PHIL 1B — Social and Political Philosophy
Western political theory is grounded in philosophy. This class introduces Western political theory as it was first formulated by ancient philosophers like Plato and Aristotle; as it was expanded by philosophers such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Mill; as it was modernized by philosophers like Rawls and Nozick; and as it has been criticized by philosophers such as Charles Mills, Gloria Anzaldua, and other contemporary theorists. The class engages in examination of theoretical approaches to politics, of fundamental problems that arise in political contexts, and of proposed solutions to those problems. Students will analyze the relevance of political theory to contemporary political problems. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)