• Home
• Study
• Study Information
• Modules
• Module Information

Political Thinkers of the Early Twentieth Century

Module description

The turbulent context of the early twentieth century gave rise to a rich array of political ideas based on the experiences of hope and despair at the incredible human power to create and destroy the social and natural world that it witnessed. In this module you will explore some seminal political ideas of the first half of the twentieth century by exploring the fascinating biographies and texts of a range of exemplary political thinkers. You will consider how their ideas were shaped by the historical context in which they wrote, the broad ideological positions that they articulated and the idiosyncrasies associated with their unique biographies.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to introduce you to the work of several exemplary thinkers of the early twentieth century who were often also participants in the events they reflected on. You will be encouraged to read closely and interpret seminal political texts that informed and animated these thinkers’ contemporaries and have continued to be read and to influence political actors since their publication. The module aims to enhance your understanding of the relation between the biographies of the thinkers examined, the historical context in which they wrote and their enduring significance for contemporary political life.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate detailed and substantive knowledge of the thinkers and texts studied
• 2. Understand and critically reflect on the role that various thinkers and debates have played in shaping modern political thought

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Assess the coherence, plausibility and significance of political arguments
• 4. Critically evaluate how political concepts are shaped and transformed by historical context and deployment in action

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Present complex arguments with clarity and concision
• 6. Communicate effectively in speech and writing

Syllabus plan

The module will survey a range of exemplary thinkers and texts from the early twentieth century. While the specific thinkers and texts surveyed may vary from year to year, they will be selected to reflect a range of themes (such as freedom, revolution, oppression and social order) and ideologies (such as conservativism, socialism, anarchism, libertarianism). An indicative list of thinkers whose work the module might examine includes: W.E.B. Du Bois, Emma Goldman, Rosa Luxemburg, Vladimir Lenin, Mahatma Gandhi, Carl Schmitt, Benito Mussolini, Antonio Gramsci, Simone Weil, and Friedrich August von Hayek.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

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.

W.E.B. Du Bois [1903] The Souls of Black Folks

Emma Goldman [1910] Anarchism and Other Essays

Rosa Luxemburg [1906] The Mass Strike, Political Party and the Trade Unions

Vladimir Lenin [1917] The State and Revolution

Mahatma Gandhi [1920] ‘The Doctrine of the Sword’ and other selected texts from The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi.

Carl Schmitt [1932] The Concept of the Political

Simone Weil [1934] ‘Reflections on the Causes of Liberty and Social Oppression’

Friedrich August von Hayek [1944] The Road to Serfdom

Key words search

Political theory; history of political thought