This course serves as an introduction to political theory, one of the subfields of political science. Political theory traditionally focuses on questions of how to manage our lives together. It concerns itself with questions of how we should live, as individuals and communities, what counts as valuable human life, what justice is, what just and fair institutions look like, and how to deal with the problems human communities face. Political theory also explores the (sometimes changing) meanings of “democracy,” “liberalism,” and “conservatism."

This course is organized around a set of problems human communities have faced, and questions we face in the early twenty-first: how to understand ourselves and our institutions, how to cooperate, how to share resources, and how to understand our disagreements.

Readings will include classical political theory such as Plato, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke, as well as contemporary popular and academic work.

Course Requirements:

The course will be taught using gameful learning. Students have many different choices for assignments, their timing, and relative weight. Grading will reward risk taking, initiative, and problem solving.

Intended Audience:

Primarily for first- and second-year students

Class Format:

The course uses various interactive technologies, both in interactive lectures and discussions. A laptop is recommended but not required.