This module is not currently running in 2024 to 2025.
All things considered, liberal democracy is the best political system we know of. Nevertheless, it has always been in peril, attacked by totalitarian ideologies and undermined by self-destructive forces from within. In this module, we will investigate the essence and value of democracy, and the character and aims of its enemies. To this end, we will study an important text in modern political and legal philosophy (e.g. by Rousseau, Mill, Cassirer). Exploring such a text will help us understand the problems modern societies face. Some of the topics to be discussed include the essence and value of democracy vis-à-vis competing ideologies such as fascism and communism, the nature of political freedom rights, legitimacy, sovereignty, etc.
Total Contact Hours: 40
Total Private Study Hours: 260
Total Study Hours: 300
Main assessment methods
Essay (3,000 words) – 70%
Summary of weekly reading (300 words) – 10%
Seminar Performance – 20%
Reassessment methods
100% Coursework (3,000 words)
The University is committed to ensuring that core reading materials are in accessible electronic format in line with the Kent Inclusive Practices. The most up to date reading list for each module can be found on the university's reading list pages: https://kent.rl.talis.com/index.html
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
The intended subject specific learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Articulate and critically discuss the main ideas in the text;
2 Articulate and critically discuss the main arguments for those ideas;
3 Show thorough understanding of the main intellectual environment in which the text was written;
4 Show in-depth appreciation of the questions that were raised in the text and why they were important, and, connect these points to the above;
5 Show thorough understanding of the main criticisms of the text and analyse them.
The intended generic learning outcomes.
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate their skills in critical analysis and argument to a high degree, both through their reading and through listening to others;
2 Demonstrate their ability to make complex ideas clearly understandable in their philosophical writing, and discussion, displaying a high level of analytic accuracy;
3 Demonstrate, to a high degree, their ability to work autonomously and to take responsibility for their learning.
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