITS DISCONTENT
Schmitt, THE CRISIS OF PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY
Foucault, DISCIPLINE AND PUNISH
Arendt, THE HUMAN CONDITION
Rawls, A THEORY OF JUSTICE
Habermas, BETWEEN FACTS AND NORMS
Young, JUSTICE AND THE POLITICS OF DIFFERENCE
Taylor, THE POLITICS OF RECOGNITION

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Two short papers (5-7 pages), final paper (10-12 pages)

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

The readings listed above are examples of the kinds of texts that will be used. Final selection of texts has not yet been made. Please check with instructor for more up-to-date information. Spaces during drop/add will first be filled from the electronic wait list.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT Grading Mode: Student Option

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Rostboll,Christian F.

Times: .M.W... 11:00AM-12:20PM; Location: BTFDA414

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 30)

SR. major: 8 Jr. major: 7

SR. non-major: 6 Jr. non-major: 5 SO: 4 FR: X

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Ethical Reasoning, Writing

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004