Justice, Democracy and Difference

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Total of 170 hours

Politics and International Studies at Undergraduate level

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 provides a critical examination of contemporary debates about ideas of justice, democracy and the politics of difference. The subject critically explores both the major liberal approaches to justice alongside critiques of liberal approaches by communitarian, socialist, feminist, postmodern and radical ecological theorists. Students will be introduced to the different perspectives on justice in terms of their linkages and, in some cases, increasing convergence with different approaches to dealing with democracy and difference. Particular emphasis is given to the tensions between cosmopolitan versus communitarian approaches to ordering political life and the tensions between arguments for individual versus group/communal rights. The different perspectives on justice, democracy and difference are analysed and applied in relation to a range of contemporary political conflicts concerning race, ethnicity, class, gender, the environment and the multicultural state. Examples include political claims for the recognition of ethnic minority rights, the political recognition of religious, ethnic and/or gender difference, the special or weighted political representation or veto rights of ethnic minorities, the different political interpretations of, and priorities accorded to, the human rights agenda and claims for self-determination by indigenous peoples and national minorities.

On completion of this subject students should:

• recognise and understand the major perspectives on justice in contemporary political thought (i.e., liberal, communitarian, socialist, feminist, postmodern, postcolonial and ecological);
• be able to understand the linkages and, in some cases, increasing convergence between different perspectives on justice and different approaches to dealing with democracy and difference (or political participation and recognition), manifest in the increasing interest in free political communication or 'dialogic justice';
• be able to identify and comprehend the key points of agreement and disagreement between each perspective, including the tensions between cosmopolitan and communitarian approaches and the contested debate over the fairness of individual versus 'group' or 'communal' rights;
• be able to relate the theoretical debates about justice, democracy and difference to contemporary political controversies, including political claims for the recognition of ethnic/cultural, religious, linguistic, gender and sexual difference. veto powers or special representation by ethnic minorities, the critique of universal human rights. and the case for self-determination and/or secession by indigenous peoples and national minorities.

An essay of 5000 words (100%) due during the examination period, OR two x 2,500 word essays (each worth 50%), the first of which is due mid-semester and the second due during the examination period.

Hurdle Requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to qualify to have their written work assessed. Regular participation in class is required.

Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• be able to apply research skills and critical methods to a field of inquiry;
• have developed persuasive arguments on a given topic;
• be able to communicate oral and written arguments and ideas effectively and articulately.