PHIL 152 - Social and Political Philosophy

Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 5
This course will focus on an analysis of the various theories and selections of original writings from major western political philosophers such as Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Marx, and Rawls. In addition, Martha Nussbaum and key feminist political theorists such as Julia Kristeva will be discussed.
Recommended: PHIL& 101, READ 088 or higher and ENGL 097.
Course Outcomes:

Demonstrate a written and verbal understanding of philosophical political theory.
Examine differences and similarities between social contract theories, states of nature and power relationships.
Compare and contrast economic ideologies including, but not limited to, socialism and capitalism within a context of the individual and the individual’s place in society.
Distinguish different theories of justice as they pertain to individual’s rights and freedoms within a microcosm and macrocosm.
Incorporate and apply knowledge ot theories of justice and economics to evaluate abstract concepts such as liberty and rights, discussions of distributions of property and freedoms/restrictions within the state.

Course Topics:

Principle theories of political philosophers (Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Mill, Marx, Rawls, Nussbaum and Kristeva)
Social Contract Theory
Natural and Civil Rights
Theories of Justice
Power Relationships
Economic Alienation
Feminist political philosophy

Course Attribute(s): Humanities