Course Description
An exploration of the theoretical basis for claims about social justice. In particular, what kinds of arguments ground persuasive claims about the moral acceptability of the rules and institutions that govern the distribution of social goods?
Athena Title
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
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.
Topical Outline
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.
Syllabus