PHIL 457 - Political Philosophy

(3 units) CO12, CO14

Detailed study of selected issues, e.g., justice, freedom, equality, tyranny, prudence, war, power, contract, consent, racism, feminism, politics and economics, politics and the human good. (PHIL 457 and PSC 409A are cross-listed; credit may be earned in one of the two.)

Prerequisite(s): 6 credits in philosophy.

Grading Basis: Graded
Units of Lecture: 3
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. state a thesis about a problem in contemporary political philosophy, and provide evidence and philosophical argument (including replies to counter-arguments) in its defense.
2. interpret the broadly ethical ideas associated with political philosophy (e.g., justice) in the contemporary philosophical literature.
3. distinguish better and worse reasoning, and recognize relevant logical relationships and patterns of inference (in the context of contemporary political philosophy).
4. show what is at stake in abstract debates in contemporary political philosophy, and indicate how different positions in these debates have ethical implications for individual citizens and states.
5. develop an original research project in which they interview active participants in contemporary political affairs and analyze their findings with the tools of political philosophers.

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