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Unit information: Political Philosophy in 2024/25

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

Unit name Political Philosophy
Unit code PHIL20012
Credit points 20
Level of study I/5
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director Dr. Wilhelm
Open unit status Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)

None

Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)

None

Units you may not take alongside this one

None

School/department Department of Philosophy
Faculty Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the main theorists and issues in contemporary political theory and political philosophy. Topics covered will may include (but not be limited to) the nature of justice and the state, the concept of liberty and political community, the political role of recognition and respect, and Liberalism together with its Feminist and Marxist critics.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key views and debate in contemporary political philosophy and theory

2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of key texts in contemporary political philosophy

3. Demonstrate the ability to apply these views and texts to current issues in policy and politics

4. Demonstrate the ability to construct articulate, concise, and cogent, arguments in written form, of a sophistication appropriate to level I/5

5. Demonstrate the ability to collaboratively, critically, and charitably engage with peers’ philosophical arguments and ideas through recorded (audio/video) debate.

How you will learn

Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

None

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative): 

  1. Recorded Video/Audio Group Debate (30%) [ILOs 1, 3, 5]

  2. In Person Examination (70%) [ILOs 1-4]

When assessment does not go to plan
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the form or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are normally confirmed by the School shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the academic year. 

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHIL20012).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.

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