POLI 201
Western Political Heritage 1
Political Science
College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Course Description
Western civilization from Greek antiquity to Renaissance, primarily from perspective of political philosophy and scriptures; exploring fundamental questions in human experience; examining formative events in history; understanding value of important texts.
When taught
Contact Department
Min
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
3
Fixed
0
Note
Additional seats for specific sections may be available to Freshman Mentoring participants through envelopes. Also offered by BYU Independent Study; enroll anytime throughout year; one year to complete; additional tuition required; register at is.byu.edu.
Learning Outcome
Students will become familiar with the broad concerns and major authors of classical and medieval political thought.
Learning Outcome
Students will learn to explore the connections between ultimate political questions (Who should rule? For what purpose? What is the best institutional form of government?) and the deepest moral, philosophical, and religious questions concerning the best way of life and the nature of things.
Learning Outcome
Possess a command of sacred texts and doctrines gained by completing the University's religion course requirements.
Learning Outcome
Students will come to understand both the alliance and the tension between Greek political philosophy and the Bible friends. They will be conversant with the questions: should reason rule in politics, or must we rely on an authority beyond reason? Can we be loyal to the kingdom of God and at the same time good citizens of our earthly city?
Learning Outcome
Be able to articulate principles of faith in political analysis.
Learning Outcome
Students will learn to think critically about our Western ideals of democracy and human rights, and about their implications for our understanding of higher education, particularly in a Latter-day Saint university.
Learning Outcome
Demonstrate a familiarity with each of the four major subfields of political science: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political philosophy.
Learning Outcome
Students will begin to learn to think critically about the assumptions underlying the modern world as a whole, to consider our ruling dogmatic beliefs, to ask what is good and what is not about the social and political world we inhabit and its definition of success.
Learning Outcome
Possess a factual and theoretical knowledge of countries, political processes, political theories, and political thought.
Learning Outcome
Students will show improved ability to think about texts by writing about them.
Learning Outcome
Write professional grade research papers on political science questions.
Learning Outcome
Students will develop the ability to summarize a complex argument from a literary or philosophical text.
Learning Outcome
Think critically, analytically, and synthetically.
Learning Outcome
Students will be able to articulate and begin to answer challenging questions addressing the place of faith and intellect in the good life.
Learning Outcome
Participate effectively in political processes by having an appropriate knowledge of international and national politics and political thought.
Learning Outcome
Want to serve the communities and organizations to which they belong.
