This course examines the proposition that the Western political-philosophical tradition is based on conscious lying. Political theorists such as Plato, Machiavelli, Strauss and members of the neoconservative persuasion have tried to keep certain truths from the public lest they lead to social decay. Liberal thinkers, on the other hand, are convinced in the emancipating potential of overarching truths. The first part of the course explores these strands of thought and is concerned with understanding how and why lying has become central to politics as we know it.

The second part of the course concerns the implications of political lying and includes an analysis of the Culture Wars, the politics of fear and political language and writing. The third part of the course looks at lies from the bottom up, drawing from the ideas of Antonio Gramsci, Michel de Certeau and James C. Scott. It asks what ordinary people might have to gain and lose from believing lies and questions whether they are capable of resisting oppression and deception by manufacturing their own tactical fictions. At the end of the course we will revisit and scrutinise the initial proposition and, whether we agree with it or not, ask how we might be more ethical and honest in politics.

Students have two options:

Article analysis (6%); 2,500 word essay (47%); Formal Examination (47%)

or

A 2 hour lecture and 1 hour tutorial for 11 weeks. On some weeks option films and documentaries will be show after the lecture. 

In addition to the contact hours, an average of 6 hours per week should be spent preparing for tutorials for the assessment pieces.

George Orwell's 1984