Undergraduate Course: Freedom, Consent and Political Obligation (PHIL10176)

Course Outline
School	School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences	College	College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)	SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate)	Availability	Not available to visiting students
SCQF Credits	20	ECTS Credits	10
Summary	A course in political philosophy conducted by an examination of three fundamental concepts: freedom, consent and obligations to the state. The seminar-based course is oriented around the discussion of focal works by mostly twentieth-century philosophers.
Course description	A course in political philosophy conducted by an examination of three fundamental concepts: freedom, consent and obligations to the state. The seminar-based course is oriented around the discussion of focal works by mostly twentieth-century philosophers. The guiding idea is that understanding these concepts provides insights into different constructions of legitimate government and political authority. We will consider each concept several times to understand the varieties of ways in which the concepts may be defined. The course will begin with a discussion of the idea of political philosophy and conclude with a consideration of the extent to which the political can be treated separately from the moral where similar considerations of freedom, consent and obligation exist.

Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites	Students MUST have passed: Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017) AND Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014)	Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations		Other requirements	Students who have not taken Knowledge and Reality (PHIL08017) and Mind, Matter and Language (PHIL08014) must gain permission from the Course Organiser before enrolling on this course. Students studying on MA Cognitive Science (Humanities) are permitted to take this course without having met the pre-requisites of Mind, Matter and Language and Knowledge and Reality. However, it is advisable that students discuss the suitability of the course with their PT and the course organiser before enrolling.

Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered

Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to: Explain how several fundamental political concepts are combined to conceive of legitimate government. Understand how to address questions such as "How is political authority possible?" or "Do we have a duty to obey the state?" Articulate the differences between the political, moral, public and private spheres of activity. Conduct conceptual analysis of inter-related, abstract concepts. Give clear, structured arguments in favour of or against a proffered conceptual analysis, revision or elaboration.