Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL2028: Political Ethics: Theory and Case Studies

This module descriptor refers to the 2016/7 academic year.

Module Aims

This module will introduce you philosophical arguments and practical examples which reveal the inner connection between politics and ethics. It will challenge you to explain the relationship between political conduct and moral reasoning. It will stimulate you to argue in favour or against moral reasons for certain political actions and behaviours. It will also develop your ability to evaluate classic theoretical analyses of these issues as well as real life cases which have been seen by the public as moral and political conundrums. It will help you to delve into the deep end of political reasoning and provide you with an opportunity to analyse and evaluate widely known and perennial political problems from a moral perspective.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills1. understand classical philosophical accounts of the relationship between politics and ethics;
2. explain the interconnection and discontinuity between political action and moral reasoning;
3. evaluate critically real cases where political conduct causes moral conflict;
Discipline-Specific Skills4. grasp key theories, models and concepts within the discipline;
5. analyse and evaluate complex information;
6. build and present rigorous, adequately supported arguments;
Personal and Key Skills7. verbally present coherent arguments;
8. apply broad theories to specific empirical examples