Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Notes

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/ATS3869.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%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Pieter Duvenage

Contact hours

One 1-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial per week

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Human rights theory
Philosophy
European and European Union studies

Prerequisites

Either a first-year Philosophy sequence or a first year sequence in Human Rights Theory

Prohibitions

ATS2869