Modern Political Philosophy, 7.5 Credits

Contents

Political philosophy is the study of the nature and justification of coercive institutions. Central to this justification are the questions "who gets what?" (the question of distributive justice), "who gets to say so?" (the question of authority and legitimacy), and "how can we ensure that a just state, once established, can maintain itself?" (the question of stability). In this course we explore a variety of answers to these questions, developed by prominent philosophers in the last half century. The course focuses on primary texts by representatives of the most influential positions in the field, thereby developing an overview of the field as that developed since Rawls' publication of his landmark work A Theory of Justice (1971). Students learn what is distinctive about approaches such as Rawlsian Liberalism, Libertarianism, Communitarianism, Feminism, Perfectionism, Egalitarianism, the Capability Approach, and Republicanism.  

Expected learning outcomes

After having completed the course students will

Knowledge and understanding: 

• have knowledge and understanding of the most influential positions in modern political philosophy, 
• have understanding of the main strengths and weaknesses of central theories and arguments in the political-philosophical debate, 

Skill and ability: 

• have the ability to understand and analyze primary texts in modern political philosophy, 
• have the ability to reproduce and assess the validity of political-philosophical argumentation, 
• have the ability to write a well-structured argumentative political-philosophical text of good linguistic quality. 

Assessment and attitude: 

• have the ability to critically reflect about central questions in contemporary political philosophy. 

Required Knowledge

Political philosophy 7,5 ECTS credits or equivalent. 

Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6. 

Form of instruction

The course consists of lectures and seminars. It is primarily seminar-based. If the course is given online, the teaching and student activities will be internet-based. 

Students are required to have access to a computer and a stable internet connection. 

Examination modes

The examination consists of written assignments (where multiple choice tests also count as written assignments) and active participation in seminars. On the course as a whole, the grades given are Fail (U), Pass (G), or Pass with Distinction (VG). In order to pass the course as a whole, all mandatory parts must be passed as well. The final grade of the course is a summary assessment of the results. 

Students who fail the examination have a right to retake the examination within two months after the first examination, but not earlier than 10 working days after the results from the original examination has been given to the students. A re-exam must be offered once again within a year. A student who has passed an examination may not be re-examined.   

If examinations or compulsory learning sessions cannot be repeated in accordance with current rules for re-examination, they may be replaced by other forms of assignments. The extent and content of such an assignment shall be in proportion to the missing compulsory sessions.   

Deviations from the examination form of the syllabus can be made for a student who has decisions on pedagogical support due to disability. Individual adaptation of the examination form should be considered based on the student's needs. The examination form is adapted within the constraints set by the expected learning outcomes stated in the syllabus. At the request of the student, the teacher responsible for the course, in consultation with the examiner, must quickly decide on the adapted examination form. The decision should then be communicated to the student.  

In the event that the syllabus expires or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the regular examination) according to the regulations of the syllabus on which the student was originally registered for a maximum period of two years from the end of the previous syllabus or the course has ceased to be offered.