Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2050: Political Philosophy

This module descriptor refers to the 2018/9 academic year.

Module Aims

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)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. 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.
Discipline-Specific Skills3. identify and discuss the major concepts deployed in a theory and to apply them in making and analyzing moral and political judgments.
4. engage in both sympathetic interpretation and reasoned criticism of such theories, and to evaluate different interpretations.
Personal and Key Skills5. construct and evaluate ideas, to relate to various intellectual languages,.
6. formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction, to assess and criticise the views of others.