Introductory description

This masters level module covers prominent debates about justice and equality within contemporary moral and political theory. A central focus of the module is on the ideal of equality. This ideal has been elaborated and defended by the world’s leading political philosophers over the past four decades. The module examines some of the most prominent accounts of equality, and considers whether it ought to figure in our practical deliberations, and, if so, how. It is designed to develop your skills in the identification, interpretation and evaluation of relevant texts in contemporary political philosophy.

The focus of the first part of the module is some of the leading proponents of egalitarian justice in recent political philosophy. The second part of the module will cover selected debates concerning the potential implications of (egalitarian) justice for public policy and individual action, such as the following: What does justice demand with respect to the distribution of education? Does achieving racial equality require the pursuit of policies of integration? Should relational egalitarians care about “microaggressions”?

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

During the module, we will study topics such as the following: John Rawls, Justice as Fairness and the Difference Principle; John Tomasi's Free Market Fairness; Ronald Dworkin and Elizabeth Anderson; Social Inequality and Discrimination; Justice & Race; Educational Justice.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the most prominent conceptions of egalitarian justice in recent moral and political theory
• Analyse and evaluate at an advanced level opposing normative arguments concerning justice and equality
• demonstrate enhanced key skills such as written and oral communication skills, problem solving, working with others, and information technology skills
• devise a viable research essay topic relevant to the module
• construct and substantiate a comprehensive and sophisticated argument

Indicative reading list

John Rawls, A Theory of Justice; John Tomasi, Free Market Fairness, Elizabeth Anderson, "What Is The Point of Equality?", Miranda Fricker, Epistemic Injustice: Power and the Ethics of Knowing; Adam Swift, How not to be a hypocrite: school choice for the morally perplexed parent; Elizabeth Anderson, The Imperative of Integration.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

By the end of the modules students will be able to:

Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the most prominent conceptions of egalitarian justice in recent moral and political theory

Analyse and evaluate at an advanced level opposing normative arguments concerning justice and equality

Demonstrate enhanced key skills such as written and oral communication skills, problem solving, working with others, and information technology skills

Devise a viable research essay topic relevant to the module

Construct and substantiate a comprehensive and sophisticated argument

Transferable skills

Advanced critical thinking and analytical skills, such as identifying premises and conclusions of arguments; determining whether the conclusions follow from the premises; and understanding the practical implications of theoretical commitments.

Advanced oral and written communication skills: constructing a case for a particular position, and defending a particular viewpoint, both orally and in writing.