PHIL 728 : Political Philosophy 1

Arts

2021 Semester One (1213) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Discussion of selected topics in political philosophy.

Course Overview

In this course in 2021 we focus on issues concerning migration and justice. We analyze questions such as the following: If human beings have a right to freedom of movement or association, does this entail that they ought to be free to migrate and settle wherever they choose?  Does the commitment to the moral equality of all human beings mean that national borders should generally be open?   What responsibilities do we have to refugees seeking safe haven? What kinds of criteria may states permissibly use in formulating selection and citizenship policies? Does justice require regularizing the status of those who have been living in the state in ways deemed to be unlawful under certain conditions? Are there normative constraints on how destination countries may treat their “guest workers” from other countries and if so, what are they? May governments ever defensibly restrict out-migration, preventing its citizens from leaving the territory, as the Soviet Union once did?

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Master strategies for reading, analysing, and critically discussing key positions in the global justice literature, with special emphasis on migration justice. (Capability 1.1 and 2.1)
  2. Find, read, critically discuss and apply relevant texts concerning international justice problems particularly related to migration. (Capability 2.1)
  3. Engage in in current debates about key concepts and arguments concerning global justice positions (Capability 1.1, 2.1 and 4.1)
  4. Conduct post-graduate level research both independently and with others (Capability 2.1, 4.1 and 5.1)
  5. Research and present work orally and in writing and help guide others through core philosophical problems in constructive ways (Capability 2.2, 4.1 and 5.2)
  6. Construct and critically evaluate arguments on international justice matters, mindful of their cultural, historical, political and ethical dimensions (Capability 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Essay 60% Individual Coursework
Presentation 25% Individual Coursework
Discussions 15% Individual Coursework
I give students two choices about how they will be assessed.  Most students choose the option which I have outlined above.  More details about the options are as follows:

Option 1: One class presentation worth 25%, one essay worth 60%, class discussion worth 15%.

            OR

Option 2: One 6000 word essay worth 100%.  (A 15 minute short presentation is also a requirement of the course.  Failure to do the short presentation attracts a 5% penalty. If you choose Option 2 you must also do the early assignment. Failure to do the early assignment attracts a 5% penalty.)

Note: Option two accommodates some students desire to write a long essay, but also ensures that they keep up with work throughout the course as well.

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 2 hours of lectures, a 1 hour tutorial, 5 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 2 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including tutorials to receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will NOT be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars will not be available as recordings.
The course will not include live online events including tutorials.
Attendance on campus is required for the test.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Well-being always comes first
We all go through tough times during the semester, or see our friends struggling. There is lots of help out there - for more information, look at this Canvas page https://canvas.auckland.ac.nz/courses/33894, which has links to various support services in the University and the wider community.

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.

Published on 22/12/2020 04:46 p.m.