Political Thought of Modernity
| Module title | Political Thought of Modernity |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL2059 |
| Academic year | 2019/0 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Iain Hampsher-Monk (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 175 |
|---|
Module description
This module will introduce you to the major idioms of political theorising and ideological discourses (e.g. Republicanism, Liberalism, Romanticism, Idealism, Historicism - idealist and materialist, Utilitarianism) from C18th and C19th Europe through the study of selected texts by the major thinkers in the period. You will be introduced to the major themes and issues addressed in these texts and some of the major interpretations offered of those texts.
Module aims - intentions of the module
To introduce you to the major idioms of political theorising and ideological discourses (e.g. Republicanism, Liberalism, Romanticism, Idealism, Historicism - idealist and materialist, Utilitarianism) from C18th and C19th Europe through the study of selected texts by the major thinkers in the period. To introduce you to the major themes and issues addressed in these texts and some of the major interpretations offered of those texts. To develop your ability to critically assess such interpretations against the texts themselves. To understand the significance of some of the major historical events and contexts both in reading and understanding those texts and as topics addressed in the formation of early modern and modern states, the role of religious controversy, civil war, emergence of commercial society, the French Revolution, industrial capitalism.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate knowledge of major Western political theories of the modern period (Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Marx and J.S. Mill);
- 2. understand, summarise and interpret complex and abstract arguments in politics and summarise and precis a political theory;
- 3. appreciate the part played by these theories in the emergence of modern understandings of the state and politics;
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. identify and discuss the major concepts deployed in a theory and their argumentative articulation;
- 5. engage in both sympathetic interpretation and reasoned criticism of such theories, and to evaluate different interpretations in the light of appropriate evidence;
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 6. evaluate ideas, arguments and texts;
- 7. prepare essays and presentations
- 8. learn from others by undertaking peer evaluation and take a critical attitude towards your work
Syllabus plan
Themes and authors covered may vary slightly from year to year. Some of the authors and themes covered may comprise:
Rousseau’s critique of civilisation, the origins of inequality and its consequence; The Social Contract and the General Will.
Burke on rationalism and custom, radical and conservative Freedom, and Burkes response to the French Revolution and his critics.
Paine and Natural Rights theory.
Wollstonecraft and the beginning of feminism thought; the socialization of men and women.
Kants ideas of the Enlightenment, of Public right, of Perpetual peace and cosmopolitan duties.
Hegels Philosophy of Rights account of abstract right, civil society, the state, international order and world history.
From Hegel to Marx: the critique of religion and the materialisation of alienation.
Marxs theory of history, structure and change; his critique of capitalism.
Mills Utilitarianism, his essay On Liberty, and The Subjection of Women.
Nietzsche on the death of God and the illusion of morality, on Overman and its implications for politics.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 27.5 | 122.5 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and teaching activity | 163.5 | 11 x 1.5 hour lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and teaching activity | 10 | 10 x 1 hour tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning and teaching activity | 1 | Review Session |
| Guided Independent Learning | 122.5 | Independent study |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discussions in lectures and tutorials | During lectures and tutorials | 1-6, 8 | Verbal |
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 one | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-8 | Written |
| Essay two | 50 | 2,000 words | 1-8 | Written |
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 one | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-8 | August/September assessment period |
| Essay two | Essay (2,000 words) | 1-8 | August/September assessment period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Indicative Basic Reading List
I. Kant: Political Writings (Cambridge, ed., Reiss)
F. G. Hegel: Philosophy of Right
K. Marx:, Selected Writings (Oxford, ed. D.McLellan)
J.S. Mill: On Liberty and Other Writings
F. Nietzsche: On the Genealogy of Morality
Secondary reading:
Hampsher-Monk, I. (1992) A History of Modern Political Thought: Major Political Thinkers from Hobbes to Marx, Oxford, Blackwell
| 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 | 1.10.2010 |
| Last revision date | 27.2.12 |
