Department of Philosophy

PHIL 805 Social and Political Philosophy II

rm190 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:16:13 +0000

PHIL 805 Social and Political Philosophy II rm190 Mon, 06/08/2026 - 12:16

PHIL405

3 Units

In-person

Level 4 or above and [PHIL 250/6.0 or {PHIL 251/3.0 and PHIL 252/3.0}] and [{PHIL 242/3.0 and PHIL 243/3.0} or PHIL 257/6.0]) and ([a minimum CGPA of 2.40] or [a minimum GPA of 2.70 in all 300-level PHIL]) and (9.0 units of PHIL at the 300-level) and (registration in a PHIL Plan).

Cross Listed with PHIL 405

N/A

Seminars

The required readings are available online on E-reserve through the University library

Instructor: Will Kymlicka

Mainstream political theory asks us to think of the world as divided into bounded societies, to think of ourselves as citizens or members of such societies, and then asks us to focus in the first instance on what we owe each other as members of a shared society, either by way of sharing power through democracy or sharing resources through the welfare state. Duties of global justice are seen as analytically separate, and often weaker, tied to more modest requirements of humanitarianism. This basic dualist structure of political theory – and its underlying vision of a world divided into nation-states as the containers of democracy and the welfare state – is subject to increasing critique. Dualist political theory stands accused of obscuring and legitimizing the violence done to Indigenous peoples and racialized minorities in creating and reproducing these national containers, of ignoring the ways nation-states are implicated in global inequalities; and of failing to provide the tools for addressing urgent global issues such as migration and climate change. A growing number of theorists argue for rejecting dualism, and moving towards a more cosmopolitan or post-national approach that divorces democracy and the welfare state from ideas of membership in bounded national containers, and that dissolves the sharp distinction between domestic and global justice. This course will explore dualist theory and its critics. We will begin by focusing on one core feature of dualist theory - namely, the idea (and ideal) of society as a “common possession” of its members, and why this ideal has been so central to many theories of democracy and solidarity. We will then consider whether this ideal is still relevant in the face of challenges of migration, decolonization, globalization and the environmental crisis.

Assessments

A combination of written assignments, class participation and in-class presentations

Fall

400 Level Course

PHIL 376 Philosophy and Feminism

rm190 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 16:03:49 +0000

PHIL 376 Philosophy and Feminism rm190 Mon, 06/08/2026 - 12:03

PHIL376

3 Units

In-person

Prerequisite ([6.0 units in PHIL or GNDS at the 200-level or above] and [6.0 units in PHIL or GNDS]) or permission of the Department.

None.

N/A

Lectures

A selection of articles and chapters will be available as a printed PHIL 376 F26 course reader (which students are expected to bring to class), as well as electronically on the Perusall platform.

Instructor: Jacqueline Davies

Feminism is a political movement (or many movements) organized in resistance to women’s oppression. It is theorized out of shared experiences of those in these movements, especially those who voices have been privileged. Historically and politically specific conditions shape how the category “woman” is constructed in theory and practice. They also affect how diverse modes of women’s oppression are conceived, for example, in relation to such forces as “classical” patriarchy, bourgeois capitalism, white supremacy and colonialism, as well as cis- and hetero-normativity. Feminist thought has also been developed with and against the work of non-feminist philosophers, liberation theorists and movement leaders. Our study of feminist theory will attend to some of these diverse influences. Looking backwards in the history of European philosophy we’ll consider the erasure of early modern women from the “canon” as well as feminist philosophical engagement with ancient Greek classics. We’ll consider key figures in 20th century feminist thought who imagined women’s experience relatively uninflected by race, class, and colonialism (e.g., Simone de Beauvoir, Mary Daly, Carol Gilligan, and Carole Pateman) and read analyses of oppression, resistance and resurgence shaped by attention to experiences at the intersections of gender, Indigeneity, colonialism, transphobia, and white supremacism (e.g., Patricia Monture-Angus, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, the Combahee River Collective, Sandy Stone, and Jasbir Puar). Philosophical reading skills are emphasized, as is the capacity to think critically about our assumptions and their political and philosophical implications. Students are supported in further developing their capacity for clear oral and written analysis, exposition, and argument.

Assessments

There are 15 online active-reading assignments (Perusalls), an essay-style midterm exam, a final written exam, and the option of an orally examined essay. Regular attendance is required. Participation grades depend on completion of in-class writing exercises and other in-person activities in the interactive classroom.

Fall

300 Level Course

PHIL 233 Greek Philosophy

rm190 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:24:19 +0000

PHIL 233 Greek Philosophy rm190 Mon, 06/08/2026 - 11:24

PHIL233

3 Units

In-person

None.

None

N/A

Lectures

Plato, Republic, and Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics. These are both available at the campus bookstore.

Instructor: Paul Fairfield

This course will examine two foundational texts in ancient Greek philosophy and in the western tradition as a whole: Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics. While neither text makes for easy reading, fear not. If you read them patiently, read my lecture notes, and come to class regularly, you will have a good understanding of these philosophers’ ideas by the end of the semester. The class format will be a combination of lectures, discussion, and debates.

Assessments

Students will write one essay of 2500-3000 words, to be worth 50% of the grade. 10% of the grade will be for class participation, and the remaining 40% will be for in-class debate participation. These will be formally structured debates. Each student will participate in two debates, to be worth 20% each, depending on enrollment.

Fall

200 Level Course

Dr. Margaret Moore (Political Studies, Philosophy) published an article in The Globe and Mail

rm190 — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:43:28 +0000

Dr. Margaret Moore (Political Studies, Philosophy) published an article in The Globe and Mail rm190 Wed, 05/20/2026 - 09:43

Kerah Gordon-Solmon publishes an opinion piece in The Toronto Star

rm190 — Wed, 20 May 2026 13:26:22 +0000

Kerah Gordon-Solmon publishes an opinion piece in The Toronto Star rm190 Wed, 05/20/2026 - 09:26

Sculpture to commemorate Kingston’s untold heritage is next step of Toppling Monuments Research Project

rm190 — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:35:02 +0000

Sculpture to commemorate Kingston’s untold heritage is next step of Toppling Monuments Research Project rm190 Tue, 04/28/2026 - 09:35

Christine Sypnowich publishes ‘Your Property Isn’t Really Yours’ in popular philosophy collection

rm190 — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:36:54 +0000

Christine Sypnowich publishes ‘Your Property Isn’t Really Yours’ in popular philosophy collection rm190 Fri, 04/10/2026 - 09:36

Sergio Sismondo is featured in hard-hitting video on pharmaceutical companies

rm190 — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:34:08 +0000

Sergio Sismondo is featured in hard-hitting video on pharmaceutical companies rm190 Fri, 04/10/2026 - 09:34

PhD Candidate Sofie Vlaad’s latest article focuses on the aesthetics of AI

rm190 — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:29:56 +0000

PhD Candidate Sofie Vlaad’s latest article focuses on the aesthetics of AI rm190 Fri, 04/10/2026 - 09:29

Kerah Gordon-Solmon compares ChatGPT to a psychopath in the Toronto Star

rm190 — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 17:16:24 +0000

Kerah Gordon-Solmon compares ChatGPT to a psychopath in the Toronto Star rm190 Mon, 03/30/2026 - 13:16