This course consists of an historical survey of social and political philosophy.  The purpose of this survey is to examine and evaluate the philosophical positions in order to determine how they may help us to better understand our contemporary social-political milieu.  In particular, we focus on the following issues:  the relationship between the individual and society and the relationship between the real and ideal, particularly as regards the possibility of developing social justice.  The course concludes with an examination of contemporary social issues such as poverty, the prison-industrial complex, the development of a "New World Order", the function of the mass media, etc., in order to perform a critical evaluation of the social and political philosophies revealed therein.  Are we realizing or impeding the realization of our own ideals of freedom, equality, and justice for all?

Course Syllabus is available for students on Web CT
Web CT Access Page

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