Theories of Justice - POL00005M

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  • Department: Politics
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Alfred Moore
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2019-20

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching cycle
A Autumn Term 2019-20

Module aims

This module provides an advanced introduction to some of the most significant problems and approaches in contemporary political theory. We will focus in particular on conceptual challenges to and justifications of democracy. What is the relation between liberalism and democracy? Why should we prefer majority rule to alternative decision procedures? Who should be included within democratic decisions, and who should be excluded? What — if any — are the limits on democratic decisions? And where might those limits come from? We will approach these questions — and more — through the work of key contemporary thinkers, including John Rawls, Jürgen Habermas, Elizabeth Anderson, Philip Pettit, and Josiah Ober, among others.

Module learning outcomes

To acquire a thorough grounding in recent contemporary democratic theory. To develop critical and argumentative skills through seminar discussion and analysis of philosophical texts.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
4000 word essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

Pass/fail

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
4000 word essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor's feedback and guidance hours.

Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 20 days after submission; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor's regular feedback and guidance hours.

Indicative reading

There is no core text for this module, and readings will be provided for each week, but a few useful books are:

Thomas Christiano (ed.), 2003, Democracy and Philosophy: An Anthology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Jon Elster (ed.), 1998, Deliberative Democracy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

David Estlund (ed.), 2002, Democracy. Oxford: Blackwell.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring 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 by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.