Egalitarianism and its Critics POLITIC4123

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course explores a range of contemporary egalitarian and non-egalitarian theories. Issues discussed include the distributive role of historical entitlement and free exchange; welfare, resources, and capabilities as measures of advantage; individual responsibility and its connection to unequal outcomes; and egalitarian versus non-egalitarian patterns of distribution.

Timetable

This course may not be running this year. For further information please check the Politics Moodle page or contact the subject directly.

Requirements of Entry

Mandatory Entry Requirements

Entry to Honours Politics requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Politics 2A and Politics 2B as a first attempt.

Excluded Courses

DISTRIBUTIVE JUSTICE PHIL4054

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Two essays, One between 1,750 and 2,000 words (40%), and a further essay, 2,500-3,000 (60%)

Given the interconnectedness of the concepts and arguments raised in the course the production of an essay that (at the least) minimally fulfils the intended learning outcomes will require full participation in the course.

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable

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Course Aims

This course will explore a spectrum of contemporary egalitarian and non-egalitarian theories. These theories each express a particular view about distributive justice, or the appropriate allocation of benefits and burdens between people. The course draws on the work of political philosophers such as John Rawls, Robert Nozick, Ronald Dworkin, and Gerald Cohen. Issues discussed include the distributive role of historical entitlement and free exchange; welfare, resources, and capabilities as measures of advantage; individual responsibility and its connection to unequal outcomes; and egalitarian versus non-egalitarian patterns of distribution.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this programme students will be able to acquire:

■ A clear grasp of the distinctions between different principles of equality.

■ The ability to assess different justifications for equality and inequality.

■ An understanding of the interconnectedness of the various concepts discussed in the course

■ A capacity to draw on texts in political theory, and in cognate disciplines

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.