PHIL 2945

PHIL 2945

Course information provided by the 2025-2026 Catalog.

This course examines controversies in the theory and history of civil disobedience. Do citizens have obligations to obey unjust laws? Can law breaking ever be civil rather than criminal? Do disruptive protests endanger democracy or strengthen the rule of law? How do acts of protest influence public opinion and policy? How is the distinction between violence and nonviolence politically constructed and contested? We will study classical writings and contemporary scholarship in pursuit of answers to these questions and related debates concerning the rule of law, conscientious objection, the uses of civility and incivility, punishment and responsibility, as well as whistleblowing, direct action, strikes, sabotage, hacktivism, and rioting.


Distribution Requirements (KCM-AG, SBA-AG), (SSC-AS), (OCE-IL)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2024SP, 2021FA, 2020FA, 2020SP

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Syllabi: none
  •   Regular Academic Session.  Choose one lecture and one discussion. Combined with: AMST 2785GOVT 2785

  • 4 Credits Stdnt Opt

  •  6554 PHIL 2945   LEC 001

    • MW
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026
    • Livingston, A

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  •  6555 PHIL 2945   DIS 201

    • T
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026
    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  •  6556 PHIL 2945   DIS 202

    • T
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026
    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  •  6557 PHIL 2945   DIS 203

    • R
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026
    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person

  •  6558 PHIL 2945   DIS 204

    • R
    • Jan 20 - May 5, 2026
    • Staff

  • Instruction Mode: In Person