“Justice: Ethical Reasoning in Polarized Times” – the legendary Gen Ed offering – has returned to Sanders Theatre this semester after more than a decade of online only availability.
Created by Michael Sandel, the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government, the course was originally launched in 1980 and became wildly popular for its format: guided student debate of the hottest issues of the day, informed by study of classictheories on moral decision-making.
“Justice” is one of the most popular courses taught at Harvard College – with more than 800 undergraduates enrolled – offering an introduction to moral and political philosophy and exploring critical analysis of classical and contemporary theories of justice, including discussion of present-day applications.
Students learn the fundamentals of political philosophy, absorbing a deeper sense of the philosophy that underlies modern issues such as affirmative action, same-sex marriage, and equality. They also develop the ability to better articulate and evaluate philosophical arguments and ask philosophical questions as well as gaining an understanding of social justice and criminal justice, and the roles they play in the modern justice system.
In 2009, a recorded version went on to become the first Harvard course freely available online – with more than 38 million watching the course on YouTube, and millions more on foreign language web platforms.
The Harvard Gazette covered the class in a recent article, noting that generations of Harvard graduates, including U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson ’92, J.D. ’96, and former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara ’90, have cited the impact the course had on their careers and lives.
The article goes on to include quotes from Michael Sandel as well as students enrolled in the course, highlighting the impact “Justice” has had on countless students of every generation.
Read the full article in The Gazette here.