PHILO215-22B (HAM)

Moral and Political Philosophy: A Historical Introduction

15 Points

Edit Header Content
Division of Arts Law Psychology & Social Sciences
School of Social Sciences
Philosophy

Staff

Edit Staff Content

Convenor(s)

Liezl Van Zyl

Liezl Van Zyl
9356
J.3.18A
See Moodle
liezl.vanzyl@waikato.ac.nz

Lecturer(s)

Stephanie Gibbons

Stephanie Gibbons
6062
J.3.18
See Moodle
stephanie.gibbons@waikato.ac.nz

Administrator(s)

: monique.mulder@waikato.ac.nz

Placement/WIL Coordinator(s)

Tutor(s)

Student Representative(s)

Lab Technician(s)

Librarian(s)

: anne.ferrier-watson@waikato.ac.nz

You can contact staff by:

  • Calling +64 7 838 4466 select option 1, then enter the extension.
  • Extensions starting with 4, 5, 9 or 3 can also be direct dialled:
    • For extensions starting with 4: dial +64 7 838 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 5: dial +64 7 858 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 9: dial +64 7 837 extension.
    • For extensions starting with 3: dial +64 7 2620 + the last 3 digits of the extension e.g. 3123 = +64 7 262 0123.
Edit Staff Content

Paper Description

Edit Paper Description Content

This paper gives students the opportunity to study three classical texts in Moral and Political Philosophy: Plato's Republic and J.S. Mill's Utilitarianism and On Liberty. We consider questions such as:

  • What is virtue? How do we become virtuous? Why should we be good? Does it benefit me to be virtuous?
  • What is (true) happiness? Is happiness merely subjective? Is there a link between virtue and happiness?
  • What is art? Do artists play an important role in society? Should artists be censored?
  • What is justice? Is democracy the best form of government? What is the proper role of the state?
  • Why do we value freedom? What does it mean to be (truly) free? Should the state interfere with individual freedom for the sake of the public good? How much freedom should people have?
  • Should everyone have equality of opportunity? Should society be organised around individual merit? Should everyone have equal rights?
Edit Paper Description Content

Paper Structure

Edit Paper Structure Content

The first 6 weeks of the paper will be devoted to Plato's Republic, and the second 6 weeks will be on Mill.

Edit Paper Structure Content

Learning Outcomes

Edit Learning Outcomes Content

Students who successfully complete the paper should be able to:

  • To think critically about moral and political issues
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • To show familiarity with and understanding of the important arguments of the historical texts
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • To construct and defend original arguments addressing central questions in moral and political philosophy
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • To reflect on the differences and similarities between key historical approaches to moral and political questions, and contemporary ones
    Linked to the following assessments:
  • To communicate information, arguments and analyses effectively, both orally and in writing
    Linked to the following assessments:
Edit Learning Outcomes Content
Edit Learning Outcomes Content

Assessment

Edit Assessments Content

Assessment Components

Edit Assessments Content

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0. There is no final exam. The final exam makes up 0% of the overall mark.

The internal assessment/exam ratio (as stated in the University Calendar) is 100:0 or 0:0, whichever is more favourable for the student. The final exam makes up either 0% or 0% of the overall mark.

Component DescriptionDue Date TimePercentage of overall markSubmission MethodCompulsory
1. Tutorial/Forum discussion
15
  • Other:
2. Weekly quizzes
20
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
3. Plato essay plan
15 Aug 2022
11:00 PM
10
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
4. Plato Essay
9 Sep 2022
11:00 PM
25
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
5. Mill essay
28 Oct 2022
11:00 PM
30
  • Online: Submit through Moodle
Assessment Total:     100    
Failing to complete a compulsory assessment component of a paper will result in an IC grade
Edit Assessments Content

Required and Recommended Readings

Edit Required Readings Content

Required Readings

Edit Required Readings Content

The required texts for this course are:

Plato’s Republic. Any reputable edition of the Republic will do, but some translations are better than others. Recommendations include translations by Grube & Reeve (Hackett), Bloom, Lindsay, Lee, Cornford. You need one with Stephanos page references in the margin. (They look like this: "576b".) There are lots of free online editions.

J.S. Mill, Utilitarianism. Any edition. As it is no longer under copyright the full text is freely available online.

J.S. Mill, On Liberty. Any edition. As it is no longer under copyright the full text is freely available online.

Further readings are available through the Waikato Reading List for this paper, and some additional readings will be made available on Moodle.

Edit Required Readings Content

Online Support

Edit Online Support Content
Moodle will be used for all assessment, and for announcements. Please consult the Moodle page regularly. Office hours are available through zoom if you are off campus.
Edit Online Support Content

Workload

Edit Workload Content

The expected workload for the paper is 10-12 hours a week. That includes attending lectures, completing quizzes, studying the required reading, participating in the workshop or forums, and preparing for essays.

Edit Workload Content

Linkages to Other Papers

Edit Linkages Content

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Equivalent(s)

Restriction(s)

Restricted papers: PHIL215

Edit Linkages Content