POLS244 Political Theory: Basic Problems

Overview

This paper studies important political thinkers from across a wide range of times, places, and social groups, bringing them into dialogue with present-day political theory and concerns.

This paper studies important political thinkers from across a wide range of times, places, and social groups, bringing them into dialogue with present-day political theory and concerns.

About this paper

Prerequisite

18 100-level POLS points

Restriction

POLS 101

Schedule C

Arts and Music

Contact

david.jenkins@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

david.jenkins@otago.ac.nz

Paper Structure

In this paper, students will study political thinkers from across a wide range of times, places, and social groups and bring them into dialogue with present-day political theory and concerns.

We will consider:

• the various purposes of politics;
• the challenges of achieving political order;
• the different meanings of political values like equality, right and justice;
• the prospects for changing the world.

Starting our journey over 2000 years ago in Ancient Greece, this course encompasses many of the great texts of political philosophy. Combining a close reading of these texts with an exploration of the different contexts within which they were written, students will gain familiarity with some of the key problems that have continued to challenge political theorists down to the contemporary world. We will think about different styles of political argument, and ask how – or indeed, whether – we can manage to live together amidst often considerable disagreements.

Taking this paper will (1) acquaint you with some of the core texts in the history of political thought, (2) help you identify ways in which they apply to our world and (3) develop your own original and critical political thinking.

Teaching Arrangements

2 x 50 min lectures per week for 13 weeks
10 x 50min tutorials per week for 10 weeks

Textbooks

Optional: The Broadview Anthology of Social and Political Thought, volume one, From Plato to Nietzsche.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Graduate attributes, Lifelong Learning, Communication, Information literacy, Critical thinking, Self-motivation, Ethics, Global perspective, Teamwork, Scholarship, Communication, Cultural understanding, Lifelong learning.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

• Analyze the historical development and changes that major concepts have undergone within political theory.
• Identify and evaluate the key contributions that political theorists have made within the major works of political theory from ancient Greece to the 20th century.
• Demonstrate an ability to engage with others in small discussion settings, with the opportunity to engage in constructive discussions, debates, and scenarios.
• Formulate and structure an argument in response to major political theorists’ contributions to the development of political thought.

Overview

This paper studies important political thinkers from across a wide range of times, places, and social groups, bringing them into dialogue with present-day political theory and concerns.

This paper studies important political thinkers from across a wide range of times, places and social groups, bringing them into dialogue with present-day political theory and concerns.

About this paper

Prerequisite

18 100-level POLS points

Restriction

POLS 101

Schedule C

Arts and Music

Contact

politics@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Dr David Jenkins

Paper Structure

In this paper, students will study political thinkers from across a wide range of times, places and social groups and bring them into dialogue with present-day political theory and concerns.

We will consider:

• The various purposes of politics.
• The challenges of achieving political order.
• The different meanings of political values like equality, right and justice.
• The prospects for changing the world.

Starting our journey over 2000 years ago in Ancient Greece, this course encompasses many of the great texts of political philosophy. Combining a close reading of these texts with an exploration of the different contexts within which they were written, students will gain familiarity with some of the key problems that have continued to challenge political theorists down to the contemporary world. We will think about different styles of political argument, and ask how, or indeed, whether, we can manage to live together amidst often considerable disagreements.

Taking this paper will (1) acquaint you with some of the core texts in the history of political thought, (2) help you identify ways in which they apply to our world and (3) develop your own original and critical political thinking.

Teaching Arrangements

2 x 50-minute lectures per week for 13 weeks.

10 x 50-minute tutorials per week for 10 weeks.

Textbooks

Optional: Bailey, A., Brennan, S., Kymlicka, W., Levy, J. T., Sager, A., & Wolf, C. (Eds). (2008). The Broadview Anthology of Social and Political Thought-Volume 1: From Plato to Nietzsche. Broadview Press.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised

Global perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Cultural understanding, Ethics, Information literacy, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.

Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the paper will:

• Analyse the historical development and changes that major concepts have undergone within political theory.
• Identify and evaluate the key contributions that political theorists have made within the major works of political theory from ancient Greece to the 20th century.
• Demonstrate an ability to engage with others in small discussion settings, with the opportunity to engage in constructive discussions, debates and scenarios.
• Formulate and structure an argument in response to major political theorists’ contributions to the development of political thought.