16.7 2nd and 3rd years Prof CAJ Coady. One first-year single-semester Philosophy subject. Students who lack this prerequisite, but believe themselves adequately prepared to attempt any second/third year subjects, should consult the Head of Department. Second semester Up to three hours a week. After completion of the subject students should have:

• a sound general understanding of the central issues of contemporary political philosophy and of the theories that have been developed to deal with them;
• the ability to demonstrate a deep and detailed familiarity of some important contemporary theories by applying them to central problems.

This subject examines the lively philosophical debate around the ideas of citizenship, nationalism and republicanism following the critiques and defences of liberalism that have emerged in the two decades since the publication of John Rawls's important book, A Theory of Justice. One 2-hour end-of-semester examination (50 per cent) and an assignment of no more than 3,000 words (50 per cent).