Students
POL 206 – Modern Political Thought
2018 – S2 Day
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Aleksandar Pavkovic
Contact via aleksandar.pavkovic@mq.edu.au
W6A 433
TBA
Ian Tregenza
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| Credit points |
Credit points
3
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
12cp at 100 level or above or (3cp in HIST or MHIS or POL units)
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| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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| Unit description |
Unit description
What are the limits of the legitimate use of force by political authorities? How should the power of government be limited? When is a government or political regime legitimate? These and related questions have been the subject of a continuous debate in political theory since the sixteenth century. This unit examines the various theories of human rights and of social contract as well as theories which reject the liberal/democratic approach to the question of legitimacy. Among the authors to be read are Machiavelli, Hobbes, Rousseau, Burke, Marx, Rawls, Schmitt, and Foucault.
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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:
- Theoretical arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power as well as arguments against such an approach to the question of legitimacy
- The concepts - such those of social contract, of political participation, of natural or basic rights - which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
- Understanding of the political theories of the major modern European thinkers
General Assessment Information
Extensions
The convenor DOES NOT approve or grant extensions. Students need to apply for special consideration through ask.mq.edu.
Late Submission Penalty
Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, (a) a penalty for lateness will apply – two (2) marks out of 100 will be deducted per day for assignments submitted after the due date – and (b) no assignment will be accepted more than seven (7) days (incl. weekends) after the original submission deadline. No late submissions will be accepted for timed assessments – e.g. quizzes, online tests
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tutorial presentation | 10% | No | Set in class |
| Short paper | 15% | No | 22 August 11 pm |
| Quizz final 1 hour | 30% | No | 6 Nov 10 am to 7 Nov 10 pm |
| Essay | 45% | No | 16 November, 11 pm |
Tutorial presentation
Due: Set in class
Weighting: 10%
Each (internal) student will give a 10-15 minute oral presentation in a tutorial. The topic will be chosen from the lecture questions given in the unit guide. The presentation should be concise, focused, coherent and raise further questions for discussion in the class. In the tutorial of the first week the students will be asked to sign for the week in which they will be presenting (thus choosing the same topic as the lecture of the week in which they will be presenting). Those who fail to present will lose 10 marks.
The tutorial procedure involves two steps. First, one week in advance, the student sends to the convenor of the unit, as an electronic attachment, a summary of his or her presentation. If necessary, the convenor will provide the feedback on this summary before the oral presentation. The summary should not be longer than two pages. Second, the student will present in class, following the summary and any feedback that he or she received from the convenor.
The mark on the presentation will include the mark of the summary and of the oral presentation,
On successful completion you will be able to:
- The concepts - such those of social contract, of political participation, of natural or basic rights - which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
- Understanding of the political theories of the major modern European thinkers
Short paper
Due: 22 August 11 pm
Weighting: 15%
The students should attempt to answer only one of the questions listed under the Lecture topics in the Lecture topics of this unit guide. You may choose one of the questions which has already been discussed in the lecture/tutorial sessions (but you do not have to do so). The short essay should be from 600 to 800 words (800 words is the upper limit). It should show the comprehension of the assigned texts and the ability to briefly outline the arguments found in these text. It should be concise, focused and coherent. See also the long essay section below regarding the essay writing guide, referencing and the Academic Honesty policy: These apply to the short paper as well.
The paper will should give the students feedback as to how they are progressing in this unit. If you fail, you will be given one more chance to submit this paper (you will not be given another chance for other pieces of assessment in this unit).
It is to be submitted through the Turnitin upload on the iLearn unit webpage.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Theoretical arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power as well as arguments against such an approach to the question of legitimacy
- The concepts - such those of social contract, of political participation, of natural or basic rights - which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
- Understanding of the political theories of the major modern European thinkers
Quizz final 1 hour
Due: 6 Nov 10 am to 7 Nov 10 pm
Weighting: 30%
You will have attempt to answer seven questions covering the lectures and readings for the whole unit. Your answers will be short - three sentences in each answer. The questions are related ONLY to the lectures and required readings. You can prepare for the test by revising your notes from lectures/readings.
Your answers have to in your own words: no quotations and no referencing are allowed. While you may be able to consult your notes if you wish, copying any text - plagiarism - may lead you to fail the quizz. Your answers may be put through the Turnitin.
This is an online quizz which will open only for an hour: once you open it, you will have to complete and submit it within an hour. But the quizz will be available from 6 November 10 am to 7 November 10 pm.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- The concepts - such those of social contract, of political participation, of natural or basic rights - which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
- Understanding of the political theories of the major modern European thinkers
Essay
Due: 16 November, 11 pm
Weighting: 45%
The essay writing should test your ability to articulate arguments for or against specific theories or theses discussed in the course; in articulating your arguments you would be expected to draw on the required texts; the required texts are your primary (but not necessarily only) sources. You are advised to consult works from the secondary sources as well as the more comprehensive bibliography on the unit iLearn webpage. Remember, however, to acknowledge your debts to any secondary sources. The essays will be marked in accordance with the marking criteria posted on the unit webpage.
It is only 2000 words, excluding bibliography but including footnotes. You should use Harvard referencing system (in text). You should strictly follow the essay writing guide posted on the website and follow the Academic Integrity Policy of the University. It is assumed that you have read and fully understood this policy, in particular its definitions.
The essay will be uploaded through the Turnitin upload facility at the iLearn unit webpage. No hard copy is needed.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Theoretical arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power as well as arguments against such an approach to the question of legitimacy
- The concepts - such those of social contract, of political participation, of natural or basic rights - which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
- Understanding of the political theories of the major modern European thinkers
Delivery and Resources
Classes
Each week there is a two hour lecture and one hour tutorial. For lecture times and classrooms please consult the MQ Timetable website: http://www.timetables.mq.edu.au. This website will display up-to-date information on your classes and classroom locations. Note, below, that most lectures are WRITTEN and not delivered orally.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
Required readings listed on the iLearn webpage are available through e-reserve.
Technology Used and Required
Most of the lectures in this unit are written and available through iLearn, accessed at: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au. The written lectures have no recordings - because they are written! The co-convener of the unit, Dr Ian Tragenza, may deliver lectures in his lecture sessions orally: you will be advised of these in advance.
The written lectures are conceived as commentaries on the required readings. Each lecture topic has a corresponding selection of readings by the author(s) whose theories are discussed in the lecture. These are listed in the Required Readings. These selections listed in the Required readings are available on e-reserve.
Students are recommended to read the lecture first before reading the text selection for that topic. While reading the original texts, students should attempt to answer at least some of the questions listed under each lecture topic below. These questions are intended help them understand the text and follow the arguments. Your answers to the questions and any comments on the text may be kept in a separate notebook or a computer file. These answers and comments may turn out to be quite useful when revising for the final exam. After reading the required text, it is useful to return to the lecture and note any agreement or disagreement with the lecturer's interpretation; these notes could also be kept the same notebook or computer file.
Lecture sessions consist of discussions of the topics and questions raised in the written lectures and required readings. For this reason it is essential that students read the lecture and the required reading selection BEFORE the lecture session at which this topic will be discussed.
ATTENDANCE AT LECTURE SESSIONS IS COMPULSORY. MORE THAN THREE UNEXPLAINED ABSENCES FROM LECTURES MAY LEAD TO A FAIL GRADE.
Unit Schedule
More detailed unit schedule to be found on the iLearn page
| Week | Topic |
| 1 | Power and legitimacy: an introduction |
| 2 | Political power and how to hold on to it: Machievalli’s advice |
| 3 | Consent and the right to political power: Hobbes’s social contract theory |
| 4 | Sovereign power restricted by a social contract: Locke’s argument from natural rights |
| 5 | How to remain free and yet live in a state: Rousseau’s proposal |
| 6 | Legimitacy through tradition: Edmund Burke |
| 7 | Legitimacy through representative government: John Stuart Mill |
| 8 | Can fairness and an overlapping consensus provide legitimacy? Rawls’s reconstruction of liberalism |
| 9 | The liberal state – illegitimate and inconsistent? Marxism, Anarchism and Decisionism (Carl Schmitt) |
| 10 | The liberal state with a higher (moral?) goal: the legitimacy restored? Communitarianism, republicanism and deliberative democracy. |
| 11 | Challenging patriarchal legitimacy: feminist perspectives on political power. Guest lecturer |
| 12 | Disciplinary power: Foucault’s overthrow of the sovereign power Lecturer: Dr Ian Tregenza |
| 13 | Why worry about legitimacy? |
Learning and Teaching Activities
Discussion/Debate
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). 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 (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/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
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
Assessment task
- Essay
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Theoretical arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power as well as arguments against such an approach to the question of legitimacy
- The concepts - such those of social contract, of political participation, of natural or basic rights - which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
Assessment tasks
- Short paper
- Quizz final 1 hour
- Essay
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Theoretical arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power as well as arguments against such an approach to the question of legitimacy
- The concepts - such those of social contract, of political participation, of natural or basic rights - which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial presentation
- Short paper
- Quizz final 1 hour
- Essay
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- The concepts - such those of social contract, of political participation, of natural or basic rights - which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
Assessment tasks
- Quizz final 1 hour
- Essay
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Theoretical arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power as well as arguments against such an approach to the question of legitimacy
- The concepts - such those of social contract, of political participation, of natural or basic rights - which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
- The conceptual tools needed to explore further theoretical questions in this area and to approach, critically, questions of the legitimacy of any particular government or political system
Assessment tasks
- Tutorial presentation
- Short paper
- Quizz final 1 hour
- Essay
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- Theoretical arguments for and against the need to consent to the exercise of political power as well as arguments against such an approach to the question of legitimacy
- The concepts - such those of social contract, of political participation, of natural or basic rights - which are deployed in the debate on political legitimacy
Assessment task
- Essay
Changes from Previous Offering
Short paper was added to give students early indication of their progress. No late submission policy is explained in some detailed.
Changes since First Published
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 22/06/2018 | Final online quizz replaces final test. The time is 1 hour and weighting is 30 per cent. Short paper now has 15 per cent weighting and is not pass/fail. |