Introduction to Western Political Thought (9549.1)

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.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems

Skills development

Introduction to Western Political Thought has five Learning Outcomes (LOs). Students successful in achieving these LOs will contribute to their development of five distinct Graduate Attributes (GAs). 

This first year unit, offered online, has three assessments - each supported by criteria and rubrics that have been mapped to the LOs and GAs. Introduction to Western Political Thought can, in this way, demonstrate the validity of its assessment design.

Further to this, each assessment addresses at least one of the Personal Attributes (PAs) that the University of Canberra requires students to develop. 

Details of how each assessment addresses LOs, GAs, and PAs can be found under Assessments in this Unit Outline.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

8296 Introduction to Politics and Government

Equivalent units

8296 Introduction to Politics and Government

Assumed knowledge

None.