Social Political Philosophy [2506]

General Information

• Credits: 6 ECTS
• Prerequisites: baccalaureate level or equivalent; proficiency in English
• Learning format: asynchronous distance learning – 100% e-learning
• Language of instruction: English
• Course access: available at any time of year
• Disability liaison officer: Cécile Boucherle

Course Overview

This course intends to familiarize the students with the debates and contributions of the main philosophical scholars and theories which have developed through history from the time of Greek Sophists through the XXth century. Based on the Aristotelian assumption that man is a by nature a political animal, the course intends to give ultimate answers to questions such as how material goods should be distributed; on what basis people should possess property; what are the justified reasons why some people have more properties than others; why political power has to exist; what kinds of governments are acceptable; what does it determine the correct balance between authority and autonomy; what is the right balance between private and common good; what are the justified limits to my/your freedom. 

Learning Outcomes

This course enables you to:

• define social political philosophy as a normative discipline, and distinguish it from political science;
• situate the historical development of political thought, from Plato and Aristotle to Machiavelli and the Enlightenment;
• compare the modern rival ideologies: utilitarianism, capitalism, Marxism, totalitarianism and Rawls' justice as fairness; and
• analyse contemporary movements — nationalism, socialism, libertarianism, feminism — on the balance between collective goals and individual rights.

Course Competencies

This course is linked to the following competency:

• Analyse the philosophical foundations of politics, society and law.

Course Outline

Section 1: Historical contributions on social political thought

Section 2: Historical contributions on social political thought - Key Catholic Contributions

Section 3: Historical contributions on social political thought - Pre-Enlightenment & Protestant Thought Emerges

Section 4: Historical contributions on social political thought - Modern Political Thinking

Section 5: Historical Contributions to Social Political Thought - Contemporary Thinkers

Section 6: Contemporary social political issues 

Assessment Methods 

Course assessment is based on:

• tracking and completion of the course and of all learning activities. These activities, designed as essential practice and learning exercises, may be completed multiple times and are not factored into the final grade; and
• the final assessment quiz, which constitutes the graded evaluation.

Learning Format

The course is taught entirely online via the MyDomuni platform, accessible 24/7.
Learning resources include:

• written course materials;
• supplementary documents and, depending on the content, video resources;
• interactive learning activities (quizzes, exercises); and
• a discussion forum with the course instructor and fellow participants.

Prerequisites

This course is open to anyone with a general level of education equivalent to the baccalaureate, or with personal or academic experience related to the topics covered.

A good command of written English is recommended to facilitate understanding of the content and participation in the activities offered.

Accessibility

The course is accessible at any time, from any internet-connected device, via the MyDomuni platform.
For students with disabilities, specific support can be arranged upon request to ensure equitable access to course content and activities.

Disability liaison officer: cecile.boucherle@domuni.eu.

Selective Bibliography

• Leo Strauss (ed.), History of Political Philosophy, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1990.
• Ronald Santoni and John Somerville (eds.), Social and Political Philosophy: Readings from Plato to Gandhi, New York, Alfred A. Knopf, 1963.
• William L. McBride, Social and Political Philosophy, New York, Paragon House, 1994.
• Jonathan Wolff, An Introduction to Political Philosophy, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1996.
• Antonio Rosmini, The Philosophy of Politics, Vol. I, The Summary Cause for the Stability or Downfall of Human Societies, Alpha International Enterprises, 2019.