Course Description
Major issues in contemporary political thought with attention to the theoretical roots of major contemporary ideologies.
Athena Title
CONTEMP POL THOUGHT
Prerequisite
POLS 1101
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
This course introduces students to major issues in contemporary political thought with emphasis on more advanced theories within political philosophy. Although this course can be approached from a variety of perspectives, one approach is to study contemporary explanations for group formation and the role of government followed by the problems with group decision making. Students will demonstrate analytical learning in the course and may be evaluated based on research papers, examinations, class discussion, presentations, or other forms.
Topical Outline
This course can be addressed from a wide variety of perspectives. One set of topics includes: Contemporary theories of group action Solutions to the failures of collective action Group action in political protests Group action in international affairs Group action in the formation of government democracy and group decision making dictatorship versus democracy problems with preference aggregation liberty Arrow's Impossibility Theorem Sen's Liberal Paradox Implications