Course syllabus
Description
This course covers a range of topics concerning the nature of society and the relationship between society and the individual, such as the following: What is the nature of community, the nature of democracy and the source of the citizen's obligations to obey the community's laws? What rights do people have? How are rights acquired? How do their rights affect how others should be treated? What principles of justice should our community adopt? Is there some way of identifying principles that all members of the community should endorse? What constitutes a free society? Under what circumstances, if any, are others justified in interfering in a person's liberty? (In addressing this question, we consider John Stuart Mill's account of the limits of legitimate social interference in individual freedom.)
Course objectives
- Provide an introduction to key concepts and major debates in contemporary social and political philosophy
- Develop students’ skills in reading, interpreting and critically assessing philosophical texts
- Enhance students’ capabilities in scholarly analysis, interpretation of evidence and presentation of reasoned arguments
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- Learning methods
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- Assessment information
- Advice on essay writing
- Class representatives
- Resources and recommended reading
Weekly Topics
Week 1: Introduction to political philosophy
Slides (23 July)
Weeks 2-3: What would happen without government?
Slides (29 July) | Slides (30 July) | Slides (5 Aug)
Week 3: Special lecture on writing philosophy essays
Recording only, no slides
Weeks 4-5: Should you obey political authorities?
Slides (12 Aug) | Slides (19 Aug)
Weeks 5-6: Who should rule?
Slides (20 Aug) | Slides (26 Aug) | Slides (27 Aug)
Weeks 7-8: When is state power over individuals legitimate?
Slides and notes (16 Sept) | Slides and notes (17 Sept)
Slides and notes (23 Sept) | Panel discussion - recording only, no slides
Weeks 9-10: What are rights and what are they good for?
Slides and notes (30 Sept) | Slides and notes (1 Oct)
Slides and notes (7 Oct) | Slides and notes (8 Oct)
Weeks 11-12: What does justice require?
Slides and notes (14 Oct) | Slides and notes (15 Oct)
Slides and notes (21 Oct) | Slides and notes (22 Oct)
Course summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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