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Unit of study_

PHIL3663: Justice

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit examines questions concerning social justice. It surveys influential theories of which institutions and social relationships are necessary for a just society. It provides students with an overview of liberal theories concerned with the values of freedom and equality. It critically reviews theories that attempt to reconcile the conflicting goals of creating a society of free citizens who also relate to one another as equals. Finally, the unit looks at questions of global justice. Practical topics may include: Is private education inegalitarian? What is distinctively wrong about colonialism? Does Justice require open borders? What do citizens in affluent nations owe the global poor?

Unit details and rules

Unit code PHIL3663
Academic unit Philosophy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
PHIL2663
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 2000 level in any combination of Philosophy or International Relations or Politics
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Luara Ferracioli, luara.ferracioli@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay feedback to peers
n/a
5% Week 05 500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Research essay
n/a
30% Week 06 1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Assignment Revision of research essay
n/a
30% Week 10 1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Short release assignment Assignment - short term release
n/a
35% Week 13
Due date: 31 Oct 2023 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3

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 2014 (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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

For more information see guide to grades.

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 Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to justice Lecture (2 hr)  
Week 02 Limitarianism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Limitarianism Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Sufficientarianism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Sufficientarianism Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Liberalism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Liberalism Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Republicanism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Republicanism Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 06 Colonialism Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Colonialism Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 07 Global Poverty Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Global Poverty Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 08 Immigration Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Immigration Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 09 Citizenship Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Citizenship Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 10 Climate Change Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Climate Change Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 11 Housing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Housing Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 12 Non-Ideal Theory Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Non-Ideal Theory Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 TBC Lecture (2 hr)  
TBC Tutorial (1 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Attendance: According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.
  • Lecture recording: Most lectures (in recording-equipped venues) will be recorded and may be made available to students on the LMS. However, you should not rely on lecture recording to substitute your classroom learning experience.
  • Preparation: Students should commit to spend approximately three hours’ preparation time (reading, studying, homework, essays, etc.) for every hour of scheduled instruction.

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.

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.

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

  • LO1. demonstrate a body of knowledge concerning social justice, and a firm grasp of the principles, practices, and boundaries of political philosophy
  • LO2. identify, define, investigate, and solve problems of social justice as they arise in real life
  • LO3. think independently, analytically and creatively about political questions.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Some changes were made since this unit was last offered. These changes were made so that Justice and Political Philosophy complement each other well and provide students with an excellent overview of the subfield of political philosophy.

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.