PLSC 100: Political Theory
PLSC 100: Political Theory
Professor Ricci
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 Yoksas
MWF 12:35pm / LSC
How can a citizen know what a just law looks like? Why must citizens give deference to political authority? What is the difference between an effective leader and an ineffective leader? The history of mankind is the history of political relationships. The most fundamental of these relationships is the one between the government and the governed. Indeed, all human beings who live in a community with others will at some point be expected to either craft the laws or obey the laws crafted by others. The possession of political authority over the community comes with certain obligations to use the authority for the sake of the common good. Likewise, citizenship carries with it the obligation to obey the laws for the sake of civil order. This course is designed to examine this relationship between leaders and citizens. Students will read a variety of perspectives from the history of political thought, from ancient Greece to contemporary America. This course is an option in the "Philosophical Knowledge" section of the core curriculum.
PLSC 100: Political Theory
Professor Danford
TTh 2:30pm / 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
Professor Mayer
TTh 1:00pm / LSC
A utopia is a perfect world. In it the social problems that divide us have been brought to an end. Many of the great works of political theory describe such utopias. But, of course, we don’t live in a perfect world and we never will. We might therefore wonder what the point is of imagining it. In this introductory course we will try to answer that question by critically examining half a dozen famous utopias, ancient and modern. As we proceed on this intellectual journey we will try to ascertain which of these perfect worlds is best and whether any of them suggest valuable reforms that could improve our own admittedly imperfect society. This course is an option in the "Philosophical Knowledge" section of the core curriculum.
PLSC 100: Political Theory
Professor Ricci
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 Yoksas
MWF 12:35pm / LSC
How can a citizen know what a just law looks like? Why must citizens give deference to political authority? What is the difference between an effective leader and an ineffective leader? The history of mankind is the history of political relationships. The most fundamental of these relationships is the one between the government and the governed. Indeed, all human beings who live in a community with others will at some point be expected to either craft the laws or obey the laws crafted by others. The possession of political authority over the community comes with certain obligations to use the authority for the sake of the common good. Likewise, citizenship carries with it the obligation to obey the laws for the sake of civil order. This course is designed to examine this relationship between leaders and citizens. Students will read a variety of perspectives from the history of political thought, from ancient Greece to contemporary America. This course is an option in the "Philosophical Knowledge" section of the core curriculum.
PLSC 100: Political Theory
Professor Danford
TTh 2:30pm / 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
Professor Mayer
TTh 1:00pm / LSC
A utopia is a perfect world. In it the social problems that divide us have been brought to an end. Many of the great works of political theory describe such utopias. But, of course, we don’t live in a perfect world and we never will. We might therefore wonder what the point is of imagining it. In this introductory course we will try to answer that question by critically examining half a dozen famous utopias, ancient and modern. As we proceed on this intellectual journey we will try to ascertain which of these perfect worlds is best and whether any of them suggest valuable reforms that could improve our own admittedly imperfect society. This course is an option in the "Philosophical Knowledge" section of the core curriculum.