Introduction to Political Philosophy - CED00219C
- 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