Students
PHIX3057 – Theories of Justice
2021 – Session 2, Fully online/virtual
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
A/Prof Paul Formosa
Lecturer
Prof Jean-Philippe Deranty
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
130cp at 1000 level or above
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
What is justice? What is fairness? This unit explores these important questions by examining leading philosophical theories of justice, including John Rawls's influential model, as well as the main political approaches that are associated with them, such as liberalism, libertarianism, republicanism, and socialism. We assess the capacity of these theories and approaches to respond to pressing social justice issues. We focus on issues of inequality and diversity in society by asking: what degree of inequality, if any, can be justified? We also examine broader questions around social and retributive justice, such as: How can we justify punishing those who violate justice? What are the obligations of democratic citizenship? Is our society and its political institutions racist, sexist, or unfairly biased against cultural minorities? What do we owe the poor in other countries? And is our treatment of animals and the environment a matter of justice? |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: understand some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy.
- ULO2: analyse arguments in the relevant literature.
- ULO3: evaluate relevant theories and arguments critically.
- ULO4: communicate clearly your own own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit.
General Assessment Information
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – 10 marks out of 100 credit will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted seven days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quizzes | 20% | No | 5/11/2021 |
| Participation | 20% | No | ongoing |
| Reflective tasks | 20% | No | 9/9/2021 |
| Philosophical essay | 40% | No | 4/11/2021 |
Quizzes
Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 5/11/2021
Weighting: 20%
Online quizzes
On successful completion you will be able to:
- understand some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy.
Participation
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: ongoing
Weighting: 20%
Participate in relevant online discussions and activities. Students are expected to be well-prepared and make a constructive contribution.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- understand some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy.
- analyse arguments in the relevant literature.
- evaluate relevant theories and arguments critically.
- communicate clearly your own own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit.
Reflective tasks
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 9/9/2021
Weighting: 20%
Reflective tasks
On successful completion you will be able to:
- understand some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy.
- analyse arguments in the relevant literature.
- evaluate relevant theories and arguments critically.
- communicate clearly your own own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit.
Philosophical essay
Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 4/11/2021
Weighting: 40%
Philosophical essay
On successful completion you will be able to:
- understand some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy.
- analyse arguments in the relevant literature.
- evaluate relevant theories and arguments critically.
- communicate clearly your own own perspective on the views and arguments presented in the unit.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Required readings are listed in iLearn and available for download from Leganto. You must read the required readings BEFORE the lecture and tutorial.
Unit Schedule
PHIL3057 – 2021 – Weekly schedule
Week 1 (PF)
Lecture 1: Introduction: Equality and Diversity
No tutorial and no required reading this week
Week 2 (PF)
Lecture 2 & Tutorial 1: Rawls and Liberalism
Reflective Task assessment handed out in Week 2.
Quizzes start week 2
Week 3 (PF)
Lecture 3 and Tutorial 2: Dworkin and Luck Equalitarianism
Week 4 (PF)
Lecture 4 & Tutorial 3: Nozick and Libertarianism
Week 5 (JPD)
Lecture 5 & Tutorial 4: Socialism
Week 6 (JPD)
Lecture 6 & Tutorial 5: Republicanism
Week 7 (PF)
Lecture 7 & Tutorial 6: Retributive Justice, Criminality and Punishment
Reflective Task assessment due this week
RECESS
Week 8 (PF)
Lecture 8 & Tutorial 7: Feminism, Liberalism and Justice
Philosophical Essay Assessment questions handed out in week 8
Week 9 (JPD)
Lecture 9 & Tutorial 8: Democracy and Minorities
Week 10 (JPD)
Lecture 10 & Tutorial 9: Global Justice
Week 11 (JPD)
Lecture 11 & Tutorial 10: Animal Justice
Week 12 (JPD)
Lecture 12: Environmental Justice
No tutorial or quizzes this week
Week 13
No Lectures or Tutorials this week - Writing Week
Essays due this week. Quizzes close this week
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook