Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Code PHIL102
Coordinator Dr JA Jobling
Philosophy
J.Jobling@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2018-19 Level 4 FHEQ Second Semester 15

Aims

To introduce students to the theories and arguments of some of the most important philosophers and of the western tradition of political thought, such as Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Marx and Mill.  To introduce students to some of the main concepts in political philosophy, including political obligation, democracy, community, rights, liberty, justice and property.

Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Students will be able to distinguish some main concepts in political philosophical debates.

(LO2) Students will be able to distinguish different ways of understanding  concepts in political philosophical debates.

(LO3) Students will be able to explain and evaluate some of the main theories in the history of political philosophy.

(LO4) Students will be able to analyse concepts and arguments relating to political issues.

(LO5) Students will be able to identify philosophical assumptions underlying political claims.

(LO6) Students will be able to structure a discussion of issues in political philosophy.

(LO7) Students will be able to speak with confidence and clarity on issues of political philosophy.

(LO8) Students will be able to explain details of canonical texts in political philosophy.

(LO9) Students will be able to articulate and defend basic positions in political philosophy.

(LO10) Students will be able to write coherently and rigorously about abstract philosophical issues raised by political debates.

(S1) Students will develop their skills in making appropriate use of information technology, information on the World Wide Web and reference works and databases relevant to the discipline.

(S2) Students will enhance their capacity to participate, in a dispassionate and respectful manner, in debates about controversial and profound matters.

(S3) Students will develop their willingness critically to evaluate and reflect upon arguments, beliefs, proposals and values, both their own and those of others.

(S4) Students will enhance their abilities in reading and understanding texts and in comprehending abstract material.

(S5) Students will develop their skills in thinking critically, analysing problems and analysing and assessing arguments.

(S6) Students will enhance their ability to identify and reflect critically upon the issues that underlie debates.

(S7) Students will develop confidence in considering previously unfamiliar ideas and approaches.

(S8) Students will enhance their ability to marshal arguments and present them orally and in writing.

(S9) Students will enhance their oral and written communications skills and develop skill in explaining complex material in a precise manner.

Syllabus
 

Political Obligation. Democracy and Plato. Aristotle, Political Community, Human Nature and Slavery. Machiavelli, Vice and Virtue. Hobbes, State of Nature, Contract and Sovereign. Locke, State of Nature, Civil Society and Property.   Marx, Historical Materialism, Exploitation, Ideology and Alienation. Mill, Utilitarianism, Liberty, Democracy and Free Speech.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: 22 x 1 hour lectures.
Attendance Recorded: No

Teaching Method 2 - Seminar
Description: 11 x 1 hour seminars.
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 22

 11

         33
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 117
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Examination There is a resit opportunity. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Assessment deadlines are considered collectively and are staggered.  120 minutes.    90       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Presentation This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :Assessment deadlines are considered collectively and are staggered.  5-10 minute presenta    10       

Recommended Texts
Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.