GOVT3664: Semester 2, 2026

Units GOVT3664 Semester 2 2026 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

GOVT3664: Key Concepts in Political Thought

Semester 2, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

What enables us as political animals to live together in political communities This unit examines key concepts underpinning our contemporary political life handed down to us through centuries of political thought; from the Athenian city-state to contemporary reflections on identity. Some of the concepts and problematiques explored may include: the state; sovereignty; the political; liberty; property; the citizen vs. the subject, reasons vs. the passions.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Government and International Relations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points at 2000 level in International Relations or 12 credit points at 2000 level in Politics or 12 credit points at 2000 level in Philosophy or 12 credit points at 2000 level in History and Philosophy of Science or 12 credit points at 2000 or 3000-level from Government and International Relations
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	GOVT2616
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Vafa Ghazavi, vafa.ghazavi@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Portfolio or journal	Reading and civic life journal Reflective writing task	30%	Week 09 Due date: 11 Oct 2026 at 23:59	2000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Final essay Political theory essay	60%	Week 13 Due date: 08 Nov 2026 at 23:59	2500 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Weekly questions Weekly questions based on close reading of primary texts; submitted in class	10%	Weekly	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a Credit a good standard, and a Pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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.

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	Political theory in a broken world	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Shklar: Whither utopia	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Constant: Freedom I	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Berlin: Freedom II	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Pettit: Freedom III	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Young: Structural injustice I	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Young: Structural injustice II	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Young: Structural injustice III	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Young: Structural injustice IV	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Anderson: Private government I	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Anderson: Private government II	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Anderson: Private government III	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Unger: Political theory for the future	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	As per lecture	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend a minimum of 90 percent of timetabled activities for a unit of study. This includes both lectures and tutorials, with attendance being noted at both.

It is important to come to classes well prepared, having done the required readings.

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

All readings for this unit can be accessed via Canvas.

However, if possible, it is suggested that you obtain your own copy of the following texts:

Iris Marion Young, Responsibility for Justice (2011).
Elizabeth Anderson, Private Government (2017).

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. Analyse and critique works of political theory on key concepts such as freedom, virtue, justice, equality, and the common good.
LO2. Develop deep, reflective reading skills in relation to primary texts in political theory.
LO3. Demonstrate how political theory can illuminate aspects of contemporary life.
LO4. Build the capability to engage constructively and deliberatively with different perspectives on key concepts in political thought.
LO5. Develop and articulate compelling normative arguments.

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 unit has been significantly updated since it was last offered.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

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