GOVT 83.33 ‘The Woke Mind Virus?’: Conservatism, Liberalism and American Culture Wars

By design or by default, many universities offer limited exposure to conservative ideas. These ideas are often overshadowed by the progressive perspectives that dominate the academic mainstream. This course aims to guide students through a critical exploration of conservative thought—its philosophical core, real-world policy implications, and cultural reverberations. By examining why these viewpoints exist, how they gather public support, and what criticisms they encounter, students will walk away equipped to engage the full breadth of ideological arguments on a broad set of divides.

We will examine both liberal and conservative viewpoints with a critical eye. The goal is not to attack or persuade but to reveal the ideological disagreements and positions that often go unchallenged on campus. Each weekly unit is intentionally provocative, aimed at pushing the boundaries of your critical thinking. While not all the works we read are considered academically rigorous (or even high quality), they offer valuable insights into arguments that shape public consciousness and the American political system.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:SOC

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.

Department-Specific Course Categories

Government