This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
In this upper-level government course you will be challenged and go deep into the roots of different political philosophies – taught in the context of Catholic teaching. Additionally, you will use your critical thinking and essay-writing skills.
Total classes: 12
Prerequisite: None, but American Democracy and Government or other American civics course strongly recommended.
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th grade only – the subject matter/reading is often advanced.
Suggested credit: One full semester Government or Humanities
Description
This course will expose students to the roots of various political philosophies and systems, including ancient democracies in Athens and Rome, as well as an in-depth review of socialism and communism. A highlight of this class is the study of Marx’s Communist Manifesto, which challenges students to put economic and social justice into a political context. Critical thinking and essay writing are emphasized in this course.
Outline
Week 1: Origins of Political Philosophy – Plato & Aristotle: Foundation for Western Democracy?
Week 2: English Political Philosophers – Hobbes, Locke, Mill & Acton
Week 3: French Political Philosophers – Descartes, Rousseau, & Voltaire
Week 4: Our Founders: Divine & Natural Law
Week 5: Karl Marx & the Foundation of Communism – The Communist Manifesto (Part 1)
Week 6: Karl Marx & the Communist Manifesto (Part 2)
Week 7: Socialism – In the eye of the beholder
Week 8: Athenian (Ancient Greek) Democracy
Week 9: Ancient Roman Democracy
Week 10: Modern Parliamentary Democracy
Week 11: Modern Theories of Just Societies: Distributism, Rawls’ Theory of Justice, etc.
Week 12: Catholic Teaching & Principles
Materials and Homework
Course Materials: FREE online and printable resources provided by instructor.
Homework: Reading, quizzes, essay questions, and online research. Expect 2 to 3 hours each week on homework.
