PHIL 320: Social and Political Philosophy

Spring Semester 2014 | Day | Burnaby

INSTRUCTOR: Endre Begby, WMC 5653 (ebegby@sfu.ca)

REQUIRED TEXT

• None.  All readings will be available online or on reserve.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class offers a survey of central topics in recent social and political philosophy from the point of view of the emerging literature on Global Justice. While some of our questions will be of a theoretical nature (how do we construct models of international justice?; how are global responsibilities grounded?), the primary focus will be on questions of a more practical sort: among other things, we will be discussing economic justice (including trade and natural resource extraction), the status of minority groups (including women), the right of immigration, war and intervention, and the prospects for global democratic governance. 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• Participation – 15%
• Five précis of readings of your choice (2pp., or about 600 words each) – 25%
• Short paper (5-6 pp., or about 1500-1800 words) – 25%
• Research paper (8-10 pp., or about 2400-3000 words) – 35%
  

Prerequisites:  PHIL 120W or PHIL 220 or ENV 320.  (Students with a background in political science or international studies are especially encouraged to enroll).