Anarchism

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Though receiving far less theoretical attention than either liberalism or marxist socialism, anarchism - aka libertarian socialism - has been a rich and important strand in western political practice since the 18th c. This course will explore the underlying theoretical grounds and major divisions within the anarchist tradition as well as practical issues that arise in attempts to implement it. We will read both classical thinkers as well as contemporaries alongside historical and sociological accounts of movements. There will be more total pages of reading for this course than a typical philosophy course, and students will write several very short papers and one more substantial project - with a number of options for that project.