The course is designed to introduce students to the topic of distributive justice and
to develop the policy implications of the topic.  The class focuses on evaluation of
the theoretical bases for claims about social justice.  In  particular, we attempt to
identify the kinds of arguments that may ground defensible claims about the moral
acceptability of the rules and institutions that govern the distribution of social
goods.  The course is designed both:  (i) to improve the ability of students to
evaluate arguments and claims about the justice of policies and political outcomes;
and (ii) to help students to develop their own theoretical framework for ranking and
evaluating policies and outcomes.

The course focuses on the works of John Rawls, the leading contemporary theorist of
justice, and examines contrasting views in the work of Robert Nozick and Michael
Walzer.  First, the course discusses utilitarian theory and the cases for and against
consequentialism.  Second, the course examines Rawl's critique of utilitarianism, and
his arguments in favor of a theoretical approach to justice (deontology) that does not
define the right as simply maximization of the good.  After evaluating Rawls' case
for a deontological theory of justice, and the requirements of that theory, the
course examines recent social science data to determine how closely the social
structure of the United States approximates Rawlsian justice.  The course next
examines Nozick's libertarian critique of Rawls and his arguments in favor of his own
entitlement theory of justice.  Finally, the course evaluates Walzer's alternative
approach, which proposes that different types of principles may be appropriate for
realizing justice in distribution in different dimensions of the culture.

All academic work must meet the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty."  
Students are responsible for informing themselves about these standards before 
performing academic work.  The penalties for academic dishonesty are severe and 
ignorance is not an acceptable defense.  Also note that the course syllabus is a 
general plan for the course and that deviations announced to the class by the 
instructor may be necessary.