Political Science 307 presents a broad survey of the major political ideologies of modern times, situated within the context of their historical development. The course first examines the ideologies of capitalism, liberalism, and democracy followed by anti-liberal and anti-capitalist ideologies—conservatism, anarchism, utopianism, scientific Marxism, and nationalism.
The age of mass twentieth-century ideologies of contemporary liberal democracy, social democracy, Marxist-Leninism, and fascism and national socialism are then examined along with major ideologies and discourses from the Third World.
Finally, the course considers contemporary ideological currents, the search for community, post-materialism, post-modernism, and the new social movements—feminism and environmentalism.
In the study of a subject as contentious and complex as political ideologies, it is expected that students will disagree with some of the information presented. However, this course offers an intelligible examination of a highly charged subject that will stimulate students to conduct further research into the matters examined.