This course constitutes an introduction to political and social theory. It is focused on understanding three concepts that have been important in political/social thought from ancient times to the present: freedom, democracy, and justice. We will ask a fundamental question about each of these concepts, such as: is freedom fundamentally social or individual? Is democracy possible under modern conditions? Does justice require full equality for all persons?

Emphasis will be placed both on the teaching of elementary skills and principles of argumentation for philosophy and political theory as well as on learning some key ideas about politics and social life that are still influential today. This course is a good preparation for further study in philosophy, as well as being a first course in the new Philosophy, Politics, and Society concentration.The New Major & Minor Concentration in Philosophy, Politics, & Society

Books:

Philip Green (ed.), Democracy (Prometheus Books, $26.98)

David Miller (ed.), The Liberty Reader (Oxford University Press, $28.05)

Alan Ryan (ed.), Justice (Oxford University Press, $29.00)

Philosophy, Politics, and Society Coursepack (Shakespeare & Co. Books, price to be announced)