Program Requirements
This program offers a specialization in the subfield of political theory and allows students the opportunity to draw on closely-related courses in moral and political philosophy offered by the Department of Philosophy. Students who have completed the appropriate introductory work in the disciplines of classics, economics, history, or sociology may take specified courses in these disciplines toward the program requirements.
Complementary Courses (18 credits)
18 credits selected as follows:
Category A
9 credits from Category A.
3 credits at the introductory level from:
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PHIL 240 Political Philosophy 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An introduction to contemporary philosophy of politics by concentrating on a number of contested concepts, such as freedom, justice and equality, in contemporary political philosophy and practice.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Martin, Dominic (Fall)
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POLI 231 Introduction to Political Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : The course introduces students to political theory through critical examination of classic texts in the history of political thought. In addition to gaining an understanding of several different traditions of political thought, students are encouraged to develop their skills in textual interpretation, critical reasoning, and essay-writing.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Abizadeh, Arash (Winter)
Note: The field is Political Theory.
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POLI 232 Modern Political Thought (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : The course introduces students to modern political thought through a critical examination of some of the key political ideologies and concepts of contemporary political discourse. Themes vary from year to year, and may include liberalism, conservatism, socialism, feminism, democracy, power, justice, and freedom.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Muniz-Fraticelli, Victor (Fall)
Note: The field is Political Theory.
At least 6 credits selected from:
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POLI 333 Western Political Theory 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : The major themes and writers in the political theory of classical antiquity. The political ideas of Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, and the Hellenistic philosophers will be explored through the significant texts of this period.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Roberts, William (Fall)
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POLI 334 Western Political Theory 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : Medieval and renaissance political philosophy, from Saint Augustine to Sir Thomas More. Scholastic and neo-scholastic political thought, natural law and natural rights, as well as civic and northern humanism, republicanism and liberty. Twentieth century work on similar concepts will be used.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Levy, Jacob (Winter)
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POLI 433 History of Political/Social Theory 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : Early modern political philosophy, from Luther to Rousseau and Burke. Resistance theories of the 16th century, Hobbes and Locke, the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. Twentieth century work on concepts developed in this period such as rights, revolution, legitimacy, democracy, authority and liberty.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Abizadeh, Arash (Fall)
Prerequisite: POL1 231 or 232 or 333 or 334 or written permission
Note: The field is Political Theory
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POLI 434 History of Political/Social Theory 4 (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : A consideration of selected writers and themes of late 19th and 20th century political theory. Writers include Hegel, Clausewitz, Marx, Mill, Nietzsche, Lenin, Rowis, Foucault, and Habermas. The rise of industrial society, scientism, the romantic revolt, revolutionary movements, socialism and liberal-democracy.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Roberts, William (Winter)
Prerequisite: POL1 433
Note: The field is Political Theory.
Category B
9 credits from Category B.
Note: A course can only be used once in the program; a course used toward Category A may not also be used toward Category B.
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CLAS 416 Advanced Latin: Philosophy (3 credits)
Overview
Classics : The reading of selected texts in Roman Philosophy Prose in the original Latin.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: 6 credits of Intermediate Latin or permission of instructor
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CLAS 426 Advanced Greek: Philosophy (3 credits)
Overview
Classics : The reading of selected texts in Greek Philosophy Prose in the original Ancient Greek.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: 6 credits of Intermediate Ancient Greek or permission of instructor
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ECON 334 History of Economic Doctrines (3 credits)
Overview
Economics (Arts) : The course surveys the development of economics, how the discipline and the thinking of economists evolved, and the significance of some of the analytical tools used.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Watson, William (Winter)
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HIST 320 European Thought and Culture 1 (3 credits)
Overview
History : The cultural and intellectual history of Europe from the late Middle Ages to the to the 18th century traces the origins of the modern sense of self in popular culture and in the texts of Erasmus, Luther, Calvin, Descartes, Pascal, Voltaire and Rousseau.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
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HIST 321 European Thought and Culture 2 (3 credits)
Overview
History : A cultural and intellectual history of Europe from the French Revolution to the present which traces the origins of the modern sense of self in popular culture and in the texts of Goethe, Comte, Marx and Engels, Nietzsche, Dostoevsky.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: HIST 320 or consent of the instructor
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken 101-320D
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PHIL 334 Ethical Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : A course focusing on central questions in ethical theory such as the nature of the good and the right and the factors which determine moral rightness and wrongness.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Scarfone, Matthew (Fall)
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PHIL 344 Medieval and Renaissance Political Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : A study of Medieval and Renaissance political theory.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Levy, Jacob (Winter)
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PHIL 345 Greek Political Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An examination of the ethical and political theories of ancient Greece, especially those of Plato and Aristotle.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken POLI 333
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PHIL 348 Philosophy of Law 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : A discussion of the nature of justice and law, and of the relationship between them.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Ramsoomair, Nicole (Fall)
Restriction: This course is intended for students with a non-professional interest in law, as well as for those considering law as a profession
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PHIL 442 Topics in Feminist Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : Advanced discussion of topical and central themes in feminist theory.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: PHIL 242 and one intermediate course in philosophy
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PHIL 444 Early Modern Political Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : A survey of political and moral theory from the Reformation to the French Revolution including Luther, Montaigne, Descartes, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Smith.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: at least one course in political philosophy
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PHIL 445 19th Century Political Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An examination of various strands of political theory since Rousseau, concentrating on such themes as the understanding of modernity and theories of liberal society.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Barnes, Amy (Winter)
Prerequisite: at least one course in political philosophy
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken POLI 434
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PHIL 454 Ancient Moral Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Philosophy : An examination of central themes of ancient moral theory as treated by two or more contrasting philosophers or philosophical traditions - probably including Plato and/or Aristotle, and possibly some Hellenistic or post-Hellenistic schools.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Fiasse, Gaelle (Winter)
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POLI 333 Western Political Theory 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : The major themes and writers in the political theory of classical antiquity. The political ideas of Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, and the Hellenistic philosophers will be explored through the significant texts of this period.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Roberts, William (Fall)
-
POLI 334 Western Political Theory 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : Medieval and renaissance political philosophy, from Saint Augustine to Sir Thomas More. Scholastic and neo-scholastic political thought, natural law and natural rights, as well as civic and northern humanism, republicanism and liberty. Twentieth century work on similar concepts will be used.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Levy, Jacob (Winter)
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POLI 362 Political Theory and International Relations (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : Key contributions of political theory to the study and practice of international relations. Three prevailing theoretical traditions will be examined: realism, 'international society', and cosmopolitanism. Key practical issues to be explored from these perspectives include war, humanitarian intervention, economic globalization, environment, and gender.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Fournier, Philippe (Winter)
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POLI 363 Contemporary Political Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : This course explores fundamental currents of thought in political philosophy. Topics will vary from year to year, and may include issues such as classical liberalism and its opponents, the foundations of socialism and Marxism, rational choice theory and its critics.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: A 200 or 300 level course in political theory
Note: The field is Political Theory.
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POLI 364 Radical Political Thought (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : Radical themes in contemporary political thought and action.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Winter, Yves (Fall)
Prerequisite: A 200- or 300-level course in political theory
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POLI 365 Democratic Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : A series of lectures and seminars on democratic theory.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2015-2016 academic year.
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: A 200- or 300-level course in political theory
Note: The field is Political Theory.
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POLI 366 Topics in Political Theory 1 (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : A specific problem area in Political Theory.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Velji, Muhammad (Winter)
Prerequisites: A 200- or 300-level course in political theory
Note: The field is Political Theory.
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POLI 367 Liberal Political Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : The development of liberal political thought and theories of justice, including a selection of authors from: Locke, Montesquieu, Smith, Constant, Kant, Mill, Tocqueville, Berlin, Hayek, Rawls, Nozick, Walzer, and Kymlicka, as well as some of their critics.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Muniz-Fraticelli, Victor (Winter)
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POLI 433 History of Political/Social Theory 3 (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : Early modern political philosophy, from Luther to Rousseau and Burke. Resistance theories of the 16th century, Hobbes and Locke, the Enlightenment and the French Revolution. Twentieth century work on concepts developed in this period such as rights, revolution, legitimacy, democracy, authority and liberty.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Abizadeh, Arash (Fall)
Prerequisite: POL1 231 or 232 or 333 or 334 or written permission
Note: The field is Political Theory
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POLI 434 History of Political/Social Theory 4 (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : A consideration of selected writers and themes of late 19th and 20th century political theory. Writers include Hegel, Clausewitz, Marx, Mill, Nietzsche, Lenin, Rowis, Foucault, and Habermas. The rise of industrial society, scientism, the romantic revolt, revolutionary movements, socialism and liberal-democracy.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Roberts, William (Winter)
Prerequisite: POL1 433
Note: The field is Political Theory.
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POLI 459 Topics in Political Theory 2 (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : This course will deal with a specific problem area in Political theory.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: Roberts, William (Winter)
Prerequisite: A 300- or 400-level course in political theory
Note: The field is Political Theory.
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POLI 470 Philosophy, Economy and Society (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : The application of normative political theory and the history of political thought to state-society and state-market relations and governance. The justice and ethics of economic policies and modes of production; social-theoretic and economic examinations of the state and the state system from social theory and economic theory.
Terms: Winter 2016
Instructors: McGinnis, Briana (Winter)
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SOCI 330 Sociological Theory (3 credits)
Overview
Sociology (Arts) : Major sociological theoretical traditions are seen in their historical contexts, as the background to current theoretical issues. Emphasis on Smith, Tocqueville, Marx, Durkheim, Weber and Parsons.
Terms: Fall 2015
Instructors: Hall, John Anthony (Fall)
Prerequisite: SOCI 210 or permission of instructor