Political Thinkers of the Early Twentieth Century
| Module title | Political Thinkers of the Early Twentieth Century |
|---|---|
| Module code | POC3120 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Andrew Schaap (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 25 |
|---|
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: Anna Julia Cooper, W.E.B. Du Bois, Emma Goldman, Rosa Luxemburg, Max Weber, Virginia Wolf, Vladimir Lenin, Mahatma Gandhi, Carl Schmitt, Antonio Gramsci, George Orwell, Simone Weil, and Claudia Jones.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 130 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity | 20 | Weekly seminars (10 x 2 hours) |
| Guided Independent Study | 40 | Reading and preparation for seminars |
| Guided Independent Study | 90 | Preparation and completion of assessment tasks |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formative presentation | 15 minutes | 1-6 | Peer review and verbal comments |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group project (3-4 members) | 20 | 3,500 words | 1-6 | Verbal and written comments |
| Portfolio | 80 | 3,500 words | 1-6 | Written comments |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group project (3-4 members) (3,500 words) | Essay (1,000 words) (20%) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
| Portfolio (3,500 words) | Portfolio (3,500 words) (80%) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 18/12/2018 |
| Last revision date | 21/02/2025 |
