uk00302 - syllabus- english version - powerpoint

7/29/2019 UK00302 - Syllabus- English Version - Powerpoint

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CONTEMPORARYPOLITICAL THOUGHTCODE: UK00302

SEMESTER 1, SESSION

20010/11

LECTURER : DR. ANANTHA RAMAN GOVINDASAMY

OFFICE : ROOM NO.24, LEVEL 1, PPIB

TELEPHONE : 088-320000 EXT. 5275

E-MAIL : [email protected]

CONSULTATION : FRIDAY (3:30 5:00 PM)


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Synopsis This introductory level course exposes the student to the

political thought, philosophy, theory and ideas that shapethe fundamental questions and problem of political life inthe contemporary world.

The central questions of i) who gets what when, andhow, ii) how a society should function, and iii) how itactually functions, as well as key political principles andvalues like freedom, liberty, equality, justice, and rightsare explored via the appreciation of both contemporarymainstream and alternative political ideologies.

Emphasis is given to developing the ability of the studentto think, understand, analyse, evaluate, and apply theseideas and thought on current empirical examples. Thiscourse also intends to promote critical thinking, andlogical discourse amongst students in comprehending

the political transformations of the contemporary world.


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Course Objectives To introduce and expose the student to contemporary political

thought, philosophy, theory, and ideas. To provide understanding, and to encourage the student to think,

analyse, and evaluate the fundamental problem and questions of thecontemporary political world.

To enable the student to apply their knowledge in various aspects ofpolitical life based on current empirical examples.

To promote critical thinking, and logical discourse amongst studentsin comprehending the political transformations of the contemporaryworld.

To develop the soft skills of students, particularly the ability toexpress their respective views/ideas, both orally (participation inclass discussions), and in writing (essay-oriented assignment), andto enable them to do so, in a critical, analytical, clear, and effectivemanner.

To cultivate open-mindedness amongst students, namely theirability to think openly and rationally, not mentioning, respect differentperspectives, viewpoints, and discourses.


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Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students shall be: familiar with both mainstream and alternative political

thought, philosophy, theory, and ideas in thecontemporary world.

able to understand, think, analyse, and evaluate thepolitical questions and problems of the contemporaryworld.

able to apply their knowledge in various aspects ofpolitical life based on current empirical examples.

able to develop critical thinking and logical discourse incomprehending the political transformations of thecontemporary world.

able to express and communicate their views in a critical,analytical, clear, and effective manner.


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COURSE SYLLABUS / OUTLINEIntroduction (Week 1) Course description

Aims and objectives

Learning outcomes

Brief summary of lecture themes/topics

Methods of assessment

Criteria for assignment/project paper

Essential and suggested readings

Question and Answer session

Introduction to Politics and Political Studies (Week 1-2) General and specific understanding/s of politics and political studies

Sub-fields of Political studies/political science What is political thought?

Why is political thought/philosophy important?

The fundamental problems/questions and debate in political thought

Political Thought/Philosophy: Traditional, Modern, and Contemporary

Summary


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Democracy (Week 2 4) Introduction and Definition/s

The Historical Background/Legacy of Democracy The Social Conditions for Democracy

Models of Democracy

Principles of Democracy Citizen Involvement/Paticipation Elitism; Pluralism;

Corporatism and Participatory Democracy Representation

Rule of Law

The Electoral System

Equality political equality; Equality before the Law; Equality

of Opportunity; Economic Equality, Social Equality Freedom, Liberty and Rights Natural Rights and

Civil Rights; Types of Liberty

Current Trends Democratisation; Civil Society;Group Rights

Summary


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Capitalism and Socialism (Week 5-6) Democratic Capitalism

- The principles of Democratic Capitalism

- Capitalism and Democracy

- Criticisms of Democratic Capitalism

- The Problem of Welfare

-

Democratic Socialism

-The Principles of Democratic Socialism- Socialism and Democracy

- Criticisms of Democratic Socialism

- Market Socialism

- Developmental Socialism

Current Trends- The Third Way

- Economic Democracy

- Cooperation

- Communal Living

Summary


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Conservatism and Liberalism (Week 8-9) Conservatism

Liberalism

Contemporary Conservatism and Liberalism Liberalism dan Comunitarianism

Extreme Right/Ultra-right

Current Trend

Summary

Feminism (Week 10-11) The Development of Feminist Thought

The Nature of Feminism: The Personal is Political

Sex and Gender/Sexism - Socialisation; Religion, andLanguage

The Nature and Characteristics of Oppression and Subordination Equality and Differences

The Feminist Response

Current Trend Voting Rights and Votes for Women;Multiculturalism; Reproductive Rights

Summary


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Anarchism and Libertarianism (Week 11-12) The Principles of Anarchism

Collectivist Anarchism

Individualist Anarchism Anarcho-Capitalism

Libertarianism

Anarchist Social Thought

Contemporary Trends Anarchism and Globalism

Summary

Nationalism (Week 13) Definitions & Understandings of the Concepts of Nation,

Nationalism, & Nation-state

Ideas and Fundamental Problem/Questions

Ancient or Modern?

Ethnic or Civic? The Rise and Spread of Nationalism

Challenges towards Nationalism: Regionalism, Cosmopolitanism;Globalisation

Nationalism in Reality: Issues and Practices

The Janus-faced nature of Nationalism: Builder and/or Destroyer

Current Trends Immigration; Separatism, Nationalist Conflicts Summary


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METHODS OF ASSESSMENT Semester Assignment

- Project paper - 40% Mid-Semester Test - 30%

Final Examination - 30%

GRAND TOTAL 100%


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B.1 CRITERIA FOR PROJECT PAPER Type of Project : Group Essay (1 - 5 members per group) Topic/Title : To be Determined by Group (Essay topic

must be directly related to course syllabus)

Essay Instructions

Each group must produce a thesis-defended essay. Thisassignment requires group members to discuss and brain-storm, to develop an essay topic, which is interesting, yet directlyrelated to the lecture topics.

It is compulsory for each group to prepare a proposal and essayframework/ outline (single page) for the chosen topic. Groupmembers are required to meet, discuss, negotiate with, and gain

approval from the lecturer regarding the proposed topic duringWeek No.4.

All groups are required to submit their respective assignmentsbefore or ON WEEK-8 2011 at my office. Late submissions shallincur an automatic penalty of 20 marks deduction.


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Format of Essay: Please ensure that your essay fulfills the following specifications:

Must betyped (double-spaced) using font style Tahoma size 11.

Must be printed on one side of a sheet (no duplex printingallowed).

Must be printed on white A4 papers.

Must be paginated.

Word limit shall be no more than 5,000 words. The total wordcount must be declared at the end of the essay.

Must be in the form of an academic writing, with propercitations,references, and bibliography. For referencing style/system,please use eitherfootnotes orHarvard style/system.

Must have a front coverthat contains the following information:(1) Essay topic/title; (2) coursecode and title/name (3)Semester 1, Session 2011/12; (4) names of group members,

and (5) student numbers. These information must be printedusing font style Tahoma, size 12, andin capital letters.

The front coverof the essay must be printed on white A4paper. You are strictly not permitted touse coloured/scentedpaperand pvc cover.

Must be bound using staples and tape.You are strictly not

permitted to use ring binding.


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Language Essays must be written in Bahasa

Malaysia/Melayu, orEnglishLanguage.

Grading of Essay

Your essay will be graded based on FOUR

elements:(i) content ii) strength and clarityof argument/s (iii) your understanding of

the topic and iv) language and writing

styles.


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B.2. Mid-Semester Test The Mid-Semester Test shall be held in Week No.10. Students will

be informed in due course regarding the exact date. It is compulsoryfor all students of this course to sit for the Test. Failure to do sowithout any valid or justifiable reason shall lead to one beingdeemed as having failed to fulfill the requirements of the course, andtherefore, shall be dealt with the maximum penalty (outright failure) .

B.3. Final Examination The Final Examination shall take place during the official

examination period. The finalised exam schedule will be determinedby the Academic Services Department. It is compulsory for allstudents to sit for the exam. If a student fails to do so, he/she shallbe deemed as having failed to complete the components of

assessment for this course, and therefore shall be automaticallyfailed (outright failure).

In terms of the examination format, the exam paper shall be dividedinto two sections. Section A comprises long essay questions, whileSection B consists of a series of questions that require the studentto provide short and concise answers.


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ESSENTIAL READINGS AND GENERAL REFERENCES Anderson, Benedict. 1991. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and

Spread of Nationalism. London: Verso. Dobson, Andrew. 2003. Citizenship and the Environment. Oxford: Oxford

University Press.

Farrelly, Colin (ed.). 2004. Contemporary Political Theory: A Reader. London:Sage.

Goodin, Robert E. & Philip Pettit (eds.). 1999.A Companion to ContemporaryPolitical Philosophy. Oxford: Blackwell.

_________. (eds.). 2006. Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Anthology(2ndEdn.). Oxford: Blackwell.

Huntington, Samuel P. 1996. The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of theWorld Order. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Kylimcka, Will. 2002. Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction. (2ndEdn.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Rosen, Michael & Wolff, Jonathan. (eds.) 1999. Political Thought. Oxford: OxfordUniversity Press.

Vincent, Andrew. 1992. Modern Political Ideologies. Oxford: Blackwell.* Apart from the above list of suggested readings, students are strongly encourageto read and refer to additional reading materials that are both directly and indirectlyrelated to the lecture topics. Additional reading materials can be obtained from:

i) UMS Library (Politics Section / Book Shelves J; JA JC)

ii), local/international magazines/newspapers/journals (for empirical examples)

iii) electronic resources (e-journal; website, etc.)


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COURSE POLICYD.1 Attendance

D.1.1. Students MUST attend all lectures.

You are only allowed to be absent if you have reasonable and/orjustifiable excuse/s (i.e. emergency, illness, official exemptionfrom school, accident, etc.). If you fail to attend a lecture, but dohave reasonable and/or justifiable excuse/s, you are required tofurnish the course lecturer with an official letter together with anydocument/proof from the relevant authority that supports yourreasons (i.e. medical certificate/letter from UMS panel of doctors).If you do not have any letter/ document of support, but you havewhat you deem as a strong/valid reason to be absent, you are stillrequired to furnish the course lecturer with a show-cause letter

explaining the reason/s for your non-attendance. Students, whogo absent without official leave (AWOL), and fail to provide anyshow-cause letter, shall be penalised and automatically givengrade D.

You must be honest in explaining your failure to attend mylectures. If there is proof that a student has been dishonest,he/she shall be penalised and given grade E.


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D.1.1.2. Attendance Sheet

I will be distributing the attendance sheetduring every lecture, and you are

required to put your initials/signature on the respective lecture date found onthe sheet. You are strictlynotallowed to sign in for the other lecture datesin the attendance sheet. Students found to have committed this graveoffense shall be penalised and automatically given grade D.

You are strictly not allowed to sign in on behalf of your colleagues/lecturemates who are absent. I will be conducting occasional and random checks.Any student absent from a specific lecture day/date, but found to have their

signature/initials on the related space/box in the attendance sheet shall bepenalized and given grade E. The student who signed on behalf (deemedas conspirator) shall be equally penalised, and given a similar grade.

You are not allowed to leave the lecture hall at any time when the lecture iscommencing without permission from the course lecturer. Only the lecturerhas the right to end the lecture. Students found to have left the lecture hallwithout permission before the end of the lecture session will be required to

give the lecturer a valid explanation for this act of disobedience. Failure todo so, and/or if the explanation is found to be unsatisfactory, the studentshall be penalized and given grade D.

D.1.1.3 Late attendance You are not allowed to be late for lectures. You must strive to come on

time and be punctual.


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D.2. Behaviour/Attitude in Class You are strictly not allowed to leave the lecture hall to take a break

while the lecture is commencing. When natures calling, and youneed to go to the restroom, please ask for permission from thecourse lecturer before doing so.

You are strictly not allowed to (1) make noise, (2) play around, (3)

chat with your neighbour/s, (4) behave in an inappropriate manner(5) not pay attention (i.e. texting or answering the mobile, nappingetc.) during lectures and/or class discussions. Those found to havecommitted misbehaviour (1), (2), (3), (4) and/or (5) shall be askedto leave the lecture hall with immediate effect.

You are requested to pay attention and listen to your fellowcolleagues/classmates when they are expressing their views andideas during permitted lecture intervals which are meant fordiscussions. You are requested to wait for your turn if you wouldlike to contribute to the class discussion. Please put up your hand, ifyou intend to do so during the discussion.


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D.3. Policy on Academic Dishonesty I will not tolerate/compromise on any form of

plagiarism, and act of dishonesty (i.e. collusion,

copying, cheating, etc.) that has been

committed, or any attempt to do so by any

student. Students found to have committed

these grave offences, shall be penalized and

given grade E. If two essays are found to be inany way similar in terms of their contents, both

groups of students shall be penalized and given

grade E.


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uk00302 - syllabus- english version - powerpoint

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