Ideas in Politics explores some of the central ideas, values and debates in politics today. Some of the main discussions surround ideas of freedom, human rights, democracy, equality and justice. There are also intense debates around issues of gender, sexuality and the environment. We will also ask whether - and to what extent - Australia and similar societies are really free, democratic and just. An understanding of these issues and debates also helps to make sense of key political ideologies like liberalism, conservatism and socialism, feminism and ecology. A second major aim of this Course is to develop intellectual skills of critical thinking, reading and discussion as well as the effective presentation of ideas.

After successful completion of this course, students should:

• Understand the essentially contested nature of key concepts of political theory.
• Demonstrate knowledge of major competing interpretations of key values and corresponding political ideologies.
• Demonstrate knowledge of some major figures in the history of political thought including Hobbes, Locke, Mill and Marx.
• To develop strong oral presentation, research, writing, critical and analytical skills.

Essay 2500 words (45%), examination (45%) and tutorial work (10%).

Lectures will be recorded and notes will be available on the web. Students will be expected to spend an average of seven hours per week in addition to three contact hours (two hours of lectures, one hour tutorial) in order to prepare for tutorials, conduct research and write the written assignments as well as to prepare for the final examination.

Heywood, A., Political Theory: An Introduction, Third edition (Macmillan, 2004)