Module POLM021 for 2017/8
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM021: Power and Society
This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.
Module Aims
This module involves interpreting important texts in political philosophy but also applying this knowledge to contemporary politics. It is designed to improve your critical thinking skills, and to develop your ability to critically interrogate the assumptions inherent in modern liberal regimes. Foucault in particular is one of the most cited scholars in both the humanities and the social sciences, and familiarity with his work is valuable for students with a broad range of interests.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the ideas of philosophical thinkers on power and society and how these ideas relate. 2. Evaluate critically current research and advanced knowledge in the study of power and society and demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 3. Demonstrate an advanced capability to analyse arguments and critically evaluate current research in political theory and politics more generally. 4. Introduce texts, write well-argued essays and question received ideas in political theory. |
Personal and Key Skills | 5. Construct and evaluate ideas 6. Communicate effectively in speech and writing. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
Whilst the module’s precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover some or all of the following topics:
Friedrich Nietzsche’s account of power, including the birth of the state.
Michel Foucault, power and the modern state.
Their legacy in contemporary debates, explored through a number of recent articles.
Learning and Teaching
This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
---|---|---|
22 | 278 | 0 |
...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:
Category | Hours of study time | Description |
---|---|---|
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 22 | 11 x 2 hour seminars |
Guided Independent Study | 198 | Seminar preparation: Reading, notetaking, preparing to introduce texts |
Guided Independent Study | 80 | Reading for and writing essays |
Online Resources
This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).
How this Module is Assessed
In the tables below, you will see reference to 'ILO's. An ILO is an Intended Learning Outcome - see Aims and Learning Outcomes for details of the ILOs for this module.
Formative Assessment
A formative assessment is designed to give you feedback on your understanding of the module content but it will not count towards your mark for the module.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Introducing Discussions | 15 minutes | 1-6 | Verbal |
Summative Assessment
A summative assessment counts towards your mark for the module. The table below tells you what percentage of your mark will come from which type of assessment.
Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
---|---|---|
100 | 0 | 0 |
...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.
Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|---|
Essay 1 | 50 | 4000 words | 1-6 | Written |
Essay 2 | 50 | 4000 words | 1-6 | Written |
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 | ||||
0 |
Re-assessment
Re-assessment takes place when the summative assessment has not been completed by the original deadline, and the student has been allowed to refer or defer it to a later date (this only happens following certain criteria and is always subject to exam board approval). For obvious reasons, re-assessments cannot be the same as the original assessment and so these alternatives are set. In cases where the form of assessment is the same, the content will nevertheless be different.
Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Essay 1 | Essay 1 (4000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Essay 2 | Essay 2 (4000 words) | 1-6 | August/September reassessment period |
Indicative Reading List
This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.
Basic reading: Nietzsche, Beyond Good & Evil and other selected works.
Foucault, The Subject and Power, Truth and Power, Discipline and Punishment, and other selected works.