Students
PHIL704 – Research Topics in Modern European Philosophy
2017 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Associate Professor
Jean-Philippe Deranty
Contact via 9850 6773
By appointment
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| Credit points |
Credit points
4
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
The unit will examine contemporary research in the field of Modern European Philosophy. Examples of areas to be explored include recent developments in the Frankfurt School tradition of Critical Theory (especially the ‘recognition’ paradigm’), theories of subjectivity and intersubjectivity, and recent developments in French Philosophy (especially aesthetics). The unit will revolve around a current ‘hot ‘topic of research in this area. Students will be brought up to speed on this topic so that they are in a position to begin to pursue their own research project.
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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:
- Acquire in-depth understanding of a key text of modern European philosophy, Hegel's Elements of the Philosophy of Right (1820).
- Acquire in-depth understanding of the significance of a key text of modern European philosophy for contemporary debates.
- Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in written and oral form.
- Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments and their application to contemporary social issues.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Research Essay | 60% | No | Week 13 |
| Essay preparation portfolio | 30% | No | Week 10 |
| Seminar attendance | 10% | No | Throughout the semester |
Research Essay
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 60%
4,000-5,000 word research essay.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Acquire in-depth understanding of a key text of modern European philosophy, Hegel's Elements of the Philosophy of Right (1820).
- Acquire in-depth understanding of the significance of a key text of modern European philosophy for contemporary debates.
- Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in written and oral form.
- Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments and their application to contemporary social issues.
Essay preparation portfolio
Due: Week 10
Weighting: 30%
Essay preparation portfolio, consisting of the following sections:
- a self-constructed essay question and a short description of its significance and relevance
- an outline with brief summaries of the key points and arguments
- a short annotated review of the core literature to be used in the essay
- a review of peers' work
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in written and oral form.
- Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments and their application to contemporary social issues.
Seminar attendance
Due: Throughout the semester
Weighting: 10%
Weekly attendance and participation in seminar discussion.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Acquire in-depth understanding of a key text of modern European philosophy, Hegel's Elements of the Philosophy of Right (1820).
- Acquire in-depth understanding of the significance of a key text of modern European philosophy for contemporary debates.
- Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments and their application to contemporary social issues.
Delivery and Resources
The unit has a dual structure:
- an in-depth reading, section by section, of Hegel's Elements of the Philosophy of Right (1820).
- after each section, a focus on a key issue raised in the section just studied. Through this focus we explore the tremendous legacy of Hegel's social and political thought on a wide range of important questions and topics.
The unit will be delivered by way of weekly seminar discussions.
The seminar is scheduled on Wednesdays, 1-3pm, in Room Y3A 210.
The main texts will be provided through the unit's iLearn space.
Further references and sources will be provided during the semester.
Unit Schedule
Week 1: Presentation of the course. Conceptual introduction and problem-setting.
The difficulty of locating Hegel’s social and political philosophy in the theoretical landscape: liberalism, republicanism, communitarianism, socialism, conservatism, authoritarianism and other “isms”.
The core problems of social and political philosophy.
Week 2: Introduction to Hegel’s Philosophy. The place of the philosophy of right in the system. Outline of the Philosophy of Right.
Heikki Ikaheimo, “Holism and Normative Essentialism in Hegel’s Social Ontology”, in Recognition and Social Ontology, 145-210.
Outline of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right, p.3-8.
Week 3: Hegel’s theory of freedom.
Introduction to the Philosophy of Right, ## 1-32.
Week 4: Alternative models of freedom: negative, positive and social.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, “Negative and Positive Freedom”.
Quentin Skinner, “A Third Concept of Liberty”
Axel Honneth, “Three, Not Two Concepts of Liberty” and extracts from Freedom’s Right.
Week 5: Hegel’s theory of property
Philosophy of Right, ##34-75.
Week 6: Property, freedom, rights
John Locke, extracts from Second Treatise of Government.
Jon Roemer, “A Challenge to Neo-Lockeanism”.
Week 7: Citizenship as concrete freedom
Philosophy of Right, ##142-157 and 257-272.
Week 8: The nature of political sovereignty
Extracts from Rousseau, The Social Contract.
Annelien de Dijn, “Rousseau and Republicanism”.
Jürgen Habermas, “On the Past and Future of Sovereignty and Citizenship”.
Week 9: Society as division of labour
Philosophy of Right, ##182-208, 230-256.
Week 10: Theory of political institutions
Philosophy of Right, ##271-320.
Week 11: Hegel and radical democracy (I)
Feuerbach, Principles of the Philosophy of the Future, ##37-62.
Andrew Chitty, “The basis of the State in the Marx of 1842”.
Marx, Critique of Hegel’s political philosophy (1843), extracts.
Week 12: Hegel and radical democracy (II)
Dewey, extracts from The Public and Its Problems.
Richard Bernstein, “Dewey’s Vision of Radical Democracy”.
Axel Honneth, “Democracy as Reflexive Cooperation”.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, 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.
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 improve your marks and take control of your study.
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
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.
Graduate Capabilities
PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in written and oral form.
Assessment task
- Seminar attendance
PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Acquire in-depth understanding of a key text of modern European philosophy, Hegel's Elements of the Philosophy of Right (1820).
- Acquire in-depth understanding of the significance of a key text of modern European philosophy for contemporary debates.
Assessment tasks
- Research Essay
- Essay preparation portfolio
PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Acquire in-depth understanding of a key text of modern European philosophy, Hegel's Elements of the Philosophy of Right (1820).
- Acquire in-depth understanding of the significance of a key text of modern European philosophy for contemporary debates.
- Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments and their application to contemporary social issues.
Assessment tasks
- Research Essay
- Essay preparation portfolio
- Seminar attendance
PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in written and oral form.
Assessment tasks
- Research Essay
- Essay preparation portfolio
PG - Effective Communication
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Articulate clearly and coherently philosophical arguments in written and oral form.
- Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments and their application to contemporary social issues.
Assessment tasks
- Research Essay
- Essay preparation portfolio
- Seminar attendance
PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Analyse and critically evaluate philosophical arguments and their application to contemporary social issues.
Assessment tasks
- Essay preparation portfolio
- Seminar attendance