Next up in our new series of posts previewing summer and fall 2022 courses: Prof. Matt Kuchem, with a HiPPos class that spans the disciplines of philosophy and political science.
POS/PHI345 Modern Political Thought
Days/Times: Tu/Th 2:05-3:20pm in Fall 2022
Prerequisites: one course in political science, philosophy, Western history, or consent of instructor
Counts for:
• Major option: Philosophy (elective), Political Science (Political Philosophy option), Business & Political Science (Poli Sci elective), Digital Humanities (Humanities core elective), Social Studies Education 5-12 (content area elective)
• Minor: Philosophy (elective), Political Science (elective)
Complete the sentence: “Students should consider taking this course because…”
“…they’ll get to read from some of the best authors who’ve grappled with some of the biggest questions about politics and society.”
What’s a big question that you’re asking in this course?
What is justice, and what makes a political system just?
How often have you taught this course? What’s something you plan to do differently this time?
I teach this course every other year and usually tweak a few of the readings. But one of the fun things about this seminar is that every time I teach it, class discussions (on the same texts) often go in different and unexpected directions.
What’s a reading you’re especially excited for students in this course to discuss?
Truthfully, all of them! But since that’s not a particularly illuminating response, I’ll say that I’m looking forward to diving into the political philosophy of John Rawls on the nature of justice in a pluralistic society. How can we create a cohesive and just society when we disagree on what justice actually is? We’ll do a deep dive into his later work, plus look at some of his critics.
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