Outline

Overview

This introductory unit of study presents students with fundamental concepts in philosophy and political science and shows how each discipline can help to inform the other. From this foundation, it examines real-world problems-such as climate change, migration, global governance, and First Nations reconciliation-that require an interdisciplinary lens for resolution. Emphasis is placed on enhancing critical thinking abilities and essay writing skills, empowering students to tackle multifaceted issues with rigour, intellectual depth, and creativity.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Social and Political Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	24 credit points of 1000-level UoS
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ryan Cox, ryan.cox@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Vafa Ghazavi, vafa.ghazavi@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Contribution	Class Participation n/a	10%	Ongoing	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Early Assessment Multiple Choice Quiz #earlyfeedbacktask	0%	Week 02 Due date: 15 Aug 2025 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Critical Reading Review n/a	40%	Week 07 Due date: 19 Sep 2025 at 23:59	2000wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Final Essay n/a	50%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59	2500wd	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

One 2000wd Critical Reading Review (40%)
One 2500wd Final Essay (50%)
Class Participation (10%)
Early Assessment Multi Choice Quiz (Early Feedback Task) 0%

Assessment criteria

HD	High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
DI	Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
CR	Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
PS	Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
FA	Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.
AF	Absent fail	0 - 49	When you haven’t completed all assessment tasks or met the attendance requirements.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

A penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work for every calendar day up to and including 10 calendar days after the due date.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Thinking like a political philosopher	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 02	Justice, the first virtue of social institutions	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Welfare, capabilities, desert, and entitlement	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Writing about (and solving!) real political problems	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	The politics of global justice and governance	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Being realistic about democracy	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Why democracy?	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Liberalism and community	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Liberty	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Prospects for liberal democracy	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Equality and egalitarianism	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Making democratic equality real: social capital and integration	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Becoming good citizens	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Topics from previous lectures	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Faculty policy could not be any clearer about attendance: “Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption.” There are 13 + 12 = 25 timetabled activities for this unit. You can only afford to miss 3 of them. Attendance will be taken at all timetabled activities. Exemptions will not be granted retrospectively. “It is each student’s responsibility to contact the relevant UoS Coordinator as soon as possible in the event of difficulties that interfere with their attendance and provide supporting documentation wherever possible.”

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

The textbook for this unit is:

Swift, Adam. 2019. Political Philosophy: A Beginners’ Guide for Students and Politicians, 4th Edition. Cambridge UK; Polity Press.

We strongly recommend that you buy a copy (a hard copy or an electronic copy).

We also recommend picking up a copy of:

Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. 2024. “They Say / I Say” : The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. Sixth edition. New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate an understanding of core concepts and principles in political philosophy and political science.
LO2. Understand how philosophy and political science can complement one another.
LO3. Analyse arguments about complex philosophical, political, social and economic issues.
LO4. Demonstrate effective critical reading and essay writing skills.
LO5. Apply creative interdisciplinary thinking to generate innovative ideas and solutions that address significant societal problems.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

BPPE1000: Introduction to PPE

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links