Spring 2021 - POL 411 D100

Normative Political Theory (4)

Class Number: 5289

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Exam Times + Location:

    Apr 22, 2021
    Thu, 11:59–11:59 a.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 responses in 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 entirely disconnected from real world problems and policy issues. The normative debate on democracy and diversity is a rich terrain for exploring the evolution of normative theorizing.

Course Organization

We will meet weekly for 2 hours on Zoom. Students are expected to have completed the readings prior to class and be prepared to participate actively.

This course is combined with POL 814.

Grading

  • Participation 15%
  • Quizzes 10%
  • Presentation and Self-Assessment 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 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges 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. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).