This module is not currently running in 2025 to 2026.
What should a democracy look like? Can an unequal society be just? When is it legitimate to resist governments? By introducing you to debates regarding these and other foundational issues in political theory, this module will allow you to develop knowledge of key ideas and thinkers, and develop the ability to critically reflect upon, and construct arguments to defend, your own answers to crucial questions about the nature of politics. Throughout the module you will have opportunities to debate the significance of core political values whilst also developing the writing skills required to engage in successful argumentation in political theory. At the end of the module you will have developed knowledge of key concepts in political theory and experience of applying them in academic and non-academic contexts.
Lecture 16, Seminar 8, Workshop 8
Extended Writing. Assessment Details: 1,000 Words Public Political Theory Piece worth 30%.
Extended Writing. Assessment Details: 2,000 Words Essay worth 70%.
Reassessment Method: Like for like
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Identify and assess some of the canonical concepts and theories used in the study of politics.
2) Explain how concepts and theories in the study of politics are supported by different types of argumentation characteristic of political theory, and begin to deploy those arguments independently.
3) Evaluate different interpretations of political issues by critically assessing descriptive and normative arguments in political theory.
4) Communicate the significance of key concepts within political theory in a form suitable for a diverse range of audiences.
5) Apply concepts from political theory to interpret political ideas, institutions and practices, relative to the historical and contemporary context.
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