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Academic Year 2005/2006

History of Political Philosophy: From Individual Rights to Group Rights
PHIL 250 FA

This course is a critical historical introduction to some of the central questions in political philosophy concerning the different concepts of natural, human and legal rights as these apply, on the one hand, to individuals, and on the other hand, to groups or corporate bodies. 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

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

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

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Lang,Berel    

Times: ..T.R.. 10:30AM-11:50AM;     Location: FISK101;

Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 20)

SR. major: 6   Jr. major: 6

SR. non-major: 2   Jr. non-major: 2   SO: 4   FR: X

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal:    Ethical Reasoning

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006

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