PLSC 100: Political Theory

PLSC 100: Political Theory
Ms. Staudinger
MWF 10:25am / LSC

This introductory course explores the historical development of political theory through a close look at three debates. First, we look at the world of ancient political though through examining Greek tragedy and philosophy, exploring the question of political obligation; what do we owe to our state or society? Next, we explore the problem of political origin stories in modern thought, seeing how a variety of theorists justify and explain the existence of government. Finally, we look at contemporary theorists to explore the nature of human rights, and whether this universal concept can be justified, philosophically or politically, in today's divided, yet globalized world. This course is an option in the "Philosophical Knowledge" section of the core curriculum. 

PLSC 100: Political Theory
Professor Danford
MWF 11:30am / LSC

According to Aristotle, the thinker generally regarded as the founder of the scientific study of politics, political science is the architectonic science, the most comprehensive attempt to understand and articulate the human good. Its central question is the question how should human beings live. Inquiry into the human good requires a comprehensive understanding of human nature--what kind of creatures are we?--along with an account of the circumstances of political life. This course will serve as a theoretical and comparative introduction to political science thus understood. We will consider the chief answers which have been given to these questions over the 2,400 years during which serious political science has been practiced. This course is an option in the "Philosophical Knowledge" section of the core curriculum. 

PLSC 100: Political Theory
Ms. Staudinger
MWF 12:35pm / LSC

This introductory course explores the historical development of political theory through a close look at three debates. First, we look at the world of ancient political though through examining Greek tragedy and philosophy, exploring the question of political obligation; what do we owe to our state or society? Next, we explore the problem of political origin stories in modern thought, seeing how a variety of theorists justify and explain the existence of government. Finally, we look at contemporary theorists to explore the nature of human rights, and whether this universal concept can be justified, philosophically or politically, in today's divided, yet globalized world. This course is an option in the "Philosophical Knowledge" section of the core curriculum. 

PLSC 100: Political Theory
Professor Mayer
TTh 1:00pm / LSC

The clash between the Left and the Right is about equality. People on the left side of the political spectrum think society ought to be more equal than it is, but their opponents on the right think egalitarianism has been carried too far. In this introductory course we examine the arguments for and against equality offered by six of the greatest political thinkers in the Western tradition: Plato, Hobbes, Rousseau, Marx, Mill, and Spengler. These men disagree not only about whether government should promote equality but also about how we ought to go about answering this important question. Our task during the semester will be to uncover and to assess the logic of each thinker’s argument. This course is an option in the "Philosophical Knowledge" section of the core curriculum.