Political Thinkers of the Late Twentieth Century
| Module title | Political Thinkers of the Late Twentieth Century |
|---|---|
| Module code | POC3124 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| 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 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: Simone de Beauvoir, Ayn Rand, Hannah Arendt, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott, Malcolm X, Frantz Fanon, Mao Zedong, Murray Bookchin, Paulo Freire & Audre Lorde.
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 | 10 x 2 hour seminars |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | 1-2 pages | 1-6 | Peer review and verbal comments in class |
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 | 60 | 2,500 words | 1-6 | Verbal and written comments |
| Commentaries on selected texts | 40 | 2,000 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | Essay (2,500 words) | 1-6 | August/September assessment period |
| Commentaries on selected texts | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-6 | August/September assessment 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.
Simone de Beauvoir [1949] The Second Sex
Frantz Fanon [1961] The Wretched of the Earth
Michael Oakeshott [1962] Rationalism in Politics and Other Essays
Malcolm X [1965] The Autobiography of Malcolm X
Mao Zedong [1967] Quotations from Chairman Mao Tse-tung [The Little Red Book]
Hannah Arendt [1970] On Violence
Michael Foucault [1976] The History of Sexuality
Paulo Freire [1970] Pedagogy of the Oppressed
Audre Lorde [2007] Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches
| 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 | 18/12/2018 |