Overview
A comprehensive exploration of the meaning and function of ideology, and a survey of the political ideologies that have shaped and continue to shape our world, including liberalism, socialism, anarchism, populism and conservatism.
A comprehensive exploration of the meaning and function of ideology, and a survey of the political ideologies that have shaped and continue to shape our world, including liberalism, socialism, anarchism, populism and conservatism.
About this paper
| Paper title | Political Ideas in Action |
|---|---|
| Subject | Politics |
| EFTS | 0.1500 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,040.70 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Restriction
- POLS 243
- Schedule C
- Arts and Music
- Contact
- Teaching staff
- Paper Structure
In politics, we are used to hearing people declare themselves nationalists, conservatives, liberals, socialists, anarchists, feminists, and, increasingly, populists. We are also used to hearing people use these same labels against their political opponents: Ideologies can both be things we adopt as accurate reflections of our most basic political commitments and as terms of abuse. Indeed, being described as ‘ideological’ is often a term of abuse – a word for obstinate and unthinking commitment to simplistic beliefs and positions. In this paper, we will ask whether – and why – ideologies might be regarded as important reference points for various actors – politicians, theorists, ordinary citizens, activists – wanting to make sense of politics. Each week we will survey the variety of ideologies that have shaped and continue to shape the world as we know it and develop an understanding of how ideologies function in political life at the institutional, cultural and individual levels. We will also evaluate the ways in which so many of our contemporary discussions of politics are conducted in terms of people’s ideological preferences.
- Teaching Arrangements
2 x 50 min lectures per week for 13 weeks
10 x 50min tutorials per week for 10 weeks- Textbooks
Textbooks are not required for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Global perspective, Scholarship, Communication. Information literacy, Self-motivation, Lifelong Learning.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.- Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will:
- Describe some of the key debates surrounding the meaning, use and application of ideologies, including the relevance of these debates for understanding contemporary politics.
- Describe and evaluate the different ways political actors use ideologies in practice.
- Demonstrate an ability to engage with others in small discussion settings, with the opportunity to engage in constructive discussions, debates, and scenarios.
- Apply their understanding and knowledge to wider, non-academic audience.