SDG Detail

PHIL 225 : Power, Critique and Emancipation

Undergraduate course

Project description

A central theme of the course is the phenomenon of power. What is power? How does power emerge and how does it impact upon social relationships? What are power structures and why do they matter? Are relations of power always illegitimate? How should we understand concepts such as domination, subordination and oppression? Are such concepts relevant to a theory of justice? Finally, how can illegitimate power be resisted in order to achieve a more just society? What role should be played by democratic politics, activism and social critique?

Year 2022

Location New Zealand

Organization University of Auckland

Project aims

Project outcome

By the end of this course, students will be able to: Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of power concepts (Capability 1.1) Identify and describe structures of power at work in real life situations (Capability 1.2) Analyse philosophical approaches to power and evaluate their critical usefulness (Capability 2.3) Communicate insights into the workings of power in the contemporary world (Capability 4.1 and 4.2) Evaluate and critically respond to life experiences and social issues (Capability 6.3)