In this upper-level government course you will be challenged and go deep into the roots of different political philosophies – taught in the context of Catholic teaching. Additionally, you will use your critical thinking and essay-writing skills.
How to get the most out of Introduction to Political Philosophy & Systems With Ed Rivet, MPA.:
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Have a notebook ready and available for class notes each live session.
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Read assignments before class meetings
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Watch that week’s recording if you need to revisit information from our live session.
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Do the assignments, quizzes, and any extra work assigned for that week.
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Once the course is completed to the parent's and professor’s satisfaction, there is a Certificate of Completion at the end to be filled in for your records.
Total Classes: 12
Duration: 55 minutes
Prerequisite: None, but American Democracy and Government or other American civics course strongly recommended.
Suggested grade level: 11th to 12th grade only – the subject matter/reading is often advanced.
Suggested Credit: One full semester Government or Humanities
Instructor: Ed Rivet, MPA
Instructor Email: erivetii@gmail.com
Course Description: This course will expose students to the roots of various political philosophies and systems, including ancient democracies in Athens and Rome, as well as an in-depth review of socialism and communism. A highlight of this class is the study of Marx's Communist Manifesto, which challenges students to put economic and social justice into a political context. Critical thinking and essay writing are emphasized in this course.
Course Outline:
Week 1: Origins of Political Philosophy - Plato & Aristotle: Foundation for Western Democracy?
Week 2: English Political Philosophers – Hobbes, Locke, Mill & Acton
Week 3: French Political Philosophers – Descartes, Rousseau, & Voltaire
Week 4: Our Founders: Divine & Natural Law
Week 5: Karl Marx & the Foundation of Communism - The Communist Manifesto (Part 1)
Week 6: Karl Marx & the Communist Manifesto (Part 2)
Week 7: Socialism - In the eye of the beholder
Week 8: Athenian (Ancient Greek) Democracy
Week 9: Ancient Roman Democracy
Week 10: Modern Parliamentary Democracy
Week 11: Modern Theories of Just Societies: Distributism, Rawls' Theory of Justice, etc.
Week 12: Catholic Teaching & Principles
Course Materials: FREE online and printable resources provided by instructor.
Homework: Reading, quizzes, essay questions, and online research. Expect 2 to 3 hours each week on homework.
- Teacher: Edward Rivet