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PSCI 226Modern Political Thought

Units
0.50
Faculty
Arts
Subject
Political Science

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: not on the schedule. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

Where do contemporary ideas about political obligation, equality, freedom, and justice originate? By studying some of the most influential texts in Western political theory that emerged from the 1500s to the 1800s, students will consider such concepts as social contract theory (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau), personal liberty (Mill), and structural-institutional critiques (Marx).

Prerequisites

  • Complete 1 of the following
    • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
      • CLAS225 - Classics in Political Thought (0.50)
      • PSCI100 - Power, Politics, and Policy: An Introduction (0.50)
      • PSCI150 - Introduction to Global Politics (0.50)
      • PSCI225 - Classics in Political Thought (0.50)
    • Must have completed the following:

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

Reviewed on UW Flow

63% liked it31% easy75% useful

From 8 ratings and 2 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Please please please do not take this course with Drake unless you like getting mid 70s.

    Apr 2023 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Really difficult course. Tons of readings, tons of theory. Really difficult exams and tests, and huge paper.

    Apr 2014On UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

4 posts and comments in 3 threads mention PSCI 226, February 2020 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2024

Anna Drake and PSCI 226 1 point, 2 comments

u/Altruistic-Okra814: “Have Anna Drake for psci226 and have heard many different thoughts on the professor and course. Do you know how the professor is and if the course is a good choice for a chill semester”

u/Cold_Cry7791: “I had her for PSCI 226 recently, she's a fine lecturer but grades papers quite harshly. I ended up in the mid 70s, and found PSCI 225 much easier.”

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Winter 2021

Thanks for the memeries 66 points, 4 comments

u/Frabbit: “… Hull DAC300 (Digital Photography) w/ Aynur Kadir PSCI225 w/ Christopher Bennett (following PSCI226 with Anna Drake was such a letdown after this) Well, if you're still reading, thanks and I hope you got something out of this, even if just a slight smile. …”

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Winter 2020

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar