Time Schedule:
Fareed A. Awan
PHIL 110
Seattle Campus
An introduction to political theories such as conservatism, liberalism, and socialism and their treatment of select social issues.
Class description
This course will focus on contemporary debates in political philosophy. In particular, the course will critically examine answers to three questions: (1) Why should there be a state rather than none? (2) What state best exemplifies the ideal of justice? (3) What is equality? We will begin by examining the historical bases for justifying the state, anarchist critiques, and the social contract. We will spend significant time on contemporary theories of justice, including the liberal egalitarianism of John Rawls, Mill’s Consequentialism, Nozick and Hayek’s Libertarianism, and G.A. Cohen’s Marxist Egalitarianism. Given this framework for understanding normative questions in political philosophy, we will address the descriptive fact of difference in the world. First, we will address current debates about difference within society: specifically, How should a modern society with numerous racial, ethnic, and religious differences understand these differences? Are these identities necessary for leading an authentic life? Are these identities at odds with a just state? And finally, we will ask what (if anything) is owed to people in different societies. Specifically, how do we treat poor people, far away, who neither you nor I will ever meet as equals? Along these lines, we examine to what degree (if any) the developed world is responsible for the plight of the developed world. Students will be expected to read critically, to contribute to class discussion, and to develop their skills in philosophical writing and argument.
Student learning goals
Understand contemporary debates in political philosophy
Develop critical philosophical writing skills
Develop the ability to read critically and reconstruct arguments
Test one's political and philosophical beliefs (whatever they might be) against opposing viewpoints
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
Short writing assignments, a longer paper, two exams, and participation make up the assignments in the course.
