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Political Thinkers of the Late Twentieth Century

Module description

The social transformations that took place within the context of decolonization and the cold war in the late twentieth century gave rise to a rich array of political ideas. This module will explore the biographies and texts of a range of thinkers who introduced innovative concepts into our political vocabulary. While some of the thinkers we will examine have become canonical, we will also consider the work of others who are more often overlooked. The module will consider how the ideas of these thinkers were shaped by the historical context in which they wrote, the broad ideological positions that they articulated and the idiosyncrasies associated with their individual biographies.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to introduce you to the work of several exemplary thinkers of the late twentieth century who sometimes also participated in the events that they wrote about. It will encourage you to read closely some key political texts that have animated political action and influenced political reflection since their publication. The module aims to provoke critical reflection by engaging with ideas that challenge conventional assumptions about the meaning, possibilities and limits of democratic politics.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. demonstrate substantive knowledge of the thinkers and texts studied;
• 2. understand 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. appreciate 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 the work of a range of thinkers from the late 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 sexual liberation, decolonization, power and violence) and ideologies (such as conservativism, feminism, communism and black power). An indicative list of thinkers whose work the module might examine includes: Michel Foucault, Angela Davis, Paulo Freire, Michael Oakeshott, Friedrich von Hayek, Stuart Hall, Simone de Beauvoir, Hannah Arendt & Frantz Fanon.

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

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.

Arendt, Arendt (1963) Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil. New York: Viking Press.

Davis, Angela (1998) The Angela Y. Davis Reader, ed. Joy James. London: Blackwell.

de Beauvoir, Simone (1953) The Second Sex. London: Jonathan Cape.

Hall, Stuart (2017) Selected Political Writings: The Great Moving Right Show and other essays. Durham: Duke University Press.

Hayek, Friedrich (1944) The Road to Serfdom. London: Routledge.

Fanon, Frantz (1961) The Wretched of the Earth.

Foucault, Michel (1977) Discipline and Punish. London: Pantheon Books.

Freire, Paolo (1970) Pedagogy of the Oppressed. New York: Herder & Herder.

Lorde, Audre (1984) Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches. Berkeley: Crossing Press.

Oakeshott, Michael (1962) Rationalism in Politics and Other Essays. London: Metheun.

Key words search

Political theory; history of political thought