Students
PHIX357 – Theories of Justice
2019 – S2 OUA
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convenor
Dr Jane Johnson
Tutor
Thomas Corbin
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
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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 is justice? This unit explores this important question by examining a number of leading contemporary philosophical theories of justice, including John Rawls's influential theory of justice, and assessing the capacity of these theories to respond to pressing social issues. To do this we look at issues of inequality and diversity in society by asking: what degree of inequality, if any, can be justified? We explore the different answers to this question proposed by liberals, libertarians, and Marxists. We shall also examine broader social questions around justice, such as: should we focus more on the well-being of communities and less on the rights of individuals? Is justice biased against women? Should minorities receive special protections and privileges? How can we justify punishing those who violate justice? What are the obligations of democratic citizenship? And what do we owe the poor in other countries?
All enrolment queries should be directed to Open Universities Australia (OUA): see www.open.edu.au
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Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.open.edu.au/student-admin-and-support/key-dates/
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- A good general knowledge of some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy
- An ability to understand and analyse arguments in the relevant literatures.
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- The ability to develop your own view or perspective through consideration and analysis of the views and arguments presented in the unit.
- Clarity of thought; clarity of verbal expression; clarity of written expression and exposition
General Assessment Information
All assessment is to be submitted on-line through iLearn.
Late Submission Policy
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Participation | 10% | No | On-going |
| Research Presentation | 15% | No | On-going |
| Comparative Analysis | 20% | No | Monday Week 8 |
| Essay Plan and Essay | 35% | No | Thursday Week 13 |
| Quizzes | 20% | No | On-going |
Participation
Due: On-going
Weighting: 10%
Regular, active contributions to online discussion boards.
Participation will be assessed by the following criteria: quality of your posts in discussion forums and their timeliness (you should post within a week of the topic). Quality is not just measured by the philosophical content of your posts, but by your willingness to engage in discussion with your peers. Much of what you learn in philosophy you will learn by involving yourself in discussion and argument. So while we would like to see some well thought out responses to the topics for each week and to the questions posed, we would also really encourage you to respond to the messages of other students, ask questions, post your thoughts and engage fully in the philosophical community.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- The ability to develop your own view or perspective through consideration and analysis of the views and arguments presented in the unit.
- Clarity of thought; clarity of verbal expression; clarity of written expression and exposition
Research Presentation
Due: On-going
Weighting: 15%
Students will present a critical analysis of a further piece of relevant research. Students will be expected to complete the assessment in pairs or small groups, depending on numbers.
Students should record and upload to iLearn a 5 minute video (preferred) or audio file of their presentation as well as upload slides (or a 500 word summary of their presentation if no slides are used); these must be uploaded on the Friday of the relevant week. Groups and topics will be assigned via iLearn.
This task will be assessed according to the rubric supplied.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- The ability to develop your own view or perspective through consideration and analysis of the views and arguments presented in the unit.
- Clarity of thought; clarity of verbal expression; clarity of written expression and exposition
Comparative Analysis
Due: Monday Week 8
Weighting: 20%
The aim of the comparative analysis (800 words) is to consolidate your understanding of the theories and issues discussed in the first half of the unit. You are required to critically analyse in comparative terms the central points of difference between two of the theories we discuss.
This task will be assessed according to the rubric supplied.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- An ability to understand and analyse arguments in the relevant literatures.
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- Clarity of thought; clarity of verbal expression; clarity of written expression and exposition
Essay Plan and Essay
Due: Thursday Week 13
Weighting: 35%
First, an essay plan must be presented which outlines the argumentative structure of your essay.
Second, the essay plan must form the basis for an essay (1800 words). The essay is designed to extend your understanding of a specific topic and to test your ability to engage with that topic in depth. Essay writing tests your ability to synthesise material from a range of readings and to express, analyse and structure key ideas and arguments clearly, logically and systematically. It also tests your ability to develop your own view, and to argue for that view in a cogent and sustained way. You will be expected to read and incorporate into your essay extra secondary sources beyond the required readings.
This task will be assessed according to the rubric supplied.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- An ability to understand and analyse arguments in the relevant literatures.
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- The ability to develop your own view or perspective through consideration and analysis of the views and arguments presented in the unit.
- Clarity of thought; clarity of verbal expression; clarity of written expression and exposition
Quizzes
Due: On-going
Weighting: 20%
There will be 10 weekly on-line quizzes worth a total of 20% (or a maximum of 2% for each of the 10 quizzes). Quizzes start in Week 3 (Rawls) and run until Week 12 (Global justice). Quizzes open on the Monday of the relevant week and remain open until Friday of the following week.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- A good general knowledge of some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy
Delivery and Resources
Required Readings
Textbook: Will Kymlicka, Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction. (2nd edition) Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2002.
Other Required readings: Other required readings are available in Leganto and can be accessed via the iLearn site.
Additional readings: Kymlicka also provides suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter and offers useful comments about what each text contains. You do NOT need to read these each week.
Unit Schedule
Section 1: Equality and Inequality
Week 1
Lecture 1: Introduction: Equality and Diversity
No required reading
Week 2
Lecture 2: Utilitarianism
Required Reading:
1. Kymlicka, CPP, Ch. 2, pp. 10-37; 45-52. [OPTIONAL: Section 5, pp.37-45].
Week 3
Lecture 3: Rawls
Required Reading:
1. John Rawls, A Theory of Justice (Harvard University Press, 1971), Ch. 1, Sections 1-6 (pp. 3-33), Ch. 2, Sections 11-12 (pp. 60-78), Ch. 3, Sections 24-26 (pp. 136-161).
2. Kymlicka, CPP, Ch. 3, Sections 1-3 ONLY (pp.53-75). Do NOT read past p.75, we will cover that next week.
Quizzes start this week and continue until end of semester
Week 4
Lecture 4: Dworkin
Required Reading:
1. Ronald Dworkin, ‘What is Equality? Part 2: Equality of Resources’, Philosophy & Public Affairs, 10:4, 1981, Section I-IV & VII ONLY (pp.283-314; pp. 335-345). [OPTIONAL: Sections V & VI (pp. 314-334).
2. Kymlicka, CPP, Ch. 3, Sections 4-5.
Week 5
Lecture 5: Nozick
Required Reading:
1. Robert Nozick, ‘Distributive Justice’ Ch. 7 (Section 1, pp. 149-182 & from 'Natural Assets' until end of chapter, pp. 213-231) of Anarchy, State and Utopia, (New York: Basic Books, 1974).
2. Kymlicka, CPP, Ch. 4, Section 2 (pp. 107-127), Section 4 (pp. 138-153), & Section 5 (pp.154-159) ONLY [OPTIONAL: Section 1 and Section 3 on Chapter 4].
Week 6
Lecture 6: Analytical Marxism
Required Reading:
1. Kymlicka, CPP, Ch. 5
Week 7
Lecture 7: Capabilities Approach, Communitarianism and Perfectionism Required
Required Reading:
1. Martha Nussbaum, Women and Human Development: The Capabilities Approach, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2000), Chapter. 1, Sections IV-V (pp. 70-96) ONLY.
2. Kymlicka, CPP, Ch 6, Sections 1-8 (pp. 208-261), Section 11 (pp. 270-273). [OPTIONAL: Section 9-10 (pp. 261-270)]
RECESS
Section 2: Diversity, Citizenship and Justice
Week 8
Comparative Analysis assessment due
Lecture 8: Retributive Justice, Criminality and Punishment
Required Reading:
1. Rawls, A Theory of Justice, Section: The Rule of Law, section 38, pp. 235-243.
2. Walen, Alec, "Retributive Justice", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2016 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = <http://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2016/entries/justice-retributive/>.
Week 9
Lecture 9: Feminism
Required Reading:
1. Susan Moller Okin, ‘Justice as Fairness: For Whom?’ Ch. 5 of Justice, Gender and the Family (pp. 88-109), (New York: Basic Books, 1989)
2. Eva Feder Kittay, ‘Human Dependency and Rawlsian Equality’ (pp. 219-266), in Diana Meyers (ed.) Feminists Rethink the Self (Boulder: Westview Press, 1997)
Week 10
Lecture 10: Citizenship
Required reading:
1. Joshua Cohen, ‘Deliberation and Democratic Legitimacy’ (pp. 67-91) in James Bohman & William Rehg (eds) Deliberative Democracy: Essays on Reason and Politics, (MIT Press, 1997)
2. Anne Phillips, ‘Dealing with Difference: A Politics of Ideas or a Politics of Presence?’ (pp. 174-184) in Goodin & Pettit (eds) Contemporary Political Philosophy
Week 11
Lecture 11: Multiculturalism
Required reading
1. Kymlicka, CPP, Ch. 8
Week 12
Lecture 12: Global Justice
Required Reading:
1. Brian Barry, ‘Humanity and Justice in Global Perspective’ (pp. 525-539) in Goodin and Pettit (eds.), Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Anthology
2. John Rawls, The Law of Peoples (Harvard, 1999), Part III, Sections 15 & 16 (pp. 105-120).
Week 13
No Lecture
Essay Plan and Essay due
Policies and Procedures
Late Submission - applies unless otherwise stated elsewhere in the unit guide
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.
Extension Request
Special Consideration Policy and Procedure (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration)
The University recognises that students may experience events or conditions that adversely affect their academic performance. If you experience serious and unavoidable difficulties at exam time or when assessment tasks are due, you can consider applying for Special Consideration.
You need to show that the circumstances:
- were serious, unexpected and unavoidable
- were beyond your control
- caused substantial disruption to your academic work
- substantially interfered with your otherwise satisfactory fulfilment of the unit requirements
- lasted at least three consecutive days or a total of 5 days within the teaching period and prevented completion of an assessment task scheduled for a specific date.
If you feel that your studies have been impacted submit an application as follows:
- Visit Ask MQ and use your OneID to log in
- Fill in your relevant details
- Attach supporting documents by clicking 'Add a reply', click 'Browse' and navigating to the files you want to attach, then click 'Submit Form' to send your notification and supporting documents
- Please keep copies of your original documents, as they may be requested in the future as part of the assessment process
Outcome
Once your submission is assessed, an appropriate outcome will be organised.
OUA Specific Policies and Procedures
Withdrawal from a unit after the census date
You can withdraw from your subjects prior to the census date (last day to withdraw). If you successfully withdraw before the census date, you won’t need to apply for Special Circumstances. If you find yourself unable to withdraw from your subjects before the census date - you might be able to apply for Special Circumstances. If you’re eligible, we can refund your fees and overturn your fail grade.
If you’re studying Single Subjects using FEE-HELP or paying up front, you can apply online.
If you’re studying a degree using HECS-HELP, you’ll need to apply directly to Macquarie University.
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 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
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Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
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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.
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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
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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 outcomes
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- The ability to develop your own view or perspective through consideration and analysis of the views and arguments presented in the unit.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Research Presentation
- Comparative Analysis
- Essay Plan and 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 ability to develop your own view or perspective through consideration and analysis of the views and arguments presented in the unit.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Essay Plan and Essay
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcomes
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- The ability to develop your own view or perspective through consideration and analysis of the views and arguments presented in the unit.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Research Presentation
- Comparative Analysis
- Essay Plan and Essay
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
- A good general knowledge of some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy
- An ability to understand and analyse arguments in the relevant literatures.
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- The ability to develop your own view or perspective through consideration and analysis of the views and arguments presented in the unit.
- Clarity of thought; clarity of verbal expression; clarity of written expression and exposition
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Research Presentation
- Comparative Analysis
- Essay Plan and Essay
- Quizzes
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
- An ability to understand and analyse arguments in the relevant literatures.
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- The ability to develop your own view or perspective through consideration and analysis of the views and arguments presented in the unit.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Research Presentation
- Comparative Analysis
- Essay Plan and 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
- An ability to understand and analyse arguments in the relevant literatures.
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- The ability to develop your own view or perspective through consideration and analysis of the views and arguments presented in the unit.
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Research Presentation
- Comparative Analysis
- Essay Plan and 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
- An ability to evaluate these theories and arguments critically
- Clarity of thought; clarity of verbal expression; clarity of written expression and exposition
Assessment tasks
- Participation
- Research Presentation
- Comparative Analysis
- Essay Plan and 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 outcome
- A good general knowledge of some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy
Assessment task
- Quizzes
Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- A good general knowledge of some of the major theories and current debates in contemporary political philosophy
Assessment task
- Quizzes