Utopian Politics

Catalog description

This course examines the nature and function of utopian thinking and utopian communities. What is the value of utopian reflection? What forms of critical thinking and imaginative speculation does it enable? What are the limits to or dangers of utopian thought and practice? What kinds of challenges do utopian communities face? This course explores and critically assesses utopian and dystopian themes from recent and classic novels, political theory, science fiction, film, and popular culture. The course involves students in building model utopias that resolve major world problems.