• Home
• Study
• Study Information
• Modules
• Module Information

Political Philosophies of Power

Module description

This module examines the perspectives of some infamous philosophers of power, especially Friedrich Nietzsche and Michel Foucault, who offer strident critiques of Western societies. We will assess Nietzsche’s claim that a ‘will to power’ motivates human thought and actions, his idea that Western civilization is infected with ‘slave morality’, and his purported views on the superiority of aristocracies. We subsequently look at Michel Foucault’s influential work, focusing on the notion that power-relations shape political and social life, normalizing and disciplining populations through concealed mechanisms. We look at a range of contemporary ideas inspired by their philosophies.

No pre-requisites or prior knowledge are required.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The intention of the module is to familiarise you with the concepts of highly influential political philosophers. Through a critical examination of their radical ideas, which challenge commonly accepted notions like the superiority of democracy and the utility of morality, the module seeks to foster critical thinking about fundamental issues in contemporary politics.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

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

• 1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the thinkers and how they relate.
• 2. Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate current research and advanced knowledge in the discipline.
• 3. Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

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

• 4. Demonstrate an advanced ability to analyze arguments and critically evaluate current research in political theory and politics more generally.
• 5. Demonstrate the ability to write well-argued essays and question received ideas in political philosophy.

ILO: Personal and key skills

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

• 6. Demonstrate the ability to describe and evaluate ideas.
• 7. Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively.

Syllabus plan

•  Friedrich Nietzsche’s account of the will to power, including the birth of the state, slave vs master morality, and his criticisms of Western civilization.
• Michel Foucault, power-relations, and the modern state, including concepts such as disciplinary power and biopolitics.
• Their legacy in contemporary debates.

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

• Friedrich Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil, translated by Marion Faber (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998).
• Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, translated by Duncan Large (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998).
• Friedrich Nietzsche, On the Genealogy of Morality, translated by Carol Diethe (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007).
• Michel Foucault, Discipline and Punishment, translated by Alan Sheridan (Penguin Books, 2020).
• Michel Foucault, History of Sexuality Vol.1, The Will to Knowledge, translated by Robert Hurley (Penguin Books, 2020).

Key words search

Power, the State, Nietzsche, Foucault, Will to Power, Normalization, Disciplinary Societies, Biopower.