Overview
An exploration of the meaning of political authority and obligation, and an assessment of the possible permissions, duties and techniques that exist for people to resist injustice.
This paper uses the tools of normative political theory to explore questions relating to struggles for justice. Topics covered include the meaning of injustice, the grounds of legitimate authority, the limits of obedience, and duties of resistance. The paper also includes analysis of historical accounts of resistance, including indigenous movements against settler colonialism, the American civil rights movement, European labour movements and Women's Liberation.
About this paper
| Paper title | The Ethics and Politics of Resistance |
|---|---|
| Subject | Politics |
| EFTS | 0.1667 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2026 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,393.95 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 72 300-level points in POLS
- Restriction
- POLS 512
- Notes
- The prerequisite for students taking the subject Philosophy, Politics and Economics is 36 300-level POLS points.
- Contact
- Teaching staff
- Textbooks
There are no textbooks for this course. Readings will be based on papers and book chapters.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.- Learning Outcomes
By completion of this paper students will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with key debates within political theory, especially those pertaining to questions of authority and obligation and justifications for resisting what are perceived as illegitimate authority
- Produce independent research of a high quality, using combining analysis of complex normative issues with critical assessment of empirical data
- 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 and develop their organizational skills leading part of the weekly seminar
Overview
An exploration of the meaning of political authority and obligation, and an assessment of the possible permissions, duties and techniques that exist for people to resist injustice.
This paper uses the tools of normative political theory to explore questions relating to struggles for justice. Topics covered include the meaning of injustice, the grounds of legitimate authority, the limits of obedience and duties of resistance. The paper also includes analysis of historical accounts of resistance, including Indigenous movements against settler colonialism, the American civil rights movement, European labour movements and women's Liberation.
About this paper
| Paper title | The Ethics and Politics of Resistance |
|---|---|
| Subject | Politics |
| EFTS | 0.1667 |
| Points | 20 points |
| Teaching period | Not offered in 2027 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- 72 300-level points in POLS
- Restriction
- POLS 512
- Notes
- The prerequisite for students taking the subject Philosophy, Politics and Economics is 36 300-level POLS points.
- Contact
- Teaching staff
- Textbooks
There are no textbooks for this course. Readings will be based on papers and book chapters.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Interdisciplinary perspective, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Research.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.- Learning Outcomes
By completion of this paper students will be able to:
- Demonstrate familiarity with key debates within political theory, especially those pertaining to questions of authority and obligation and justifications for resisting what are perceived as illegitimate authority.
- Produce independent research of a high quality, using combining analysis of complex normative issues with critical assessment of empirical data.
- 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 and develop their organisational skills leading part of the weekly seminar.