Contemporary Political Theory
GOVT 339
Spring 2012
| Section:
01
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| Certificates: Social, Cultural and Critical Theory |
This course examines a number of important 20th-century theories of politics. Major issues include the role of reason in grounding the basic values and principles of our moral and political lives, the moral and conceptual foundations of liberal and civic republican democracy, and critiques of liberalism from communitarian, critical theory, and postmodern perspectives. This course, together with GOVT337 and GOVT338, provides a survey of major Western political theories; at least two of these courses are recommended for students concentrating in political theory. |
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Essential Capabilities:
Ethical Reasoning, Interpretation
We will examine major theories of politics and society and their contested interpretations. All of these theories put forward normative claims that we will assess.
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
SBS GOVT |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Student Option |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (CSCT)(GOVT)(GOVT-Theory) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: Not Available |
| SECTION 01 |
Major Readings: Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore
Nietzsche, GENEALOGY OF MORALS
Freud, CIVILIZATION AND ITS DISCONTENTS
Camus, THE REBEL
Oakeshott, RATIONALISM IN POLITICS AND OTHER ESSAYS
Schmitt, THE CONCEPT OF THE POLITICAL
Foucault, MADNESS AND CIVILIZATION
Ratzinger & Habermas, THE DIALECTICS OF SECULARIZATION: ON REASON AND RELIGION
Habermas, THE FUTURE OF HUMAN NATURE
Rawls, JUSTICE AS FAIRNESS, A RESTATEMENT
Chodorow, FEMINISM AND PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY
Brown, STATES OF INJURY
Thich Naht Hahn, THE ART OF POWER
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Examinations and Assignments:
One class presentation and short paper, midterm paper, final exam. |
Additional Requirements and/or Comments:
Some background in social or political theory -- from GOVT, SOC. HIST, PHIL, CSS, OR COL --
is helpful. |
| Instructor(s): Anderson,Christopher Hans Times: .M.W... 02:40PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC422; |
| Total Enrollment Limit: 25 | | SR major: 6 | JR major: 6 | | |
| Seats Available: 8 | GRAD: X | SR non-major: 3 | JR non-major: 2 | SO: 8 | FR: X |
| Drop/Add Enrollment Requests | | | | | |
| Total Submitted Requests: 0 | 1st Ranked: 0 | 2nd Ranked: 0 | 3rd Ranked: 0 | 4th Ranked: 0 | Unranked: 0 |
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