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Colonialism, Race and Human Rights - PHIL2511
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Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
 
 
School:  School of History and Philosophy
 
 
Course Outline: http://philosophy.arts.unsw.edu.au/
 
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.125 (more info)
 
 
Contact Hours per Week: 3
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
Prerequisite: 36 units of credit
 
 
Fee Band: 1 (more info)
 
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
 

Description

Examination of the treatment of race, colonialism and colonised peoples in the history of political philosophy and in contemporary debates. We will critically examine arguments for and against the rights of colonised indigenous peoples, the relationship between group specific and human rights, and philosophical responses to historical injustice. Topics include the relationship between colonialism and European theories of property and government, theories of historical injustice and the justification of reparations, arguments for minority cultural rights, legal and political reponses to cultural difference, rights to self-determination.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to introduce the range of philosophical issues raised by current debates over colonialism and postcolonialism. It will provide conceptual tools and skills useful in critical thought about the justification, consequences of and responses to European colonisation. Upon completing this course, students are expected to be able to:
  • Identify the key philosophical issues in contemporary debates about race and colonisation
  • Recognise and appraise normative political philosophical arguments in relation to these issues
  • Apply critical and conceptual thought to past and ongoing consequences of colonisation
  • Evaluate critically the strengths and weaknesses of different political philosophical approaches to colonial and post-colonial institutions and practices
  • Display skills associated with scholarly inquiry in the discipline of political philosophy, including those related to information literacy, critical analysis, argument and written expression.

Assessment

  • Essay 1 (2500 words) - 45%
  • Essay 2 (2500 words) - 45%
  • Class presentation - 10%

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