Martha Nussbaum : Courses and Seminars
Feminist Philosophy
LAWS 47701
The course is an introduction to the major varieties of philosophical feminism: Liberal Feminism (Mill, Wollstonecraft, Okin, Nussbaum), Radical Feminism (MacKinnon, Andrea Dworkin), Difference Feminism (Gilligan, Held, Noddings), and Postmodern "Queer" Feminism (Rubin, Butler). After studying each of these approaches, we will focus on political and ethical problems of contemporary international feminism, asking how well each of the approaches addresses these problems.
Undergraduates may enroll only with the permission of the instructor.
Spring 2013
Martha Nussbaum
Global Inequality
LAWS 92403
Global income and wealth are highly concentrated. The richest 2% of the population own about half of the global assets. Per capita income in the United States is around $47,000 and in Europe it is around $30,500, while in India it is $3,400 and in Congo, it is $329. There are equally unsettling inequalities in longevity, health, and education.
In this class, we ask what duties nations and individuals have to address these inequalities and what are the best strategies for doing so. What role must each country play in helping itself? What is the role of international agreements and agencies, of NGOs, and of corporations in addressing global poverty? How do we weigh policies that emphasize growth against policies that emphasize within-country equality, health, or education?
In seeking answers to these questions, the class will combine readings on the law and economics of global development with readings on the philosophy of global justice. A particular focus will be on the role that legal institutions, both domestic and international, play in discharging these duties. For, example, we might focus on how a nation with natural resources can design legal institutions to ensure they are exploited for the benefit of the citizens of the country.
Students will be assessed via a substantial research paper and class participation.
Non-law students are welcome but need permission of the instructors, since space is limited.
Winter 2013
Martha Nussbaum, David A. Weisbach
Greenberg Seminar: The Book of Revelation and Literature It Has Inspired
LAWS 95902
The Apocalypse of John (also called by other names, such as the Revelation and the Revelation of Jesus Christ), the last book of the New Testament, is itself a splendid work of literature (and the subject of an excellent recent study by Elaine Pagels) and, as important, the inspiration of a fascinating literary, artistic, and even musical (e.g., "Battle Hymn of the Republic") tradition that includes works ranging from Paradise Lost to classics of science fiction by such writers as E. M. Forster, H. G. Wells, Kurt Vonnegut, and Margaret Atwood and to popular fiction such as the "Left Behind" series. In the seminar we will read works and selections of works in the tradition inaugurated by the Apocalypse of John for the literary, ethical, religious, and epistemological contributions of these works.
Students wishing to register should email a short statement of interest to both professors, by September 14, including their background in relevant areas and the reasons for their interest in the seminar.
This seminar is capped at 15. 12 seats will be allocated to J.D. students and 3 to LL.M. students.
Graded Pass/Fail.
Autumn 2012
Richard A. Posner, Martha Nussbaum
