Course syllabus

Politics 249: Freedom and Limits of State Action

SEMESTER 2, 2018

15 points

 The course SYLLABUS tells you what the topics are, what coursework you will need to do, and by when, and what you will need to read. You can find it under Files. It is called Pol 249 syllabus.doc.

Course Convenor: 

Martin Wilkinson - m.wilkinson@auckland.ac.nz

Course delivery format:

2 hours of lectures and 1 hour of tutorial

(Timetable and room details can be viewed on Student Services Online)

Course Description:              

What should the state do and what should it keep out of? We begin with anarchism and work our way through public goods, political obligation and the rule of law. We ask what it means to be free and autonomous, and we analyse the threats of coercion, force and manipulation. We consider whether our freedom conflicts with economic redistribution. We ask whether our rights over our bodies extend past our deaths - should people’s organs be conscripted for transplantation once they are dead and no longer need them? And what if people are free but wrong? Should we let them go to hell in their own way? We analyse paternalism and rational decision-making, and apply it to addictive drugs and the state’s attempts to improve our lives.

This is a political theory course that draws on ethics, law, psychology, economics and public policy.

Assessment:

Two essays, each worth 25% of the total.

Exam: 2 hour exam – 50% of total marks

Coursework consists of two essays and constitutes 50% of total marks.

Essays should be:

• no longer than 1500 words including references, notes, bibliography etc.
•  +\- the usual 10%.
• Hand them in at the ARTS STUDENT CENTRE by the due time.

The due times are:

Essay 1 4pm Friday 24^th August

Essay 2 4pm Friday 28^th September

Essays must be submitted on paper AND through Turnitin via CANVAS.

Late coursework: procedures and penalties as per the Coursework Guide. If you fear you may hand an essay in late, TELL ME EARLY. No, really – TELL ME EARLY.