This course focuses on the theme of "civil society" and how it relates to social capital and participation in the CED policy and practice arena. The purpose is to locate the concept of civil society in Smith, Marx and Weber, and make extended incursions into their respective studies of civil society. Armed with a familiarity with their original writings, students will be able to evaluate these references as well as draw their own. The course also seeks to historize the concept of civil society to further the analysis of its current conceptualizations and practice.