PSCI 430(F) Senior Seminar in Political Theory: Just Work

Individuals living together in society, by their needs and their wants, create a variety of jobs. How is it to be decided who is to do what, and what each is to be paid? One prominent view is that the justice of work is chiefly a matter of free consent: so long as individuals agree to their jobs, both what they are paid and what they do is justified. But is consent really enough? And if not, what other standards complement or compete with consent? What would work have to be-other than a necessity-to merit our dedication and to warrant cultivating a work ethic? Can work be just, or are considerations about justice somehow immobilized when it comes to work? Does hard work make us happy, or is work basically a curse? The course considers these and other questions through readings in classic and contemporary political thought. Attention will be given to contemporary issues and to the historical experience of working women in the U.S. where these place considerations about the justice of work in sharp focus. Requirements: class participation, two 5-page papers and one 10-page paper. Prerequisites: three courses in political philosophy or philosophy, one of which is Political Science 232, and junior or senior standing. Enrollment limited to 15, with preference to senior political science majors. Qualified non-majors are welcome, if space permits.

Hour:  MUIRHEAD