Kieran Aarons

This course will approach the art of critical thinking and writing through the study of social and political philosophy. Readings will confront us with a wide range of positions for and against democracy, from Ancient Athens to current-day social movements. Our focus will be on recognizing and assessing their core arguments, discussing them critically together, and translating our conclusions into persuasive academic-level essay writing. Is genuine democracy an impossible ideal, only suited to Gods? Can the state express the will of the people through the constitution, the vote, and other procedures of public discourse, or is democracy best conceived as an anarchic force that challenges all institutional authority? Are “the people” the sum of individuals, a common power, or a potentially-criminal mob? Taking a stance on such debates will allow us to refine the skills essential to good essay-writing: summary, analysis, citation, organization and logical flow, but also suspense, effective use of stories and examples, and mystery. These skills form the necessary foundations for FYS II and upper-level Liberal Arts classes. Students can expect to produce 15-20 pages of scaffolded, revisable, formal writing that includes two essays as well as preparatory homework assignments and in-class writings. In-class workshopping of student papers should also be expected.

The term 'anarchism' derives from the Greek an-archia, non-rule, and describes the idea of a society without state, classes, or other forms of oppression and exploitation. However, anarchism is not only an idea, but also a practice: it names a political struggle for emancipation, an attempt to bring the idea of self-organization and solidarity into practice. We will begin by exploring a range of classical anarchist positions concerning the state, human nature, mutual aid, the family, and revolution. Readings will be drawn from classical theorists like Kropotkin, De Cleyre, and Goldman, as well as contemporary philosophers like Chiara Bottici. Reconstructing these debates will allow us to practice analyzing, synthesizing, and situating philosophical claims and political arguments, while formulating our own understanding of a diverse range of social problems. In the second half of class, we will also explore the utopian imagination of anarchist science fiction, including work by Le Guin and others. Applying theoretical frameworks to the analysis of literature will allow us to practice more sophisticated styles of writing and argumentation incorporating multiple sources, styles, and formats. Students can expect to produce 20-25 pages of scaffolded, revisable, formal writing, including two essays and an in-depth research project. In-class workshopping of student papers should also be expected.