Course Description
This course will focus on political ideology: ideas about what goals governments and society should pursue and how to pursue those goals. Major themes will include liberalism, socialism, communism, fascism, anarchism, and libertarianism.
Athena Title
Political Ideologies
Prerequisite
POLS 1101 or POLS 1105H or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101S
Semester Course Offered
Offered every even-numbered year. Offered every odd-numbered year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The major objectives of this course involve students developing a substantive background on the evolution of political ideologies in the centuries following the Renaissance to foster critical thought about political ideology, the nature of government, and the politics of our time. Upon successful completion of this course students should: 1) Define the major political ideologies. 2) Compare and contrast major political ideologies and their variants. 3) Critically assess political ideologies and their compatibility with the American constitutional framework. 4) Understand how political ideology is measured in political science research. 5) Integrate the lessons of the course into an original essay about a major political ideology.
Topical Outline
Week 1: Introduction to Political Ideologies Week 2: Political Ideology in Historical Context Week 3: Anarchism Week 4 - 6: Liberalism Week 7 and 8: Socialism Week 9 and 10: Communism Week 11: Libertarianism Week 12: Fascism Week 13: Nationalism Week 14: Feminism Week 15: Political Ideology and the Democratic Ideal
Syllabus