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First-Year Writing Seminar (101-8-22)

Topic

Wealth, Power, and Politics

Instructors

Chloe Thurston
847/467-4067
601 University Place
Office Hours: http://www.polisci.northwestern.edu/people/core-faculty/chloe-thurston.html

Meeting Info

Scott Hall 107 Burdick Room: Mon, Wed 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

Can democracies withstand extreme inequality? This course examines this question from a range of theoretical perspectives before turning to empirical analysis of contemporary American politics. Students will engage with classic and contemporary thinkers on questions of power, influence, representation, political legitimacy, and democratic backsliding and resilience.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand a diverse range of theoretical perspectives on the relationship between economic inequality and the quality of democracy.
  • Evaluate historical and contemporary evidence (both qualitative and quantitative) to understand the relationship between economic inequality and democratic politics.
  • Apply key concepts and theories from political science and related disciplines to interpret debates about inequality and democratic representation.
  • Strengthen academic writing skills through drafting, peer review, and revision, with attention to clarity, organization, and persuasive argumentation.

Teaching Method

Seminar

Class Materials (Required)

David Lay Williams, The Greatest of All Plagues: How Economic Inequality Shaped Political Thought from Plato to Marx (Princeton 2024: 9780691171975 );

Milton and Rose Friedman, "Free to Choose: A Personal Statement" (Mariner Books 1990: 9780156334600);

Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, "The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger" (Bloomsbury 2010: 978-1608191703)

Class Attributes

WCAS Writing Seminar

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Weinberg First Year Seminars are only available to first-year students.