MODULE SPECIFICATION

Code: UPPNHF-30-2 Title: Political Theory: Ideas in Context Version: 1

Level: 2 UWE credit rating:30 ECTS credit rating:15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: SSH Field: Politics

Faculty Committee approval: Date:

Approved for Delivery by: ( indicate name of affiliated institution if module will only be delivered by them)

Valid from: September 2010 Discontinued from: N/A

Contributes towards:

Awards up to BA/BSc (Hons)

Pre-requisites: UPPNFF-30-1: Ideas and Power or equivalent

Co-requisites: None

Entry requirements: Not applicable

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

On completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Understand the methodological issues raised by the study of political ideas, and, in particular, to appreciate textualist and contextualist approaches. (All assessments).

2. Understand the significance of the historical development and historical contexts of political ideas. (Component A; Component B, Element 1).

3. Understand the significance of the political contexts in which political ideas are formulated and understand the role of debates concerning the nature of political ideologies. (Component A; Component B, Element 2).

4. Engage in a critical analysis of political ideas. (All components).

5. Communicate in writing an understanding of the historical and political importance of political ideas in their contexts. (All components).

6. Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research activity. (Component B).

Syllabus outline:

    • the nature of political ideas and approaches toward the study of political ideas, especially textualist and contextualist approaches

    • the historical contexts and development of political ideas

    • selected political ideas in classical, medieval, early modern and late modern periods

    • an examination of the work of selected political thinkers, such as Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine, Machiavelli, Marx, Rawls

    • the political context of ideas, especially ideas formulated into ideologies

    • the nature, development and influence of political ideologies

    • detailed examination of the content of various ideologies, such as liberalism, conservatism, nationalism, feminism, environmentalism

Teaching and learning methods:

These will comprise formal lectures and seminars. Lectures will provide a survey of the themes and debates raised by the study of political ideas. Seminars will focus on discussion of the issues raised in lectures and will encourage students to engage in critical thinking about those issues and provide a setting for group work as seminars may be sub-divided, with students co-operating with other students in their sub-group to develop and defend a particular interpretation or argument.

Reading Strategy

The module handbook will provide an extensive guide to relevant reading. Students will be advised to buy at least one of recommended textbooks. Key sources will be placed in the library’s short loan collection. Many recommended journal sources will be available in both hard copy and in electronic form. Students will be given help in locating source materials.

Indicative Reading List:

Note: this list does not include texts by the specific thinkers and ideologies to be studied.

Bellamy, R & Ross, A, A Textual Introduction to Social and Political Theory Manchester U.P. 1996

Boucher, D & Kelly, P Political Thinkers Oxford U.P. 2003

Coleman, J, Political Thought vol 1, Blackwell, Oxford, 2000

Dunn, J, The History of Political Theory Cambridge U.P. 1996

Eccleshall, et al, Political Ideologies 2nd ed Routledge. London. 1994

Freeden, M, Ideologies and Political Theory Oxford U.P 1998

Freeden, M, Re-Assessing Political Ideologies Routledge. London. 2001.

Hampshire-Monk, H, A History of Modern Political Thought Blackwell. Oxford. 1992

Hayward, A, Political Ideologies 2nd ed Palgrave, London. 2003

McLellan, D, Ideologies 2nd ed O.U. Press. Buckingham. 1995

Plamenatz, J, Man and Society 3 vols. Revised eds. Longmans. London.1992

Pocock, J, Virtue, Commerce and History: Ideas in Context

Skinner, Q, Visions of Politics Cambridge U.P. 2002

Vincent, A, Modern Political Ideologies 2nd ed. Blackwell. Oxford. 1995.
Wolin, S, Politics and Vision 2nd ed Princeton U.P., 2007

Relevant Journals:

American Political Science Review, Political Studies, Political Theory, Political Ideologies, History of Political Thought

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A:50% B:50%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A Final Assessment Element weighting

Three-hour Unseen Examination 50%

Component B

1 Essay, 2,500 words 25%

2 Essay, 2,500 words 25%

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes is not required)

Component A Element weighting

Three Hour Unseen Examination 50%

Component B

Essay, 4,000 words 50%

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT: Attendance at taught classes is not required.

Specification confirmed by ……………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

Back to top