Social and Political Philosophy -- Spring, 2001

Instructor: Jeanette Crooks
Office: Smith House (upstairs, east end)
Office Hours: T 12:30-2:00 and by appointment
Phone: 351-1690

Text

• Social Ideals and Policies, by Steven Luper (at the Book Stop)

Purpose of Course

In the next 15 weeks, we will focus on different conceptions of justice and social ideals such as "self-interest," "equality and fairness," "democracy and the limits of authority," and the "distribution of economic goods" and examine how they apply to contemporary society. We will study historical documents, including the writings of Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Marx, and Kant, to name a few, as well as consult contemporary figures such as Nozick, Rawls, Nussbaum, and Sandel.

Grades

You will be evaluated on the basis of class participation and a class presentation (100 points), one examination (100 points), and a research paper (100 points). Regular participation affects your grade positively; absence, arriving late and leaving early affect your grade negatively.

Course Schedule