- Department: Politics
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Udit Bhatia
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: I
- Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
This module examines the state from a theoretical and historical perspective. You will learn how to apply different theories and concepts around the state to contemporary problems about the state, statehood, and political authority.
Occurrence | Teaching period |
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A | Semester 1 2024-25 |
This module examines the state from a theoretical and historical perspective. The first segment of the module introduces students to theoretical and historical scholarship on the state. The subsequent two segments will explore domestic and global problems( and dilemmas) concerning the state. The final part of the module will introduce students to perspectives on governance and political imaginaries beyond the state. Students will learn how to integrate theoretical, historical, and empirical work in making arguments about concrete issues around the state and its authority.
Demonstrate detailed knowledge of key debates and concepts around theories of the state (PLO1)
Independently apply diverse theoretical perspectives to concrete questions around statehood, state power, and the limits of state authority. (PLO2)
Apply theoretical perspectives to identify solutions to domestic and global problems related to the state (PLO4)
Communicate detailed academic and theoretical debates in a coherent and clear way to a non-specialist audience (PLO5)
Demonstrate awareness of different global and cultural contexts in relation to theories of the state (PLO6)
After surveying theoretical and historical perspectives on the state, the module will turn to more applied problems. These will concern ‘problems within’ (the problem of oligarchy, the problem of state secrecy, and the problem of state authority) and ‘the state in global perspective’ (the problem of borders and the problem of justice in global trade). The final segment of the module will explore political imaginaries beyond the state (corporations and supranational institutions). All sections, but particularly in its historical and global dimensions, will critically assess the colonial and other hierarchical aspects of intellectual state-formation, as well as their context.
Module structure:
Perspectives on the State
The State from Within
The State in Global Perspective
Institutions
9. Corporations and the State
10. Supranational Governance
11. Pluralising Authority
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Essay/coursework Essay |
N/A | 100 |
None
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Essay/coursework Essay |
N/A | 100 |
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 25 working days; 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.
Vincent, Andrew (1987) Theories of the State (Oxford: Blackwell).
Getachew, Adom (2019). Worldmaking after Empire (Princeton: Princeton University Press).
Winters, Jeffrey (2011). Oligarchy (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press).