Spring 2025 - PHIL 825 G100
Selected Topics in Social and Political Philosophy (5)
Class Number: 6363
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Mon, 4:30–7:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Chelsea Rosenthal
crosenth@sfu.ca
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
COURSE DETAILS:
Selected Topics: Democracy
Important note regarding enrollment: All seats are reserved for philosophy graduate students. Philosophy honours students can access enrollment into this course by contacting the Philosophy Advisor (philcomm@sfu.ca). Enrollments from graduate students in other departments will be considered only upon submission of the Graduate Course Add Form, and with instructor's permission. All such enrollments will be done in or after the first week of classes.
The first portion of this course will survey contemporary democratic theory including discussion of theories that justify democracy based on egalitarian concerns and theories of democracy that justify democracy in terms of the outcomes of democratic (and undemocratic) processes. The second portion of this course will look at questions about the social conditions necessary for successful democracy and potential obstacles to them. This will include discussions of policies regarding speech and communication.
COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:
Successful completion of this course will satisfy the “Value Theory” distribution requirement toward the MA degree for philosophy graduate students.
Grading
- Short Reading Response Assignments and Quality of Participation 15%
- Presentation 15%
- Final paper (4,000-5,500 words) (This will require a paper proposal, version 1 of the paper, and a final version of the paper) 70%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Course readings will be available on Canvas.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Graduate Studies Notes:
Important dates and deadlines for graduate students are found here: http://www.sfu.ca/dean-gradstudies/current/important_dates/guidelines.html. The deadline to drop a course with a 100% refund is the end of week 2. The deadline to drop with no notation on your transcript is the end of week 3.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.