[ Wesleyan Home Page ] [ WesMaps Home Page ] [ WesMaps Archive ] [ Course Search ] [ Course Search by CID ]
Academic Year 2003/2004

History of Political Philosophy
PHIL 250 FA

This course is a critical historical introduction to some of the central questions in political philosophy. We will begin the course by examining various arguments for the legitimacy of the state. While most of the reading will be based on the classical texts in political philosophy, we will seek to determine how the historical arguments fare today. Central to all of the arguments we will study are the concepts of equality, freedom, and justice. We will see that how these concepts are interpreted varies considerably among political philosophers. Different interpretations of equality, freedom, and justice lead to different arguments about the appropriate role of state authority. Although the bulk of the course will be devoted to analyzing classical and contemporary philosophical positions, we will spend some time discussing how such positions inform current public policy debates.

MAJOR READINGS

J. Somerville & R. Santoni, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (SPP)
W. Kymlicka, CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (CPP)

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Attendance at every class, having read, at least once, the required reading. Participation in class discussions. One 5-7 page paper will be due around the middle of the semester. One 8-10 page paper will be due at the end of the semester.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA PHIL    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-19-2004

Contact wesmaps@wesleyan.edu to submit comments or suggestions. Please include a url, course title, faculty name or other page reference in your email

Copyright Wesleyan University, Middletown, Connecticut, 06459