PHIL 0030. Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy
Units: 3
Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A
Hours: 54 lecture
Major philosophical issues surrounding the nature of society and justifications for the authority of the state. Focuses on how the concepts of the common good, individual rights, liberty, equality, and democracy relate to notions of justice, private property and the legitimate use of state power. (CSU, UC)
PHIL 0030 - Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/course-outlines/phil-0030/
Catalog Description DESCRIPTION IS HERE: Advisory: Eligibility for ENGL 1A Hours: 54 lecture Description: Major philosophical issues surrounding the nature of society and justifications for the authority of the state. Focuses on how the concepts of the common good, individual rights, liberty, equality, and democracy relate to notions of justice, private property and the legitimate use of state power. (CSU, UC) Units 3 Lecture-Discussion 54 Laboratory By Arrangement Contact Hours 54 Outside of Class Hours Course Student Learning Outcomes Identify and describe major philosophical positions concerning the relationship between the individual and society. Compare and contrast philosophical theories on the concept of justice. Evaluate major social and political philosophies. Communicate effectively orally or in writing on a topic in social-political philosophy. Course Content Outline I. Classical Theory A. Plato B. Aristotle C. Natural Law Theory i. Augustine ii. Aquinas D. Social Contract i. Hobbes ii. Locke iii. Rousseau II. Contemporary Theory A. Classical Liberalism i. Kant ii. Mill B. Critiques of Classical Liberalism and Social Contract i. Hegel ii. Marx C. Contemporary Liberalism and Its Critics i. Rawls ii. Habermas iii. Nozick iv. Communitarians v. Feminists Course Objectives Course Objectives 1. Explain in written and oral activities the concepts of: the common good, individual human rights, freedom, justice, equality, liberalism, totalitarianism, libertarianism and communitarianism. 2. Construct a visual representation of the role that the common good, individual rights, liberty and equality relate to the ideal of justice in each theory. 3. Compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of the conceptions of justice offered by each theory. 4. Describe and evaluate Kant's contribution to liberalism. 5. Evaluate the tension between the concepts of the common good and individual rights. 6. Assess the forcefulness of the challenge that each view poses to the others, and for our own culture. 7. Evaluate the differences between the social contract theories of Hobbes, Locke and Rawls. 8. Evaluate a criticism of liberalism, such as Marx, Communitarians, and/or Feminists. Methods of Evaluation Classroom Discussions Essay Examinations Objective Examinations Projects Reading Assignments 1. Read Plato's The Republic, Book I, and come to class able to summarize Thracymachus's response to the Socrates on the nature of justice. 2. Read Hobbes's, Leviathan, ch. 13, and come to able to summarize his position on the 'natural condition'. 3. Read Locke's, Second Treatise of Government, ch. 1-4, and come to class being able to summarize Locke's justification of punishment. Writing, Problem Solving or Performance 1. Formal Paper: write a 3 page minimum essay answering all parts of the question prompt that is typed, double-spaced, size 12 font paper. Plato worried that the superficial answers given by respectable citizens, such as Cephalus and Polemarchus, led to doubts about the possibility of justice, such as those presented by Glaucon. What is Glaucon's challenge and what must be shown about justice in order to satisfy Glaucon's challenge? 2. Formal Paper: write a 3 page minimum essay answering all parts of the question prompt that is typed, double-spaced, size 12 font paper. Nozick maintains that principles of justice fall into three broad categories. What are the three categories, and why does Nozick think that any principles of justice that go beyond these (such as the utilitarian principle, Rawls’s “principle of fair equality of opportunity”, or Rawls’s “difference principle”) are objectionable? Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.) 1. Keep a journal in which you identify examples of Platonic/Aristotelian, social contract and libertarian concepts that you find in the contemporary culture. Methods of Instruction Lecture/Discussion Distance Learning Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.
Humanities
http://catalog.sierracollege.edu/departments/humanities/
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Course Identification Numbering System (C-ID)
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