Classical Political Thought
| Module title | Classical Political Thought |
|---|---|
| Module code | POC1030 |
| Academic year | 2020/1 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Karen Scott (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 50 |
|---|
Module description
This module will introduce you to a rich history of political ideas in classical Greece and Rome and you will develop a critical appreciation of their powerful legacy. We will cover philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle as well as the work of artists such as Homer, Aeschylus and Aristophanes who interpreted and dramatised the political realm in these cultures. You will learn about Socrates and his mode of questioning regarding how things can be rationally justified. You will critically explore how philosophers have sought to construct political, social and ethical life (and the relations between these) in one way as opposed to another. No prior knowledge or skills required except enthusiasm for the topic.
Module aims - intentions of the module
- To critically contextualise and analyse political thought and practice in this period through the study of selected texts by (or relating to) major literary figures and philosophers.
- To introduce you to textual analysis connected with this tradition.
- To equip you to critically assess scholarly interpretations of the texts against the texts themselves.
- To critically explore the place of classical political ideas in the development and decolonisation of Western political thought.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate understanding of the historical and cultural context of political ideas of the Greek and Roman classical period.
- 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the major political ideas and theories of ancient Greece and Rome and to critically evaluate different interpretations of them.
- 3. Critically evaluate this periods impact on the development and decolonisation of Western political thought
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Understand, summarise and interpret complex and abstract arguments in politics.
- 5. Identify and discuss the major concepts deployed in a text and their argumentative articulation.
- 6. Critically analyse taken for granted assumptions about the Western tradition and the canon of political thought in general
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 7. Engage in independent critical research to evaluate ideas, arguments and texts.
- 8. Develop and assess communication skills through interacting with peers.
- 9. Develop skills in using feedback and formative assessment to identify areas of weakness and strengthen practice.
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
- Historical context of Greek and Roman political ideas in the classical period (from Homer to Hypatia)
- Cultural influence of the classical period on political thought
- Critically exploring the Western tradition and canon
- The Socratic method
- Plato’s Republic: conceptions of justice; theory of Forms; the Ideal State
- Aristotle’s Ethics and Politics: the state as a product of nature: citizenship, women and natural slavery; constitutions
- Epicureanism
- The Stoics
- Cicero on: freedom and political duty; the republic; stoicism
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 26.5 | 123.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 16.5 | 11 x 1.5 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 10 | 10 x 1 hour seminars are based on lecture topics |
| Guided Independent Study | 62.5 | Reading set texts and secondary material |
| Guided Independent Study | 11 | Preparation for lectures and seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 50 | Preparation for assessments |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group project (3-5 students) | 500 words per student | 2-4, 9 | Verbal feedback |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 70 | 2500 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
| Textual analysis | 30 | 1000 words | 1-9 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (2,500 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
| Textual analysis | Textual analysis (1,000 words) | 1-9 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
Plato: The Republic
Aristotle: Nichomachean Ethics and The Politics
Epicurus: Letter to Heroditus and The Principle Doctrines
Cicero: On the Republic and On Duties
Janet Coleman. 2000. A History of Political Thought: From Ancient Greece to Early Christianity. Oxford: Blackwell
Melissa Lane. (2014). Greek and Roman Political Ideas. Pelican
Annas, J. 1981. An Introduction to Plato’s Republic. Oxford: Clarendon.
Mills, C. W. (2015) Decolonizing Western Political Philosophy.New Political Science Volume 37 Issue 1 Northwestern University, USA
Inwood, B. (1997). Hellenistic Philosophy: Introductory Readings. Indiana: Hackett Publishing Company
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
http://classics.mit.edu/Browse/index.html
Epicurus Letter to Herodotus http://www.epicurus.net/en/herodotus.html
Epicurus The Principle Doctrines http://www.epicurus.net/en/principal.html
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 01/10/2008 |
| Last revision date | 17/07/2020 |