This course offers a survey of political theory in the West. We will examine some of the persistent dilemmas of politics and the attempts of several canonical political theorists to respond to them: Plato, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, and Nietzsche. In each case, we will attend to the particular crises these theorists addressed in their work, such as imperialism, the European wars of religion, the English Civil War, the French Revolution, and industrial capitalism, as well as the broader philosophical and political issues they continue to pose to us now. Our approach will be both historical and conceptual, providing students with an understanding of political theory as a distinctive form of political inquiry.
POSC 285 - Introduction to Political Theory Credit(s): 3INTRO TO POLITICAL THEORY
Component: Lecture
Basic introduction to political philosophy, organized not around particular historical periods or specific philosophers, but around some of the most important, enduring questions of political theory: What is the nature of the state? What are the obligations and responsibilities of citizens?
Repeatable for Credit: N Allowed Units: 3 Multiple Term Enrollment: N Grading Basis: Student Option University Breadth: Creative Arts and Humanities College of Arts and Sciences Breadth: GROUP A: A&S Creative Arts & Humanities Course Typically Offered: Verify offering with DeptGeneral Education Objectives:
GE1A: Read Critically GE1B: Analyze Arguments and Information GE2A: Communicate Effectively in Writing
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Contact CVPublicationsTeaching HOME / TEACHING / Introduction to Political Theory: Ancient, Modern, and Contemporary Semester: FallOffered: 2004Political theory is concerned with the fundamental questions of public life. What is the good human life and the good political order? Is there one political regime which is best? What is authority and what is freedom? Why should anyone obey anyone else? What is justice? Should justice be seen as the first virtue of social institutions? In this course we consider these questions in relation to the theory and practice of democracy. Our aim will be to use the tradition of political theory as a set of lenses through which to discover the virtues and defects of democracy as a way of life. By focusing on some of the core themes of politics, such as authority, liberty, justice, and the place of science and technology in public life, we will examine the way in which ancient, modern, and contemporary perspectives shed light on the nature of the democratic regime.
An introduction to political theory through the thought and texts of some of the most important political theorists. A study of the ideas of some of the major political theorists from the ancient Greeks to the 20th Century. Topics will include theories of human nature, the origin of government and law, man's relation to society and the state, the basis of political obligation, the idea of social contract, the idea of social progress, the critique of capitalism, and questions about race and gender. The thinkers discussed this year will include Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, The Federalist, J S Mill, Marx, Nietzsche, Arendt, Fanon.
This leading text provides a concise and broad-ranging introduction to the contemporary study of political theory. Each chapter discusses a cluster of interrelated concepts and examines how they have been used by different thinkers and traditions and explores related debates and controversies. The fourth edition of this highly successful and accessible book has been substantially revised and updated and includes extra attention throughout to non-Western approaches and international political theory.
Systematically covering the foundational concepts that have focused debate from Aristotle, Rousseau, Marx and Mill to the present day, this is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate courses on political thought and political philosophy. With increased discussion of the global dimensions of political thought it will appeal to an international audience, as well as to those lecturers interested in broadening their students' horizons.
New to this Edition:
- Increased coverage throughout of non-Western and post-colonial approaches, with Beyond the West features on Islamic, Buddhist, Chinese, Indian, African, Latin American and other traditions
- Takes the blurring divisions between Politics and International Relations into account, for instance through a new chapter on Security, War and World Order
- Thinking Globally boxes, and added discussions of transnationalism and cosmopolitanism
- Additional attention is paid to issues of identity and diversity to address contemporary political developments
POLS 3310 - Introduction to Political TheoryCredit Hours: 3.0
Lecture Contact Hours: 3 Lab Contact Hours: 0Prerequisite: POLS 1336 and 1337 or equivalent, or consent of instructor.
Description
Analysis of the texts of political theory from Plato to present to address enduring problems of politics.
Core Category: [81] Writing in the Disciplines
POLS 102 Introduction to Political TheoryThis course is designed to introduce students to some of the major themes and concepts associated with western political thought, including the function of politics and government, power, equality, justice and liberty. Students will analyze political thinkers from Plato and Aristotle to Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Marx and Rawls as well as challenge their ideas.
Terms Offered: Fall, Spring
Offered Distance Learning: No
Liberal Arts and Sciences Designation: Social Science
SUNY General Education Designation(s): Western Civilization
Credits: 3
Contact Hours:
Lecture: 3
Introduces the study of contemporary politics, focusing on understanding current events or enduring themes (power, war, justice, etc.) of politics. Students practice oral skills or writing skills needed to effectively engage in political discourse and communication. May be repeated for credit if content differs.
This course examines how state and non-state actors confront contemporary global problems. It also introduces students to the subfields of international relations: international security, international political economy, foreign policy, international relations theory, international organizations, and international law. Cross-listed with INTL 1050. GCP Coding: (GLBL) (CRI).
Presents the basic concepts, structures, and functions of the United States political system and an analysis of the role of individuals in the practice of American politics. GCP Coding: (SSHB) (CRI).
Introduces philosophical issues and concepts of political thought from antiquity to the present through examination, from different perspectives, of democracy, sovereignty and authority, justice, liberty, and the relationship between the individual and the state. Cross-listed with PHIL 2300. GCP Coding: (ROC) (CRI).
This course is an introduction to the systematic and analytical study of states/societies in the world using the comparative method. Students learn to compare countries on such topics as state legitimacy and capacity, ethnic conflicts, political ideologies and institutions, economic poverty and development, political violence, the impact of globalization, and environmental problems. GCP Coding: (GLBL) (INTC).
This one-credit-hour course provides students majoring in history, political science or international relations with the opportunity to explore career paths, including those related to their academic disciplines. Through a series of assignments, students will identify their interests and skills with various careers. The course will include guest speakers from a variety of careers, as well as individuals from Webster University's Career Services.
Interdisciplinary examination of women in the public sphere. Draws on studies in history, political science, sociology, and psychology in order to understand more fully the role of women in politics and society.
Interdisciplinary examination of race relations and associated political issues. May be broadly focused on a variety of racial relations or on two or more historical contexts, or may adopt a more specific focus, e.g. black/white relations within the context of history and politics in the United States.
Examines the politics of those countries customarily considered part of the affluent north. Topics may include evolution of political party systems, the evolution of communist systems, environmental and peace movements, economic integration of countries, planning and market mechanisms, trade policies, ethnic conflicts, governmental influence in collective bargaining systems, the welfare state, and tax revolts. May be repeated for credit if content differs.
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