Theories of Social Justice

Description

This course offers a rich grounding in moral, social, and political philosophy with a focus on questions concerning social justice. Students will engage in a critical analysis of contemporary theories of social justice. Such theories advance principles for the moral assessment of social institutions in light of how they affect people. These institutions include laws and other social rules governing what kinds of goods can be owned by whom and how they are distributed, how markets and production systems are structured, what prospects various groups have, and, in general, how people pursue the good in their lives. The course will explore questions of institutional design and public policy in the context of real-world social injustices including social and material inequality; racial, gender, and sexuality-based oppression; and climate change. The course will also look at practical questions related to advancing social justice including civil disobedience, and duties to assist victims of injustice and to fight for structural social change. Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to: examine and describe major philosophical issues, theories, and positions concerning social justice; evaluate ideas and also critical responses to them in the literature related to social justice; discuss and analyse current issues in ethics and politics relating to social institutions; develop detailed and well-structured written arguments that defend conclusions concerning social justice; and engage in well-reasoned oral discussion and debate, verbalising their interpretations and criticisms of the various ideas discussed throughout the course.