Unit information: Political Philosophy in 2024/25

Unit name Political Philosophy
Unit code PHILM0047
Credit points 20
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director Dr. Buxton
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 students with the opportunity to make an in depth study of one or more central themes in political philosophy. The unit aims to give students a deep understanding of one or more core issues, which are of philosophical interest and significance. The positions and arguments advanced by particular philosophers will be considered and assessed.

Examples of possible themes, issues or philosophers that might be studied: global justice, the environment, immigration, themes in social philosophy, recognition and respect, decolonial theories.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit students will have:

  1. Developed sophisticated knowledge and understanding of issues in political philosophy.
  2. Demonstrated the ability to critically assess and reflect on the relevant issues, positions and arguments in political philosophy
  3. Demonstrated the ability to clearly present and communicate their research.
  4. Demonstrated research skills with a sophistication appropriate to level M/7.

How you will learn

Lectures, seminars, small group work, virtual learning environment.

How you will be assessed

Literature Review (20%)[ILOs 1,2]

4000 word essay (80%)[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. PHILM0047).

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 assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.

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.