SOC 2930

Equality, Liberty, and Democracy

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2014-2015.

An interdisciplinary discussion of economic inequality, civil, political and economic liberty and democracy. Some specific questions that we will consider are: In what ways and to what extent are Americans economically unequal? What are the major causes of American inequality and poverty? To what extent should inequality and poverty be changed by political means?  How should governments deal with religious diversity and other differences in ultimate values, which give rise, for example, to radically different attitudes toward abortion, sexuality, and the preservation of unspoiled nature?  Moral argument, empirical findings and theories of social causes interact in the search for answers to these questions. Our readings will derive from many disciplines and areas of public life, including political philosophy, sociology, economics, and political science.

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