PSCI 241
Meritocracy
Spring 2019
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 eight of the country’s nine sitting Supreme Court Justices. 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: 19
Expected: 19
Class#: 3562
Grading: yes pass/fail option, no fifth course option
Limit: 19
Expected: 19
Class#: 3562
Grading: yes pass/fail option, no fifth course option
Requirements/Evaluation:
two papers, take-home final exam, class participation
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:
PSCI 241 Division II SOC 241 Division II
PSCI 241 Division II SOC 241 Division II
Attributes:
POEC Comparative POEC/Public Policy Courses
PSCI American Politics Courses
PSCI Comparative Politics Courses
PSCI American Politics Courses
PSCI Comparative Politics Courses
Class Grid
-
HEADERS
Column header 1
CLASSESColumn header 2DREQColumn header 3INSTRUCTORSColumn header 4TIMESColumn header 5CLASS#
-
PSCI 241 - 01 (S) SEM Meritocracy
PSCI 241 - 01 (S) SEM MeritocracyDivision IITF 1:10 pm - 2:25 pm
Hopkins Hall 400 (Rogers Room)3562 -
PSCI 241 - 01 (S) SEM Meritocracy
PSCI 241 - 01 (S) SEM MeritocracyDivision IITF 1:10 pm - 2:25 pm
Hopkins Hall 400 (Rogers Room)3562
Megamenu Social