PSCI 241
Meritocracy Spring 2017
Division II
Cross-listed SOC 241
This is not the current course catalog

Class Details

Although an infinitesimal number of Americans have degrees from Harvard or Yale Universities, 33% of the top decision makers in the second Obama administration did. So do seven of the country’s eight sitting Supreme Court Justices (as of early 2016). Is this a positive sign that the United States is governed by its most talented and capable members who have risen through hard work and equal opportunity? Or a negative one pointing to the power of a corrupt and self-selecting elite? This course explores the theme of meritocracy — rule by the intellectually talented — in comparative perspective. We will look at both old and new arguments regarding the proper role and definition of merit in political society as well as take the measure of meritocracy in present-day Singapore, France, and the United States. The course concludes with a focus on the current debate over American meritocracy and inequality.
The Class: Format: seminar
Limit: 25
Expected: 20
Class#: 3665
Grading: yes pass/fail option, no fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation: two papers, take-home final exam, class participation
Extra Info: not available for the fifth course option
Prerequisites: none
Enrollment Preferences: Political Science and Sociology majors, first-years and sophomores intending a Political Science or Sociology major
Distributions: Division II
Notes: This course is cross-listed and the prefixes carry the following divisional credit:
SOC 241 Division II PSCI 241 Division II
Attributes: POEC Comparative POEC/Public Policy Courses
PSCI American Politics Courses
PSCI Comparative Politics Courses

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