An overview of the course
In this course, we bring together scholarship from philosophy, politics and economics to study the philosophical underpinnings and social institutions of contemporary American society and the world in which it operates. Working across disciplinary boundaries, we examine scholarship that seeks to describe the liberties, freedoms and safeguards that promote human flourishing and that looks carefully at the roles played by market economies and political institutions in the construction of contemporary society.
One goal for the course is to prepare PPE majors to write their senior theses in the spring. Concrete work on the thesis is required at regular intervals throughout the term and the final project is a thesis prospectus. (Students from departments that do not require a thesis are invited to chat with us about a suitably modified assignment.) Another goal is to spend our sessions synthesizing work in the three disciplines of philosophy, politics, and economics. This year, our focus will be on inequality. We will ask what economists, philosophers, and political scientists have to say about inequality and how work in one area is related to that in the others.
The class
Syllabus
The syllabus (PDF) contains a schedule of topics for discussion, readings, and assignments. It also describes the standards for grades and other policies for the class.
Sakai
The best way for registered students to access the site is through Sakai. The Sakai site has links to everything you see here but it also has announcements and pdf files of the readings. When the term ends, the Sakai site will no longer be published but this site will still be here.
Contact
Eleanor Brown’s office is Carnegie 216. For Fall 2014, her office hours are Wednesdays 10:00-11:45 and Thursdays 2:30-3:45. Her department page has more information about her research and courses.
Michael Green’s office is Pearsons 207. For Fall 2014, his office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9-11. His home page has links to websites for his other courses.
Our email addresses and office phone numbers are available from the Pomona College directory: select Faculty/Staff and enter the name.