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The study of politics focuses not only on how the political world operates, but also the normative question of how it ought to operate. Is redistribution of wealth justified? Do people have a right to what they earn in the market? Is equality of opportunity possible? Is it desirable? This course examines theories of distributive justice and their implications for economics and markets. Topics covered include: Utilitarianism; Rawls’s theory of justice; Dworkin’s equality of resources; Libertarianism; Universal basic income; Market socialism; Citizenship; and culture and politics.
Course GoalsAcademic aims: To foster a detailed critical understanding of a range of arguments in contemporary political philosophy, and the ability to criticise, evaluate, and apply these arguments.
Learning objectives: By the end of the module, students should be able to comprehend and critically analyse complex arguments from contemporary political philosophy, to provide a critical account of them, and to construct and defend their own sustained arguments about major political values.Learning methods: Lectures are meant to provide students with an overview of the various topics covered in the module, and the material presented in them is by no means to be considered exhaustive. Students are expected to do additional reading for lectures and especially for seminars. Seminars are an extremely important part of the module, and their value depends on students’ active participation in the discussion. This may involve group work and oral or written presentations to the rest of the class. Discussions in, and preparations for, seminars are essential for the understanding of the material in the lectures, and for extending this material.
PHIL236 or POLS201 or PHIL239 or B average in 45 points above 100 level in relevant subjects (e.g. PHIL, POLS, ECON, MSCI, LAWS, orSOCI) with approval of the Head of Department
POLS301, POLS351
POLS351, POLS301
Lindsey Te Ata o Tu MacDonald
Farrelly, Colin Patrick; Contemporary political theory : a reader ; SAGE, 2004.
Kymlicka, Will; Contemporary political philosophy : an introduction ; 2nd ed; Oxford University Press, 2002.
Library portalLearn Assignment Sheet Cover Academic Integrity Guidance for Staff and Students PDF document Referencing for Political Science Using EndNote for referencing Writing guides for Political Science
Essay boxes are located on the 5th floor Locke, outside the POLS office, Locke 501.
Domestic fee $1,340.00
International fee $5,700.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Humanities .