Admission requirements
Admission to this course is restricted to MA students in Philosophy 60 EC, specialisation Philosophical Perspectives on Politics and the Economy.
Description
This is a course in analytical political philosophy on the political values of freedom and equality. It deals mainly with modern-day discussion of these values, supported from time to time by an examination of classic discussions of these questions by, among others, Karl Marx, John Stuart Mill, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Thomas Hobbes. It considers not only the values individually but their relation to one another and how far they are conflicting or incommensurable.
Course objectives
This course aims to:
give students a familiarity with the concepts of freedom and equality, and their embedding in different political theories as core values and as principles guiding political action;
acquaint students with key writings on freedom and equality, including but not limited to the treatment of these values by modern political philosophers.
Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of:
- the concepts of freedom and equality.
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
paraphrase, interpret, reproduce and criticise the use made of freedom and equality in philosophical writing and in wider political contexts;
display a knowledge of the history of these concepts, and their responsiveness to wider technical, political and cultural change;
distinguish ideological and analytical appraisals of these concepts and their politically contentious interrelation.
Timetable
See: MA Philosophy 60 EC
Mode of instruction
- Seminars
Class attendance is required.
Course Load
Total course load (10 EC x 28 hrs): 280 hours
Attending lectures and seminars (13 × 3 hours): 39 hours
Preparation of classes and study of literature: 146 hours
Preparation of mid-term essay: 45 hours
Preparation of final essay: 50 hours
Assessment method
Mid-term essay of 2,000 words
Final essay of 2,500 words
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determination of the weighted average of several subtests
Mid-term essay (40%)
Final essay (60%)
Resit
One resit will be offered, covering the entire course content and consisting of an essay. The grade will replace previously earned grades for subtests. Students who have obtained a satisfactory grade for the course cannot take the resit.
Exam review
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used:
to give readings for subsequent seminars
to exchange information and ideas regarding the course material
to circulate materials relevant to the course.
Reading list
Will Kymlicka, Contemporary Political Philosophy 2nd edn. (Oxford 2002).
Jerry Gaus, Political Concepts and Political Theories (Westview 2000).
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available on the website
Students are strongly advised to register in uSis through the activity number, which can be found in the timetables for courses and exams.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
Remarks
Not applicable.