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Inequality and Public Policy (PHIL90032)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5Not available in 2022
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
Overview
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This subject examines the way in which egalitarian political philosophy offers moral guidance in a variety of policy-making contexts. After examining some philosophical treatments of the fundamental, abstract value of equality, our attention will turn to more specific ways in such philosophical theorising can influence public policy: How should a concern for equality guide policy about education, unemployment, and other important public services? Should unemployed people have their benefits cut if they refuse to take a job they don't want? Does affirmative action make society fairer, or discriminate against hard-working high achievers? Do private schools allow rich people to buy an unfair advantage for their children? General concepts to be discussed include egalitarian concerns about stigmatisation, shame, social integration, and oppression – as well as how policy might seek to address them.
Intended learning outcomes
Students who complete this subject will:
- Understand important philosophical analyses of the value of equality and its role in guiding the study of distributive justice;
- Be able to interpret these analyses so as to critically assess the case for and against policy proposals in areas such as education, unemployment, and religious toleration;
- Appreciate the relation between egalitarian thought and attempts to use public policies to address problems of stigmatisation, status hierarchy, unfairness, and others.
Last updated: 3 December 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 December 2022
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
A critical review of a week's readings, due at the end of week 3
| Week 3 | 20% |
A research essay
| During the examination period | 80% |
| Hurdle requirement: Students are required to attend a minimum of 75% of classes in order to pass this subject and regular class participation is expected. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
Submission of all assessment is required to pass this subject. Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 2% per working day. After five working days, assessment submitted without an approved extension will not be marked. There is no provision for late submission of in class tasks without permission.
Last updated: 3 December 2022
Dates & times
Not available in 2022
Time commitment details
170 hours
Additional delivery details
This subject is for students admitted into the Master of Arts in Professional and Applied Ethics or MC-EMA Executive master of Arts or 344AB Master of Public Policy and Management or another Masters by Coursework programme at the University of Melbourne with coordinator approval. Exceptions may be made for students at honours level, who may enrol with the approval of both their discipline coordinator and the subject coordinator.
Last updated: 3 December 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Subject readings will be available online
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation 200 points Master of Arts (Professional and Applied Ethics) Informal specialisation 100 Point Master of Arts (Professional and Applied Ethics) Major Tailored Specialisation - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Subject coordinator approval required
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 December 2022