What's happening in America? In this course we'll explore major themes in current U.S. politics and culture, asking philosophical and historical questions that let us get under the headlines. We will learn how to understand and discuss major issues of the day like immigration and asylum, recreational and prescription drugs, reproductive rights, freedom of speech and religion, vaccines, gender expression, and the right to vote. How do human values and emotional orientations inform our political positions? What authorities can be trusted and how do we recognize them? What role do students play in social change? How do we decide what's true, or right, or fair, and how do we engage with people whose beliefs diverge from ours? Throughout, we'll listen for the impulse to create safety by quashing dissent, and ask what promotes genuine freedom to disagree.Philosophy and Critical Theory (PHCRT) courses focus on developing critical reading and thinking skills, with an emphasis on learning to frame and explore meaningful questions. Students consider multiple perspectives and claims in the process of formulating independent, well-founded opinions.

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