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Individual Course

Justice

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Course Length

12 weeks

3-6 hours a week

Featuring faculty from:

Harvard Kennedy School LogoHarvard Kennedy School

Enroll as Individual

Certificate Price:

$ 209

Enroll on edX

Enroll as Individual

Certificate Price:

$ 209

Enroll on edX

Join Harvard professor Michael Sandel in this course that explores critical analysis of justice theories, including discussion of present-day applications.

Taught by lauded Harvard professor Michael Sandel, Justice explores critical analysis of classical and contemporary theories of justice, including discussion of present-day applications. Topics include affirmative action, income distribution, same-sex marriage, the role of markets, debates about rights (human rights and property rights), arguments for and against equality, dilemmas of loyalty in public and private life. The course invites learners to subject their own views on these controversies to critical examination.

The principal readings for the course are texts by Aristotle, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, John Stuart Mill, and John Rawls. Other assigned readings include writings by contemporary philosophers, court cases, and articles about political controversies that raise philosophical questions.

Self-Guided

EDX

  • Davis N.

Harvard Case Method Premium Learning

Learning Outcome

An understanding of social justice and criminal justice, and the roles they play in the modern justice system

Learning Outcome

A deeper sense of the philosophy that underlies modern issues such as affirmative action, same sex marriage, and equality

Learning Outcome

The ability to better articulate and evaluate philosophical arguments and ask philosophical questions

  • Learn from Harvard faculty
  • Do it on your own time
  • Get a certificate, add it to your resume
  • Be part of the Harvard Community
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Faculty

Your Instructor

Michael J. Sandel

Michael J. Sandel is the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University, where he teaches political philosophy. His course "Justice" has enrolled more than 15,000 Harvard students. Sandel's writings have been published in 21 languages.

I really have enjoyed learning about Legal Justice with Harvard University and would like to encourage my friends out there to visit HarvardX to have the same knowledge I have had from Harvard. Thank you!
Davis N.
An example HarvardX certificate

Ways to take this course

Audit or Pursue a Verified Certificate

A Verified Certificate costs $209 and provides unlimited access to full course materials, activities, tests, and forums. At the end of the course, learners who earn a passing grade can receive a certificate.

⁠Alternatively, learners can Audit the course for free and have access to select course material, activities, tests, and forums. Please note that this track does not offer a certificate for learners who earn a passing grade.

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