Module manager: Liz Stainforth
Email: e.m.stainforth@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
This module is not approved as a discovery module
This module offers you the opportunity to explore a multitude of ideal cities and model communities from the sixteenth century through to the present day. Our journey through utopia will take us into the fields of architecture, art, literature, politics and philosophy. In parallel to this historical approach to utopian thinking, you will be encouraged to think critically and imaginatively about contemporary society and to discuss the question of utopias in the future. Please note this is an optional module and runs subject to enrolments. If a low number of students choose this module, then the module may not run and you may be asked to choose another module.
This module will introduce you to historical and contemporary debates on the concept of utopia. You will gain insights into a range of definitions of utopia, broadly understood as the desire for a different and better way of living together. You will also analyse examples of ideal cities and communities created by utopian thinkers in the fields of architecture, art, literature, politics and philosophy. The module will enable you to critically reflect on these utopian visions and develop your understanding of the distinct social and political contexts within which the search for the good life has been expressed.
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:
1. Identify the various definitions available for understanding utopia.
2. Analyse examples of the ideal cities and communities explored by utopian thinkers on the module.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the different social and political contexts within which forms of utopian thinking have emerged.
4. Critically reflect on the desirability and viability of utopianism historically and in contemporary life.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills learning outcomes:
5. Communicate knowledge and understanding of utopianism and reflect on how it relates to personal experience.
6. Evaluate ideas about utopia and synthesise these ideas to support opinions, arguments and theories.
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module.
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Seminar | 10 | 1 | 10 |
| Private study hours | 180 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Optional tutorials will be offered to provide formative feedback on students’ ideas prior to their essay submissions. Additionally, the mid-term assessment (20%) will act as formative feedback (on argument, critical analysis and presentation) and help to identify areas for improvement in writing the final essay (80%).
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Written | 20 |
| Coursework | Written | 80 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
August resits are available in the same essay format for both assessments.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 08/04/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team