Political Theory - Introduction
Introduction
| Areas of Study | Field and Examination Requirements
| Master Syllabus
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Faculty
| Dissertation
Prospectus Guide
Political theorists explore the foundations of political life and deliberate about its proper organization. To study political theory is to develop the analytic and interpretive skills, the moral and philosophic judgment, and the social and historical knowledge needed to critically assess a tradition of political thought that dates back over two millennia.
Students in the graduate program in political theory investigate how various political quandaries have been intellectually and morally grappled with over time and creatively work through such quandaries themselves. The faculty expose students to the major figures and texts in the 2500 year old tradition of political thought, the moral and epistemological foundations and methods of political theory, the ideological features of politics, current controversies in political thought, and enduring topics of concern such as the nature of equality, liberty, justice and power.
Within the broad confines of this curriculum, students selecting theory as one of their fields are given considerable room to define their own avenues of research. Political theorists in the department have particular interests in continental political philosophy, democratic theory, environmental ethics, the history of Anglophone political thought, liberalism, and contemporary political thought.
