Spring 2013
    Law No.: LAW7036
    Sched. No.: 113219301

Contemporary Political Theory
Section 1
X
Simmons, Alan J.



Administrative Information:
During SIS enrollment, check on SIS for real-time enrollment numbers
Days, Times (Room):TR, 1410-1530 (WB121)
Credits:3Type:Lecture
Capacity:15 **This information is current as of 05/17/2013 06:18:20 AM**
Current Enrollment:15 **This information is current as of 05/17/2013 06:18:20 AM**

Course Description:

In the latter half of the twentieth century, political liberalism has been the most influential theory of the state in the Western world. Philosophers, economists, legal academics, feminists, critical race scholars, and historians have sought to explain and justify the scope and limits of political coercion by debating the merits of liberalism. The most prominent contemporary defender of liberalism has been the philosopher John Rawls, on whose work the first half of this course will focus. Among the earliest of Rawls’ critics was the libertarian Robert Nozick, who urged a different kind of emphasis on the individual than that defended by liberals. More recently still, libertarianism has itself branched, with traditional right-libertarianism being rejected by the new wave of so-called “left-libertarians”, who have tried to find a middle ground between liberalism and traditional libertarianism. The second half of this course will concentrate on the debates between liberalism and the various forms of libertarianism.

COURSE REQUIREMENT: Examination or a substantial research paper may be substituted with the permission of the instructor. NOTE: Students seeking to satisfy the upper-level writing requirement must submit a completed Writing Requirement Intent Form to the Student Records Office no later than February 22, 2013.