Political Philosophy
| Module title | Political Philosophy |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL2050 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Professor Catriona McKinnon (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 100 |
|---|
Module description
This module will introduce you to a range of positions in contemporary political theory and philosophy, familiarizing you with key texts, authors and debates, such as those concerning, liberty, justice, community, equality, identity, rights, morality, recognition, citizenship, power and the critique of power. You will be introduced to a range of theoretical and methodological approaches associated with these literatures and will explore some of their implications in the assessment of modern societies, their values, their institutional arrangements and the key question of how individuals with radically different beliefs about the good life can agree on rules to regulate political society.
This module should be of interest to any student of Politics, Philosophy or Economics interested in conceptual analysis.
Module aims - intentions of the module
To introduce students to a range of positions in contemporary political theory and philosophy, familiarizing them with key texts, authors and debates, such as those concerning, liberty, justice, community, equality, identity, recognition, citizenship, power and the critique of power. To introduce students to a range of theoretical/methodological approaches associated with these literatures and to explore some of their implications in the assessment of modern societies, their values and their institutional arrangements. To develop in students the ability to critically reflect about the nature and scope of political discourse.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. demonstrate substantive knowledge of the theories and issues considered, their significance and the major criticisms made of them.
- 2. summarize and assess a range of political philosophies and theoretical discourses.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Identify and discuss the major concepts deployed in a theory and apply them in making and analysing moral arguments
- 4. Engage in both sympathetic interpretation and reasoned criticism of such theories
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Construct and evaluate arguments, using different intellectual languages
- 6. Formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction to assess and criticise the views of others
Syllabus plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
Rawls’s theory of justice and his critics; political obligation; theories and types of equality; theories of liberty: negative, positive, republican; deliberation and public reason; citizenship, multiculturalism, recognition, and solidarity; civic, cosmopolitan, and environmental rights/duties; forms of powers and their critique; global justice; toleration.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 21.5 | 128.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 16.5 | 11 x 1.5 hour lectures |
| Scheduled learning and teaching activity | 5 | 5 x 1 hour tutorials |
| Guided independent study | 128.5 | a variety of private study tasks |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 750 words | 1-6 | Written |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 100 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In person examination | 100 | 1.5 | 1-6 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In person examination (1.5 hours) | In person examination (1.5 hours) | 1-6 | Referral / Deferral period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- C.McKinnon, R.Jubb & P. Tomiln (eds). Issues in Political Theory
| 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 | 01/10/2010 |
| Last revision date | 10/02/2025 |
