Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2022 - POL 411 D100

Normative Political Theory (4)

Class Number: 5108

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 10 – Apr 11, 2022: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 14, 2022
    Thu, 11:59–11:59 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    POL 210 or 312 or 313; or permission of the department.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Advanced seminar examining selected themes, debates and texts in recent normative political philosophy, with an emphasis on contemporary democratic theory.

COURSE DETAILS:

Description

This seminar pursues two objectives simultaneously. The first is to survey some of the major contributions to the normative debate on democracy and diversity. Topics in this debate include national identity, territory, language, multiculturalism and religion. The second objective is to showcase a diversity of ways of doing normative political theory. Normative political theory is concerned with abstract principles and political values, but these principles and values are not disconnected from real world problems and policy issues. The debate on democracy and diversity is a rich terrain for exploring the status and role of contextual facts in normative theorizing.

This course is combined with POL 814.


Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Quizzes 10%
  • Presentation 15%
  • Short Papers 30%
  • Final Paper or Final Exam 30%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All materials will be available online on Canvas or the SFU Library.


Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2022

Teaching at SFU in spring 2022 will involve primarily in-person instruction, with safety plans in place.  Some courses will still be offered through remote methods, and if so, this will be clearly identified in the schedule of classes.  You will also know at enrollment whether remote course components will be “live” (synchronous) or at your own pace (asynchronous).

Enrolling in a course acknowledges that you are able to attend in whatever format is required.  You should not enroll in a course that is in-person if you are not able to return to campus, and should be aware that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who may need class or exam accommodations, including in the context of remote learning, are advised to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112) as early as possible in order to prepare for the spring 2022 term.