POS 5104 Radical Political Thought

This course examines the leading theorists of the radical tradition in political thought and why they continue to exert such lasting influence on politics. It will examine the theoretical foundations of communism, socialism and anarchism through a detailed reading of original texts. Emphasis will be on the two major developments in contemporary political thought151Critical Theory and Postmodernism, with a focus on two major thinkers in each of these schools of thought, Herber Marcuse and Michael Foucault. The course will consider: the role of the family in political socialization, political psychology, alienation and the political order, the roots of political violence and the 147postmodern debate148 in political theory. Effort will be made to develop the skills involved in the study of political theory-critical thinking and political analysis.

Credits

3