Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

Faculty of Education and Arts

School: Communications and Arts

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Modern Political Thought

• Unit Code

  POL1103

• Year

  2015

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  Online

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Description

This unit examines the major political ideologies including liberalism, capitalism, nationalism, conservatism, feminism and environmentalism and the ideas of philosophers which gave rise to them. The ways in which these ideas and ideologies have shaped our views about politics and society is also explored.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded POL4103

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Apply an understanding of ideology to contemporary political events.
2. Demonstrate the impacts of these ideologies on political systems.
3. Indicate the major tenets ofliberalism, conservatism, socialism, environmentalism, feminism and nationalism.
4. Understand the ideas behind the major ideologies.
5. Understand the role and function of ideologies.

Unit Content

1. Animal rights.
2. Capitalism.
3. Conservatism.
4. Democracy.
5. Environmentalism.
6. Feminism.
7. Liberalism.
8. Marxism.
9. Nationalism.
10. Political ideologies and the left/centre/right political spectrum.
11. Racism.

Additional Learning Experience Information

The presentation of the unit content will include lectures, tutorials, videos and documentaries.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Text References

• ^ Heywood A. (2011). Political ideologies. An introduction. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
• Collier, A. (2008). Marx: A beginners guide. Oxford: One World.
• Beetham, D. (1999). Democracy and human rights. Oxford: Blackwell.
• Dobson, A. (2007). Green political thought. New York: Routledge.
• Grosby, S. (2005). Nationalism: A very short introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Singer, P. (1976). Animal liberation: A new ethics for our treatment of animals. London: Cape.
• Baradat, L. (2007). Political ideologies: Their origin and impact. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
• Royle, T., & McEarchern, D. (2001). Environment and politics. New York: Routledge.
• Jackson, S., & Jones, J. (1998). Contemporary feminist theories. Edinsburg: Edinsburg University Press.
• Frederickson, G. (2002). Racism: A short history. Melbourne: Scribe.
• Bryson, V. (1999). Feminist debates: Issues of theory and political practice. Basingstoke: Macmillan.

Journal References

• Foreign Affairs (on line)
• The Australian Journal of Political Science

^ Mandatory reference

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