Spring 2019 - PHIL 320 D100

Social and Political Philosophy (3)

Class Number: 3247

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 8, 2019: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of PHIL 120W (or equivalent), 121, 220, 221 or ENV 320W.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of an issue or selection of issues in social and political philosophy. Contemporary or historical readings or a mixture of these will be used. Possible topics include: justice, the law and legal systems, sovereignty, power and authority, democracy, liberty and equality. Sometimes the course will focus on the views of historically important political philosophers, such as Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Bentham, Mill and Marx.

COURSE DETAILS:

The State and the General Will

The most serious problems confronting humanity, ranging from trade to climate change to nuclear weapons, to the enforcement of human rights and the rights of indigenous peoples, transcend political boundaries. Yet everywhere we live in political states that jealously guard their sovereign rights. Is there anything to be said in support of the international order of states?

According to one view, states have a purely pragmatic justification; they are the only reliable way for individuals to acquire security in an indifferent world that threatens to decay into a war of all against all. There is, however, a strand of Western philosophy which holds that the state and its laws are not necessary evils but an essential medium for the realization of individual freedom. People are made free through their participation in a “general will”. We evaluate some variations of this intriguing idea by examining several of its historical defenders, including Rousseau, Kant and Fichte, as well as its deconstruction by Marx. The readings will include historical texts and contemporary papers, which interpret those texts using the methods of analytical philosophy. This is an intermediate level course.

The course is organized around one lecture each week for a total of three hours. Students are expected to contribute to class discussion and will be required to read 1-2 papers or book chapters each week. They will also be required to synthesize the course readings to complete their final research paper. Students are also expected to understand how to use the SFU Library’s resources and do basic research.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

PHIL 320 may be applied towards the Certificate in Ethics: Theory and Application (see our website for more details).

 The general aim of the course is for students to learn how to:

  • Identify a thesis and its supporting arguments in philosophical materials and other relevant sources
  • Engage with those arguments in respectful discussion with peers
  • Construct written arguments and anticipate replies to those arguments
  • Conduct independent research

This course is excellent preparation for: law school, graduate school in philosophy, public policy degrees, business school, or for anyone wishing to participate in public deliberation with their fellow citizens.




Grading

  • One short assignment (from a total of two, max 1 per week, due prior to class; the first due no later than week 4 and the last due no later than week 10, 600 words max) 15%
  • One short research paper (1200 words, due prior to lecture week 8) 30%
  • One longer research paper (2500 words, due prior to lecture week 13) 45%
  • Participation (comprising contributions to class or office hour discussions) 10%

REQUIREMENTS:

All papers must conform to the model described in “How Your Papers Are Graded” – available on Canvas.

Please consult the Course Policies document on Canvas (covering issues ranging from special accommodation for student needs to academic dishonesty).

No Nonsense Paper Policy: In the interest of preserving a level playing field students submitting late papers without prior arrangement or a doctor's note will be penalized. Students caught plagiarizing or otherwise cheating will normally be recommended for suspension from the university.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Rousseau, The Social Contract, (open e-license from Library)

Fichte, The System of Ethics, (restricted e-license from Library)

Kant, The Metaphysics of Morals, (Bookstore, no e-license available for purchase)

Occasional articles and chapters will be made available by course instructor.


Department Undergraduate Notes:

Thinking of a Philosophy Major or Minor? The Concentration in Law and Philosophy? The Certificate in Ethics? The Philosophy and Methodology of Science Certificate?
Contact the PHIL Advisor at philmgr@sfu.ca   More details on our website: SFU Philosophy

Registrar Notes:

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

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS