ATS3905 - Democratic theory - 2017

The idea of democracy is ubiquitous in the contemporary world - diverse regime types and institutional systems claim democratic credentials and democracy is widely accepted as the most legitimate system of government. But the ideal of 'rule by the people' is not easy to achieve, and faces particular difficulties in large-scale modern societies characterised by institutional complexity, pluralism/multiculturalism, and globalization. This unit considers what the ideal of democracy can mean in contemporary political life, and how (or whether) it can be institutionally achieved.

On successful completion of the unit, students will have:

1. Mastered basic and advanced concepts in democratic theory;
2. Acquired familiarity with the concepts and methodology of social choice theory;
3. Developed an understanding of the major theoretical difficulties involved in the ideal of democratic rule;
4. Be able to identify relevant literature for the purposes of scholarly work on the nature and justification of democracy;
5. Improved written and oral communication skills.
6. Undertaken independent research and reading in completing the assignments.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. A unit requires on average three/four hours of scheduled activities per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

See also Unit timetable information

Dr John Thrasher

Human rights

Philosophy

A cornerstone unit in Human Rights or twelve credit points of second-year Arts units

ATS2905