People make decisions which can affect others (beyond immediate family or friends) - political decisions - and judgements about what is right for a society and about whether those in power are doing what is right for that society. Political philosophers also deal with these issues, but in a more systematic way than most of us are able to in day to day life. The course will give you an indication of what political philosophers do - thinking about the meaning of politics (is every social interaction political ?); defining concepts such as justice, authority or freedom; seeking to understand our current political situation by exploring political ideas of the past; debating justifications of political power and authority; designing principles for collective action and the organisation of society. Knowledge of philosophy is not expected.
Course aim
The aim of the course is to give students an indication of what political philosophers do - the kinds of questions they ask and how they try to answer them
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- put my own understanding of politics into words at the beginning of the course
- explain at least one of the definitions of politics used by political philosophers
- explain in outline at least one of the activities of political philosophers
- indicate whether my understanding of politics has changed at all at the end of the course
- take part in activities and discussions
What else do I need to know?
This is an online course. You will need an email address, reliable Internet access, and a CANVAS account. Help with CANVAS is available from the national WEA team.
View full course information sheet
