Introduction to Political Ideas

Subject POLS10003 (2016)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2016.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 1 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Semester 2, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 25-Jul-2016 to 23-Oct-2016
Assessment Period End 18-Nov-2016
Last date to Self-Enrol 05-Aug-2016
Census Date 31-Aug-2016
Last date to Withdraw without fail 23-Sep-2016


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 35 Contact Hours: 1 x two hour lectures and 1 x one hour tutorial per week for 12 weeks. No tutorials in Week 1.
Total Time Commitment:

Total 170 hours

Prerequisites: None
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Coordinator

Dr Clayton Chin

Contact

clayton.chin@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

An accessible survey of the most important concepts and ideas in political thinking since Confucius and Plato, with particular attention to the major schools of Western political thought from Machiavelli to contemporary political theory. Emphasis will be on concepts such as sovereignty, power, liberty, and equality, and how these concepts are taken up in ideological formations, which include (but is not necessarily limited to) liberalism, Marxism, anarchism, and conservatism. Tutorial discussion focuses on eleven primary source texts of famous political essays, which may include: Machiavelli, 'The Prince', Rousseau, 'Origin of Inequality', Marx and Engels, 'The Communist Manifesto', Mill, 'On Liberty', Goldman, 'Anarchism', and Fanon, 'The Wretched of the Earth'.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this subject students should:

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of key political concepts, including concepts such as power, sovereignty, liberty, equality, and society;
  • Critically apply key political concepts to the study of political ideas, including the way political ideas are articulated in ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and anarchism;
  • Develop an understanding of how political concepts and ideologies influence debates in domestic and international politics;
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge sufficient to evaluate key approaches to the study of politics, including historical, scientific, and material approaches to political science;
  • Recognize the importance of ethical claims in the way political concepts and ideologies operate in framing right and wrong;
  • Communicate effectively in written formats.

Assessment:

An essay of 500 words (12.5%) due in Week 4.

A research essay of 2000 words (50%) due in Week 9.

A 1500 word take home exam (37.5%) due during the examination period.


Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Note: 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.

Prescribed Texts:

A subject reader will be available.

Recommended Texts:

A. Heywood, Political Ideologies, (5th ed.), 2012.

S. Wolin, Politics and Vision, (expanded edition), 2006.

Breadth Options:

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

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.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Notes:

Available as a Breadth subject to non-Bachelor of Arts students

Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: Graduate Certificate in Arts - Politics and International Studies
Graduate Diploma in Arts - Politics and International Studies
Political Science Major
Politics and International Studies
Related Breadth Track(s): Politics and International Studies

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