Module Overview
Political study extends beyond observing the political world; it critically examines how politics should function. This module, Po301, provides an in-depth exploration into key issues that have become focal points in contemporary normative political theory. Designed for students seeking a robust understanding of justice and its applications, PO301 is structured into two interconnected parts:
Theories and Principles of Justice: Rawls and Beyond
This section embarks on a detailed examination of foundational theories of justice, beginning with the seminal work of John Rawls. We will dissect his core concepts and explore critiques and extensions of his theories offered by influential thinkers such as Robert Nozick and Ronald Dworkin. Furthermore, we will analyze various patterns of distributive justice, providing a comprehensive understanding of this critical area within political philosophy.
Contemporary Social and Political Issues
Building upon the theoretical frameworks established in the first part, this section applies these principles to pressing contemporary issues. We will engage with complex debates surrounding:
- Immigration and its ethical dimensions
- Cultural pluralism and the challenges of diverse societies
- The moral status and treatment of non-human animals
- Gender justice and ongoing struggles for equality
- Discrimination in its various forms and impacts
- Education policy and equitable access to learning
- Housing rights and urban justice
- Environmental ethics and sustainability
Through these explorations, PO301 bridges the gap between abstract theory and real-world political and social challenges, fostering a nuanced understanding of justice in action.
Module Aims
PO301 is designed to cultivate specific skills and understandings in students:
- Critical Understanding: To develop a deep and critical understanding of core arguments within contemporary analytical political philosophy.
- Analytical Skills: To hone the ability to rigorously analyze and evaluate opposing arguments prevalent in political philosophy.
- Relevance and Application: To foster an appreciation for the practical relevance of political philosophy to current political and social issues, and to build the capacity to apply philosophical arguments to a diverse range of such issues.
Indicative Syllabus
Please note that the syllabus outlined below is indicative and subject to possible variations. The actual topics covered in each session may differ to ensure the most current and engaging learning experience.
- [To be confirmed – tbc] – Specific session topics will be announced.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of PO301, students will be equipped with the following capabilities:
- Comprehension and Critical Analysis: Students will be able to thoroughly comprehend and critically analyze intricate arguments drawn from the extensive literature of contemporary political philosophy.
- Considered Judgement: Students will be able to articulate their own considered judgments on the issues discussed in the module, demonstrating an informed awareness of diverse and opposing arguments and perspectives.
- Argument Construction: Students will be able to construct sustained and well-reasoned arguments concerning major political values, defending their positions against skeptical viewpoints and effectively integrating arguments from other disciplines where relevant.
Indicative Reading List
- [To be confirmed – tbc] – A detailed reading list will be provided at the start of the module.
Subject Specific Skills Developed
PO301 offers students valuable opportunities to acquire and refine key subject-specific skills essential for advanced study in political theory:
- Complex Argument Analysis: The ability to comprehend and critically analyze complex arguments from a diverse literature in contemporary political theory.
- Perspective Articulation: The ability to articulate their considered judgments on complex issues, taking into account a variety of opposing arguments and perspectives.
- Sustained Argumentation: The ability to construct their own sustained argument about major political values and defend it against sceptics, drawing on arguments from other disciplines as needed.
Transferable Skills Enhanced
Beyond subject-specific skills, PO301 also facilitates the development of crucial transferable skills highly valued in various professional contexts:
- Knowledge Application and Project Work: The ability to apply learned methods and techniques to review, consolidate, extend, and apply knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and execute projects effectively.
- Employability Skills: Development of key skills directly relevant to employment in Politics and International Studies, including:
- Lateral thinking and problem-solving
- Detailed critical analysis and interpretation of diverse sources
- The ability to digest, retain, and apply complex information and ideas
- Research skills, independent study, and group discussion proficiency
- Openness to unfamiliar ideas and ways of thinking.
- Initiative and Responsibility: Skills necessary for exercising initiative and personal responsibility:
- Self-assessment of learning capacity and progress
- Effective work organization and time management
- Ability to meet deadlines consistently
- Critical reflection on learning extent and limitations.
- Communication Skills: Enhanced skills in communicating information, ideas, problems, and solutions clearly and persuasively.
Study Time Breakdown
The PO301 module involves a total study time of 300 hours, distributed as follows:
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 20 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Seminars | 20 sessions of 1 hour (7%) |
| Private study | 260 hours (87%) |
| Total | 300 hours |
Private Study Description
- [To be confirmed – tbc] – Details regarding private study expectations will be provided.
Module Costs
No additional costs have been identified for participation in this module beyond standard student expenses.
Assessment Requirements: Students must successfully pass all assessment components to pass PO301. It is possible to register for this module without undertaking the assessments.
Assessment Group C2 Details
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification |
|---|---|---|
| ###### Assessment component | ||
| 3000 word essay (50%) | Yes (extension) | |
| ###### Reassessment component is the same | ||
| ###### Assessment component | ||
| Online Examination (50%) 1.5 hour examination ~Platforms – AEP – Online examination: No Answerbook required |
No | |
| ###### Reassessment component is the same |
Feedback on Assessment
- [To be confirmed – tbc] – Information on assessment feedback methods will be provided.
Courses Featuring PO301
This module is a Core component for the following programs:
- Year 3 of UPOA-M100 Undergraduate Politics
- Year 4 of UPOA-M101 Undergraduate Politics (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 3 of UPOA-M16A Undergraduate Politics and International Studies
- Year 4 of UPOA-M16B Undergraduate Politics and International Studies (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of UPOA-M168 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese
- Year 3 of UPOA-M169 Undergraduate Politics and International Studies with Chinese (3 year)
- Year 4 of UPOA-M163 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and French
- Year 3 of UPOA-M16F Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and French (3 year degree)
- UPOA-M164 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and German
- Year 3 of M100 Politics
- Year 4 of M164 Politics, International Studies and German
- Year 3 of UPOA-M16D Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and German (3 year degree)
- Year 3 of UIPA-L2L8 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Global Sustainable Development
- Year 4 of UIPA-L2L9 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Global Sustainable Development (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of UPOA-M166 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies
- Year 3 of UPOA-M16H Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Hispanic Studies (3 year degree)
- Year 4 of UPOA-M165 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Italian
PO301 is a Core Optional module for:
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
- UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 2 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MI Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Philosophy/Economics Bipartite (Philosophy Major) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MJ Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Philosophy/Politics Bipartite (with Intercalated year)
PO301 is an Optional module for:
- Year 4 of UECA-4 Undergraduate Economics 4 Year Variants
- Year 3 of UECA-LM1D Undergraduate Economics, Politics and International Studies
- UHIA-VM14 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of VM14 History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 4 of VM14 History and Politics (with Year Abroad and a term in Venice)
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM13 Undergraduate History and Politics (with a term in Venice)
- UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of V7MH Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Economics/Philosophy Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MF Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Economics/Politics Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MI Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Philosophy/Economics Bipartite (Philosophy Major) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MJ Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Philosophy/Politics Bipartite (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MG Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Politics/Economics Bipartite (Politics Major) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 3 of UPOA-M162 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods
- Year 4 of UPOA-M167 Undergraduate Politics, International Studies and Quantitative Methods (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 3 of UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 4 of UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)
PO301 is an Unusual option for:
- UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
- UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 3 of UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law
- Year 4 of UPHA-V7MX Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law (with Intercalated Year)
PO301 is a Core option list B module for:
- UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
- Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
- UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MF Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Economics/Politics Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MG Philosophy, Politics and Economics – Politics/Economics Bipartite (Politics Major) (with Intercalated year)
PO301 is an Option list A module for:
- Year 3 of UPOA-ML13 Undergraduate Politics and Sociology
- Year 4 of UPOA-ML14 Undergraduate Politics and Sociology (with Intercalated year)
PO301 is an Option list C module for:
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
- Year 4 of UHIA-VM12 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad)
- UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
- Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
- Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
- UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
- Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
- Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
- Year 4 of V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)
PO301 is an Option list D module for:
- Year 3 of UHIA-VM11 Undergraduate History and Politics
- Year 4 of UHIA-VM12 Undergraduate History and Politics (with Year Abroad)
- Year 3 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
