Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM807: Independent Study in Political Thought

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

Module Aims

This module is designed for students on MA programmes in the History of Political Thought, Modern Continental Political Thought, and Social and Political Thought, but it may be open to other students on related philosophy and other MA programmes. It allows students to work closely with a supervising member of staff on a topic, text, or thinker appropriate to the student's MA programme. The student is responsible for approaching an appropriate staff member and obtaining agreement for supervision and then to design, in agreement with the supervisor, a programme of research and a schedule for tuition, culminating in a long essay. The aims or this module are: to provide students with the opportunity to delve deeply into a particular area of interest, applying appropriate research methodologies and drawing on appropriate materials; to develop critical and analytical skills necessary to explore an area of political theory that differs from but also complements the content of the taught modules of the student's programme; to develop goal setting and time management skills in pursuing a personal programme of research.

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. demonstrate an ability to critically analyse arguments by reading and discussing key texts;
2. demonstrate an ability to present concisely sophisticated arguments, and to explain difficult points; and an ability to identify key aspects of a philosophical and theoretical debate
Discipline-Specific Skills3. demonstrate an ability to assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources;
4. demonstrate an ability to develop cogent argument;
5. demonstrate an ability to communicate complex information and ideas effectively in writing.
Personal and Key Skills6. demonstrate an ability to undertake an individual research project and manage one's own time;
7. demonstrate abilities to construct and evaluate ideas,
8. to formulate and expressdemonstrate ideas at different levels of abstraction, and to assess and criticise the views of others.