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Introduction to Political Philosophy - CED00219C

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  • Department: Centre for Lifelong Learning
  • Credit value: 10 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2022-23

Module summary

This module will cover historical and contemporary approaches to the philosophical foundations of political legitimacy, forms of government and social organization, the meaning of freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, rights, national sovereignty, etc., and the relationship between ideas of human nature and political forms. The philosophical arguments and assumptions that lie behind ideas of liberalism, conservatism, socialism, nationalism, multiculturalism, feminism, etc. will also be looked at. The political philosophers to be studied will include, among others, Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Wollstonecraft, Mill, Marx, and Rawls.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Summer Term 2022-23

Module aims

This module will cover historical and contemporary approaches to the philosophical foundations of political legitimacy, forms of government and social organisation, the meaning of freedom, justice, democracy, tolerance, rights, national sovereignty, etc., and the relationship between ideas of human nature and political forms. The philosophical arguments and assumptions that lie behind ideas of liberalism, conservatism, socialism, nationalism, multiculturalism, etc. will also be looked at. The political philosophers to be studied will include, among others, Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke, Mill, Marx, and Rawls.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of a selection of key texts in political philosophy.
  • Compare and contrast different approaches to some of the issues in political philosophy.
  • Analyse and evaluate a selection of key texts in political philosophy.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Essay/coursework 100

Module feedback

The tutor will give regular individual verbal and written feedback throughout the module on work submitted.

The assessment feedback is as per the university’s guidelines with regard to timings.

Indicative reading

  • An Introduction to Political Philosophy, Colin Bird, Cambridge University Press, 2019
  • Political Philosophy: The Essential Texts, Steven M. Cahn (ed.), Oxford University Press, 2005


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.