Course Content and Outcomes Guides (CCOG)

CCOG for PHL 208 archive revision 202104

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Effective Term:
Fall 2021

Course Number:
PHL 208
Course Title:
Political Philosophy
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces and analyzes political theories and concepts through study of the works of major figures in the history of political philosophy from Plato to the present. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Articulate key philosophical arguments in the field of political philosophy.
  • Identify the influence of culturally based perspectives, values and beliefs to examine how diverse philosophical perspectives affect human experience.
  • Construct arguments on issues dealing with political philosophy using critical reasoning to identify and investigate philosophical theses and evaluate information and its sources.
  • Respond to arguments on issues dealing with political philosophy using critical reasoning to identify and investigate philosophical theses and evaluate information and its sources.

Integrative Learning

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to reflect on one’s work or competencies to make connections between course content and lived experience.

General education philosophy statement

Philosophy courses ask students to use critical thinking and reasoning skills in multiple ways: to identify the content, structure, and influence of beliefs, to examine how diverse philosophical perspectives affect human experience, and to construct and respond to arguments on a variety of philosophical issues. They encourage students to both create and understand their and others’ frameworks of meaning, and to use this new understanding in their own lived experience.

Course Activities and Design

The course will be conducted in both the standard classroom and distance learning settings.  It will involve lectures, discussions, and other assignments such as exams and papers.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assessment strategies will include some of the following:

  •  Essays in the form of in-class exams, short papers, and term papers
  • Short-answer exams
  • Student presentations 
  • Class and small group discussions
  • Portfolios
  • Service Learning projects
  • Attendance

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

The course will focus on some or all of the following topics and issues as they apply to philosophical concerns that arise in the political context:

  • Philosophical perspectives on politics
  • The contributions of significant philosophers (including but not limited to some of the following: Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Augustine, Hobbes, Locke, J. S. Mill, Thomas Jefferson, Marx, Engels, Lenin)
  • The philosophy of some of the following: the polis the cosmopolis utilitarian liberalism, contract theory, natural rights, civil rights, justice, individualism

Competencies and Skills:

Students will learn to:

  • Comprehend philosophical writings
  • Paraphrase. illustrate, and explain ideas contained in philosophical writings
  • Critique and challenge ideas within the scope of political philosophy
  • Write philosophically coherent arguments