Unit name | Texts in Modern Political Philosophy |
---|---|
Unit code | PHIL10027 |
Credit points | 10 |
Level of study | C/4 |
Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
Unit director | Dr. Finn Spicer |
Open unit status | Open |
Pre-requisites |
none |
Co-requisites |
none |
School/department | Department of Philosophy |
Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
The course will consider a key text in political philosophy from modern period (for example: Hobbes' Leviathon, Locke's Treatise on Government, Rousseau's Social Contract, or Mill's On Liberty) and engage with it philosophically.
Aims:
The unit aims to bring to life a seminal text in modern philosophy by engaging critically with its arguments. The unit aims to establish this work as philosophically interesting in its own right and of interest to contemporary political philosophers.
On completion of this course, students will:
(1) have a thorough knowledge of a key text from early modern philosophy.
(2) be familiar with some key secondary literature on this text, and be able to engage critically with it.
(3) be able to engage critically with the author's positions and arguments.
(4) be in a position to relate some key ideas in this text to modern philosophical debates.
One lecture (including time for interaction) per week.
One 2000-3000 word essay, from a list of questions designed to test intended learning outcomes (1), (2), (3) and (4).
The target text. At least one contemporaneous text. At least one modern introduction to the target philosopher/text.
Illustrative examples: