Mar 29, 2024  
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2022-23 
    
OHIO University Undergraduate Catalog 2022-23 [Archived Catalog]

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POLS 3700 - The Enlightenment and its Critics


The western enlightenment still shapes the parameters of much of what we take for granted about political life today. Beginning with the work of Immanuel Kant and John Locke as thinkers central to the western enlightenment, critically examines the relationships between power and knowledge, individual freedom and social and political order, reason and religion, progress and pluralism. Critical examinations draw from work ranging from early conservative responses to the enlightenment, to Marxist, psychoanalytic, existentialist, feminist and postcolonial work.

Requisites: POLS 2700
Credit Hours: 3
Repeat/Retake Information: May be retaken two times excluding withdrawals, but only last course taken counts.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:
  • Some theorists contend that all practices of critique require enlightenment commitments to at least a minimal extent. Students will be able to knowledgeably engage this contention.
  • Students will be able to analyze the relationship between these themes and political interests favoring order and stability.
  • Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of relationships between key themes recurring in enlightenment work. These might include but are not limited to: freedom, consent, knowledge, and progress.
  • Students will be able to make the connections between as well as critiques of enlightenment commitments from perspectives which may include but aren’t limited to conservative thought, Marxist, psychoanalytic, existential, feminist & post-colonial.



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