Module manager: Dr Derek Edyvane
Email: D.J.Edyvane@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
This module is approved as a discovery module
Modern democratic societies are marked by a deep diversity of cultures, beliefs and moral values; and this poses a fundamental political challenge: how are we to live well together when we cannot agree how people ought to live their lives? That question forms the core of this module, which explores a range of key concepts and issues in contemporary political theory such as justice and injustice and community and conflict. We will reflect on the application of those ideas to social and political problems through the examination of live ethical debates in contemporary society. In so doing we will discuss issues such as hate speech, pornography and the morality of political protest. In this module, you will develop knowledge and skills that will enable you to think more critically and systematically about current social and political affairs.
1. Elaborate fundamental ideas and concepts in analytical political theory
2. Introduce the work of key contemporary analytical political theorists
3. Develop student skills of thinking critically and philosophically about contemporary political problems
4. Develop student capacity to identify and make links between political thought and practice.
1. The capacity to grasp and analyse central ideas and concepts in analytical political theory
2. A critical appreciation of central works of key contemporary analytical political theorists.
3. Ability to apply these ideas and theories to problems of contemporary politics.
On completion of this module students should be able to develop a reasoned argument, synthesise relevant information, exercise critical judgement, and manage and self-critically reflect on, their own learning and make use of constructive feedback. They should be able to communicate effectively and fluently, use communication and information technologies to retrieve and present information. They are expected to work independently and in groups, show initiative, self-organisation and time-management.
(Indicative syllabus. Actual topics may vary from year to year)
Week 1 - Introduction and Overview
Week 2 - Justice as Fairness
Week 3 - The Politics of Welfare: A Case Study - The Social Contract and Rawls’s ‘Original Position’
Week 5 - Injustice
Week 6 - The Ethics of Protest
Week 7 - Community and the Common Good
Week 8 - Multiculturalism and Justice
Week 9 - Is Multiculturalism Bad for Women? The Veils Debate Week 10 - Cosmopolitanism and Global Justice Week 11 - Beyond Justice: What do we owe to future generations?
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1 | 11 |
| Private study hours | 178 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Students are required to read the core items listed in the module reading list in preparation for seminar discussions and essays. This requires careful and reflective reading, note taking, summarising, and preparation for class discussion. Students will be provided with a list of questions to guide their reading and reflection.
Student progress will be monitored by means of:
Student contributions to class discussion, which will be monitored throughout the course, though not assessed.
The ‘critical response’ exercise will provide an opportunity to give detailed formative feedback on student progress.
Opportunities for individual discussions outside seminar times.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Essay | 1 x 3000 End of Term Essay | 70 |
| Literature Review | 1 x 1000 word literature review, mid-semester | 30 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 4/29/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team