The Brady Scholars Program: The Good Society (273-3-20)
Topic
The Good Society
Instructors
Laura Ariadne Martin
Meeting Info
Kresge Centennial Hall 2-425: Tues, Thurs 2:00PM - 3:20PM
Overview of class
This course is the third in the sequence of Brady seminars. We will explore central questions in political philosophy including, but not limited to, the following. What are the ends of political community? When is the exercise of power legitimate, and when is it illegitimate? Do political communities safeguard against selfish motives, or express our natural goodness? Is there such a thing as human nature? What values can hold a community together? Can capitalist societies be good societies? How should we respond to racial and gender oppression? We will explore these questions by engaging with classical and contemporary political theory. Readings may include Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Nietzsche, Marx, Fanon, and MacKinnon.
Registration Requirements
Brady Program
Learning Objectives
This course will enable students to: • Articulate central problems in political philosophy, and different positions in this tradition. • Read and critically reflect on philosophical texts, both historical and contemporary. Students will learn how to understand, analyze, and critically engage with a philosophical argument. • Express ideas in a persuasive, clear, and organized piece of writing. • Engage in a respectful and productive discussion (and disagreement!) of ideas with others in the classroom. • Connect philosophical ideas to their own lives and contemporary political issues.
Class Materials (Required)
Plato, Republic (Hackett);
Hobbes, Leviathan (Oxford);
Locke, Second Treatise of Government (Hackett);
Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morality (Cambridge)
Some books for the class should be purchased, although these texts can also be found online or in the library. Other materials will be made available for free on Canvas.
Class Attributes
Ethics & Values Distro Area
Associated Classes
DIS - Kresge Centennial Hall 2-335: Thurs 3:30PM - 4:20PM