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Unit of study_

PHIL4107: Social and Political Philosophy

This unit will deepen understanding of core issues in social and political philosophy. Possible topics include social and political justice, the state, freedom, the nature of social and political norms and obligations, rights and human rights, inequality, social and political violence, selfhood in social and political contexts, democratic theory, and social and political justice.

Details

Academic unit Philosophy
Unit code PHIL4107
Unit name Social and Political Philosophy
Session, year
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Semester 1, 2023
Attendance mode Normal day
Location Remote
Credit points 6

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions
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None
Prerequisites
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None
Corequisites
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None
Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff and contact details

Coordinator Caroline West, caroline.west@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
1 x 5000 word research essay
100% Formal exam period
Due date: 06 Jun 2023 at 23:00
5000wd
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

1 x 5000 word research essay. Students may choose their own essay question, in consultation with the unit coordinator.

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.

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Free Speech: Its Nature, Value and Limits. See unit canvas site for detailed schedule of weekly topics and readings Seminar (26 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

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.

If a unit of study has a participation mark, your attendance may influence this mark. For more information on attendance, see https://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts/rules/faculty_resolutions_arts.shtml

 

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

See unit readings on Canvas

 

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 advanced understanding of latest philosophical methods
  • LO2. demonstrate in-depth understanding of the key texts, concepts, issues and positions in the relevant field of philosophical research
  • LO3. demonstrate advanced disciplinary competence in fundamental philosophical skills of conceptual analysis, critical thinking, logical reasoning and argument
  • LO4. communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely, in appropriate academic style

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
No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Here is the unit description for 2023:

In this unit, we will consider fundamental philosophical questions about the nature, value and limits of free speech. What is free speech? Why is it valuable? What types of interference with free flow of information make speech less free? When, and on what grounds, is it legitimate for the government or other authorities to restrict speech? Does a right to free speech include a right to spread disinformation and “fake news”? Does freedom of speech extend to hate speech? What, if any, duties and responsibilities might free speech impose on hearers?

 

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Work, health and safety

There are no specific WHS requirements for this unit.

Disclaimer

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

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