Contemporary American conservatism has evolved considerably from its historical roots in the ideologies of classical conservatism and classical liberalism. How did we get from Edmund Burke to Steve Bannon? From the Federalists to the Freedom Caucus? To gain insight into these questions, this course will explore how the aforementioned ideologies have intersected with four distinct traditions within American conservative thought: (1) libertarianism; (2) neo-conservatism; (3) white supremacism; and (4) evangelical Christianity. Analyzing the political logics of these ideological variants, and how they’ve converged and diverged in practice, will give us a better understanding of the political conjuncture in which we find ourselves.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will:
-engage in close readings of difficult theoretical texts
-hone their ability to analyze and synthesize material from these texts
-critically engage with contemporary conservative periodicals and thinkers, with a focus on identifying the ideological currents present in today's debates
Delivery Method: Fully in-person
Course Level: 2000-level
Credits: 4
M/Th 1:40PM - 3:30PM (Full-term)
Maximum Enrollment: 22
Course Frequency: Every 2-3 years
Categories: All courses , Fully In-Person , Politics
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