Philosophy, Politics and Economics

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject introduces students to the ways in which the disciplines of philosophy, politics and economics understand and respond to the challenges of organising a democratic society. It will consider issues such as justice, governments and markets in a way that will allow each discipline to present its distinctive approach. Topics covered will include: political power and legitimacy, the value of markets, justice and human rights, the importance and measurement of individual choice and well-being. Each topic will be explored in ways that allow students to engage in analysis and evaluation of areas of major public debate about how society should be organised.

Subject Objectives

Students who complete this subject should:

• have an understanding of how theoretical insights of the three disciplines can be applied to current political problems;

• understand the types of principles that are relevant to our thinking about social justice;

• understand the links between the disciplines of philosophy, politics and economics;

• be able to evaluate the role of the market in modern society;

• have an understanding of some of the main traditional and contemporary theories within the disciplines of philosophy, politics and economics.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Students who complete this subject should:

• understand a range of disciplines and methodologies appropriate to the texts, artefacts, theoretical structures and social practices with which they are concerned;

• have developed a capacity for critical thought and analysis through the construction and articulation of lucid, logical arguments;

• have developed oral and written skills through essay writing and tutorial participation;

• have acquired the tools for independent and targeted research, using library and other information services;

• have the ability to organise and manage their time through the planning of class assessments and the meeting of set due dates.