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PAIS308 Modern Political Thinkers

Credit Points 6
Offering
Responsible Campus Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Off Campus
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no UNE Supervised Examination.
Pre-requisites 12cp in Asian Societies or International Relations or Political and International Studies or Political Science or Philosophy or any 24cp or candidature in a postgraduate award
Co-requisites None
Restrictions PAIS408 or PAIS508 or POLS208 or POLS308 or POLS408
Notes

offered in odd numbered years
Combined Units PAIS508 - Modern Political Thinkers
Coordinator(s) Anthony Lynch (alynch@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit explores the ideas of the key modern thinkers in neo-liberalism, neo-conservatism, post-modernism, communitarianism, and new socialisms in their historical and political context.
Materials No text required
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Assignment 1 70% 3000
Assessment Notes
Essay.
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA:1,2,4,5,6
Take Home Exam 2 hrs 30%
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)
LO: 1-4 GA:1,2,4,5,6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. comprehend and analyse complex arguments from contemporary political philosophy;
  2. develop both an understanding of the ideas of the seminal Western political thinkers studied and a general sharpening of their critical reasoning powers;
  3. write a clear and coherent expository synopsis of the theories of major thinkers in the history of political thought; and
  4. contribute to students' effective pursuit of professional interests and needs.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1 Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of the political and international studies discipline will be taught through unit notes, readings and assignments. Knowledge is assessed in all assessment tasks. 		True True
2 Communication Skills
Students will be taught communication skills through written feedback on the written, online and participation component of the unit. Students will learn valuable communication skills through participation in tutorials and online discussions. Students will be assessed on the style of writing, clarity of writing, expression and development of ideas, and referencing. Students will practise their communication skills through completing the assessment tasks. 		True True True
3 Global Perspectives
Students will demonstrate an awareness of the global context of the subject area and they will develop an awareness of the need for tolerance and inter-cultural understanding. 		True True
4 Information Literacy
Students will be directed to relevant literature and taught how to assess its validity. Students will be assessed on their ability to identify and critically analyse the relevant literature. 		True True
5 Life-Long Learning
Through completing the assessments, students will be provided with the necessary lifelong skills to be able to research, write and discuss social issues. These skills can be transferred to any discipline, and will be useful in any research positions. 		True True
6 Problem Solving
Students will be assessed on their ability to deconstruct the essay question and to integrate theory and literature into their answer. Students will need to work out how to address the question and where the most appropriate material is to answer the question. 		True
7 Social Responsibility
Students will recognize social issues relevant to their subject area; students will be expected to use professional language and show sensitivity towards political standpoints, cultures or other groups in their written assessments. 		True True
8 Team Work
Students will practise their teamwork skills through participating in tutorials, or online discussion postings. They will be required to discuss the weekly topics with their fellow students in a thoughtful and respectful manner. 		True
   

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