PHL2510 - Political philosophy

Leader(s): Toby Handfield

Offered

South Africa Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This subject introduces some central debates in contemporary political theory. The first third of the course examines some essential recent work on the liberal conception of justice and equality. The second part of the course looks at socialist, feminist and communitarian critiques of liberalism. The final third of the course is concerned with the foundations and limits of religious toleration and individual freedom in a multicultural society.
For more details, please see:
http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/philosophy/ugrad/units/phl2510.php

Objectives

Students successfully completing this subject will have an understanding of current debates over the core political concepts of justice, freedom and equality. Students will be able to formulate and analyse these issues in relation to the problem of inter-cultural tolerance in a pluralistic society.

Students at third year level will also have developed skills in independent research in political philosophy; a deeper and more thorough understanding of the issues covered in the unt; and a familiarity with a wider range of literature in political philosophy.

Assessment

Written work: 80%
Test: 20%

Contact hours

One x 90 minute lecture/week.
One x 1 hour tutorial/week.

Prerequisites

A first year sequence in Philosophy or Bioethics

Prohibitions

PHL3510

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/philosophy/ugrad/units/phl2510.php