Introduction to Western Political Thought (9549.1)

Availability

Unit Outlines

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• Semester 1, 2017, ONLINE, BRUCE (166857) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 10, 2016, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (150148) - View
• Semester 2, 2016, ONLINE, BRUCE (150750) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 7, 2016, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (150539) - View
• Winter Term, 2016, ONLINE, BRUCE (152450) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 6, 2016, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (152785) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 5, 2016, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (152922) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 4, 2016, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (153023) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 3, 2016, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (153171) - View
• Semester 1, 2016, ONLINE, BRUCE (154072) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 2, 2016, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (153343) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 1, 2016, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (153463) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 12, 2015, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (138182) - View
• Summer Semester 2015/16, ONLINE, BRUCE (155461) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 11, 2015, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (138181) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 10, 2015, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (138180) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 9, 2015, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (138190) - View
• Flexible and Self Paced Period 8, 2015, SELF-PACED, BRUCE (138189) - View
• Semester 2, 2015, ONLINE, BRUCE (146355) - View

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Syllabus

This unit examines major texts in the history of political thought. Many of these texts pose difficult questions concerning the political community, social order, and human nature. This unit asks how different views on human nature and the uses of history inform the design of government. It also considers the ways in which thinkers like Plato, Machiavelli, and Rousseau have responded to the political problems of their times, and the ways in which they contribute to a broader conversation about human goods and needs, justice, democracy, and the ever-changing relationship between the citizen and the state.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Examine political thought through the Classical, Renaissance, and Enlightenment periods based on the works of Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Tocqueville, and Marx;

2. Compare and contrast the concepts of justice, freedom, equality, citizenship, and sovereignty in the works of Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau;

3. Explain the different versions of, and importance of, the state of nature to political thought;

4. Explain Karl Marx's worldview, with particular regard to his critique of democracy and the modern, politically liberal state; how it came to be; and its fundamental link to capitalism; and

5. Explain John Stuart Mill's theory on utilitarianism and how he applies it to society and the state.

Assessment Items

Contact Hours

150 learning hours in online self-paced mode.

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

Assumed Knowledge

NONE

Incompatible Units

8296 Introduction to Politics and Government

Equivalent Units

8296 Introduction to Politics and Government