Politics and society
Peter Farago
8 points
* 3 hours per week
* First semester
*
Gippsland/Distance
* Prerequisites: GSC1503 and GSC1504 or
equivalents
Objectives Students should gain from this subject a clear and critical understanding of the classics of political philosophy, political science and the main debates in which contemporary thinkers are engaged regarding Politics, power, freedom, justice and citizenship.
Synopsis This subject introduces students to modern political philosophers such as Hobbes, Locke, Mill, Marx and Burke. These studies will be linked to theories developed in support of autocratic, totalitarian, republican and democratic institutions, processes of politics and government. The main approaches to modern political analysis; behaviouralism, pluralism, elitism and various forms of structuralism will be examined. The radical critics of modern society and politics, including feminists will be introduced. These will include Nietzsche, Oakshott, Foucault, Carole Pateman, Habermas and Althusser.
Assessment Short paper (1000 words): 20%
* Research essay (2000
words): 30%
* Examination (3 hours): 50%
Prescribed texts
Beilharz P (ed.) Social theory: A guide to central thinkers Allen and Unwin, 1991
Muschamp D (ed) Political thinkers Macmillan, 1986
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