What originally started as an initiative involving primarily post-doctoral research associates has expanded in recent years, spawning a variety of programs for undergraduate and graduate students as well as an independent concentration that may eventually get formal approval from the College Curriculum Council.
The Political Theory Project unites scholars from the departments of political science, philosophy, economics and other disciplines to promote understanding of political theory on campus and encourage intellectual openness, according to Adam Tebble, its assistant director and lecturer in political science.
The project was started in 2003 by Associate Professor of Political Science John Tomasi, who now serves as the program's director.
The PTP originally involved a program for post-doctoral research associates interested in political theory and now includes four such associates who take part in Political Philosophy Workshops. These four individuals "pursue their own scholarly research, participate in various Project-sponsored events on campus and, most important, add an array of challenging new courses to the Brown undergraduate curriculum," according to the PTP Web site.
From its inception, the PTP incorporated multiple disciplines and was led mainly by Tomasi in political science and Professor of Philosophy David Estlund.
One of the main motivations for the project is to "invigorate political and intellectual life on campus," Tebble said. Another goal of the PTP is to encourage intellectual diversity and respect for multiple perspectives. "The more viewpoints the merrier," he added. "It is important to adopt openness when people are engaging politically, especially when it's a contested viewpoint."
Along with the post-doctoral program, the PTP also includes several programs for students and professors. For instance, the Janus Forum brings speakers representing a variety of viewpoints to campus to debate ideas and engage audience members in a non-confrontational manner. At Janus Forum lectures, "the emphasis is not on mud-slinging," Tebble said. Instead, "each side presents their view, rather than attacking each other."
Last month, the forum held its inaugural lecture, which tackled the issue of intellectual diversity on American campuses.
The Janus Forum was originally conceived by Jesse Maddox '08, who wanted to bring professors together to debate a range of issues. Maddox brought his idea for the forum to Tomasi last year and found it was similar to something Tomasi wanted to bring to the PTP.
"(Tomasi) said if you do this for me, I'll give you the funding," said Maddox, who now serves as executive director of the Janus Forum.
Maddox estimated that about 20 students now serve on the executive and steering boards of the forum and about 50 students participate in the Janus Conversations, a series of lectures and discussion meetings. The conversations help supplement the larger lectures and "gives students a chance to interact with professors," Maddox said.
The PTP also holds the Open Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, a bi-weekly luncheon open to undergraduates and faculty. These seminars "help foster the interdisciplinary side (of the program) and intellectual diversity," Tebble said.
In addition, the PTP sponsors an independent concentration in philosophy, politics and economics. The concentration, which has not yet been approved by the CCC, is "self-consciously interdisciplinary" and aims to address areas that span different disciplines, Tebble said. Work for the concentration also could end up including courses in sociology, religion and other departments.
The proposed concentration will draw mainly on courses that already exist, but it is designed to bring these classes together into a cohesive course of study, Tebble said.
A program of the same name exists at Oxford University, and there are similar programs at Harvard and Yale universities as well, Tebble said.
Tebble added that the mission of the PTP fits in perfectly with the goals of the proposed concentration.
"If you're going to talk intelligently about political science it seems reasonable that you would have an understanding of these other departments," he said. To this end, the PTP recently set up faculty associates, an arrangement that allows professors in various departments to be formally affiliated with the PTP.
Maddox said he believes the PTP can fill a void for some students at Brown who aren't necessarily exposed to a wide array of ideas.
"I think there's a lot of value to hearing others' opinions, especially when they're contrasted this way," Maddox said.
According to Tebble, the PTP is largely funded by external sources, including both foundations and individuals. Much financing comes in the form of donations from alums, and the PTP works with the University's Office of Development to coordinate these.
It is somewhat unclear what direction the PTP will take in the future. As the project continues to grow at a rapid pace, organizers will need to consider whether it will remain in the same form or possibly turn into something different, like a center, Tebble said.
"We just want to ensure we're a permanent feature so that students especially have the opportunity to be exposed to politics and creative ideas," Tebble said.
Maddox said he wants to further establish the PTP and the Janus Forum so that "in a couple years, every Brown student knows about" these resources.
