Module #1 Introduction to Modern Political Theory Overview of the course, key concepts, and historical context of modern political thought
Module #2 The Enlightenment and the Emergence of Modernity Discussion of key Enlightenment thinkers, their ideas, and the impact on modern political thought
Module #3 Social Contract Theory:Hobbes and Locke Analyzing the social contract theories of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke, including their views on human nature, state of nature, and the role of government
Module #4 Social Contract Theory:Rousseau and the General Will Examining Jean-Jacques Rousseaus social contract theory, including his concept of the general will and its implications for democracy
Module #5 Utilitarianism:Bentham and Mill Exploring the foundational principles of utilitarianism, including the ideas of Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill
Module #6 Liberalism and the Emergence of Classical Liberal Thought Tracing the development of classical liberal thought, including the ideas of Immanuel Kant, Adam Smith, and Friedrich Hayek
Module #7 Marxism and the Critique of Liberalism Analyzing Karl Marxs critique of liberalism, including his ideas on alienation, exploitation, and the role of class struggle in history
Module #8 Anarchism and the Rejection of the State Examining the principles of anarchism, including the ideas of Mikhail Bakunin, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, and Emma Goldman
Module #9 Nationalism and the Politics of Identity Discussing the rise of nationalism, including its various forms, ideological underpinnings, and implications for modern politics
Module #10 Feminism and the Politics of Gender Exploring the development of feminist thought, including the ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft, Simone de Beauvoir, and contemporary feminist theorists
Module #11 Multiculturalism and the Politics of Diversity Analyzing the concept of multiculturalism, including its implications for democracy, identity, and social justice
Module #12 Conservatism and the Defense of Tradition Examining the principles of conservatism, including the ideas of Edmund Burke, Friedrich Nietzsche, and contemporary conservative thought
Module #13 Postcolonialism and the Critique of Western Dominance Discussing the rise of postcolonial thought, including the ideas of Frantz Fanon, Gayatri Spivak, and Homi Bhabha
Module #14 Communitarianism and the Ethics of Community Exploring the communitarian critique of liberalism, including the ideas of Amitai Etzioni, Michael Sandel, and Charles Taylor
Module #15 Deliberative Democracy and the Politics of Participation Analyzing the concept of deliberative democracy, including its implications for democratic theory and practice
Module #16 Global Justice and the Ethics of International Relations Discussing the concept of global justice, including its implications for international relations, human rights, and global governance
Module #17 Cosmopolitanism and the Ethics of Global Citizenship Examining the concept of cosmopolitanism, including its implications for global citizenship, human rights, and democratic theory
Module #18 The Politics of Recognition and the Struggle for Identity Analyzing the politics of recognition, including the ideas of Charles Taylor, Axel Honneth, and Nancy Fraser
Module #19 Neoliberalism and the Marketization of Politics Discussing the rise of neoliberal thought, including its implications for democracy, inequality, and the role of the state
Module #20 Populism and the Politics of Resentment Examining the concept of populism, including its implications for democracy, social justice, and the role of the people
Module #21 Climate Justice and the Ethics of Sustainability Analyzing the concept of climate justice, including its implications for environmentalism, sustainability, and global governance
Module #22 Digital Democracy and the Politics of Technology Discussing the impact of technology on democracy, including its implications for participation, surveillance, and the role of the state
Module #23 Post-Truth Politics and the Crisis of Democracy Examining the concept of post-truth politics, including its implications for democracy, epistemology, and the role of the media
Module #24 Comparative Political Theory and the Challenge of Pluralism Analyzing the concept of comparative political theory, including its implications for cross-cultural understanding and democratic theory
Module #25 Course Wrap-Up & Conclusion Planning next steps in Modern Political Theory career
