In this course we explored the central political, economic, and social ideologies of the modern world, including capitalism, socialism, communism, liberalism, populism, and nationalism. We asked what principles define these ideologies, how these ideologies intersect with democracy, and how they produce and require different meanings and understandings of key concepts such as freedom, equality, justice, and citizenship.

Starting with an extended focus on capitalism and liberal democracy, we investigated the origins and key beliefs of each ideology and thought about the pros and cons of various systems of governance and social control. Our goal was not to proclaim any one ideology as superior, but to more deeply understand different ways of thinking about politics and society that have shaped the past and present, and that offer us possibilities for the future. In the process, we became more reflective about and aware of their own convictions, and better able to articulate and defend such convictions in speech and writing with thoughtfulness, precision, insight, and persuasive force.

Course materials included excerpts from classic and contemporary political theory texts, as well as newspaper and magazine articles and film clips. We drafted and revised personal ideology statements and participated in debates in which we marshaled ideas from the sources studied to justify and defend our positions.

The course also included guest speakers representing various ideological positions.

Source: Columbia University Pre-School Programs