Postgraduate Module Descriptor


POLM803: Sources of Modernity and Post-Modernity

This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

The module explores some of the main themes in modern and post-modern political thought from both historical and contemporary perspectives. Topics selected may vary from year to year. Main debates covered may comprise several of the following themes: Liberty; Toleration; State and Civil Society; Capitalism and the Market; Social Contract theories; the idea of Enlightenment; Utility and Pleasure; Post-modernity. Topics for the Reading Group vary from year to year, comprising a variety of texts and approaches in political thought.

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
222780

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities22 hoursWeekly meetings (2-3 hours per week), comprising both substantive classes, and preparation for and participation in the Reading Group meetings.
Guided independent study278 hoursIndependent study

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.

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.

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
10000

...and this table provides further details on the summative assessments for this module.

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Exercise comprising commentaries on selected texts 403,000 words1-7Written feedback
Essay605,000 words1-7Written feedback
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 assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
Exercise comprising commentaries on selected texts Exercise comprising commentaries on selected texts ( 3,000 words)1-7Next reassessment period
EssayEssay (5,000 words)1-7Next reassessment period