Module POLM806 for 2017/8
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Postgraduate Module Descriptor
POLM806: Topics and Texts in Social and Political Thought
This module descriptor refers to the 2017/8 academic year.
Module Aims
This module is part of the core for MA programmes in the History of Political Thought, Modern Continental Political Thought, and Social and Political Thought, but it is also open to other students on related philosophy and other MA programmes. It will be run in conjunction with the Political Theory Reading Group, a postgraduate and faculty research seminar series in the Politics Department, and it will allow some freedom for MA students to shape the content of the reading group with the agreement of the reading group organizers. Its aims are: to familiarise postgraduate students with some key texts and topics in social and political philosophy and cognate philosophical disciplines; to develop analytical skills by close reading of texts; to expose students to a variety of approaches and methodological positions in theoretical and philosophical disciplines; and to promote interdisciplinarity.It will also aim to help students to select the topic for their final dissertation and equip them with the skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to carry out an independent piece of research.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
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Module-Specific Skills | 1. Critically analyse arguments by reading and discussing key texts in seminars; 2. Present concisely sophisticated arguments; 3. Explain difficult points to an audience also of non specialists; 4. Identify key aspects of a philosophical and theoretical debate. |
Discipline-Specific Skills | 5. Analyse arguments; 6. Criticise texts 7. Introduce discussions, 8. Write well-argued essays, and question received ideas. |
Personal and Key Skills | 9. Construct and evaluate ideas, 10. Formulate and express ideas at different levels of abstraction, 11. Assess and criticise the views of others and to undertake an individual research project. |
Module Content
Syllabus Plan
The module will engage with some of the 'foundational texts' covered in the core modules of the relevant MA. It will also involve reading a wider variety of texts in philosophy and social and political theory, exploring the interconnection between different philosophical fields and different philosophical approaches. The selection of texts and topics for the Reading Group meetings will be student-led. Students will also be supervised for the selection of the topic of their dissertation.
A series of two-hour seminars, also with the participation of staff, research students, and students from others MAs, introduced by the students taking the Ma Programmes in Political Theory. A series of preparatory classes to select the topics for presentation and the topic for the final dissertation.
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 |
---|---|---|
19 | 131 | 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 | 15 | 10 x 1.5 hour seminars |
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | 4 | Supervision |
Guided independent study | 131 | Independent 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.
Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
---|---|---|---|
Outline of presentation and of final essay | To be discussed with module convenor | 1-11 | Verbal feedback |
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 |
---|---|---|
80 | 0 | 20 |
...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 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Presentation | 20 | 30 minutes | 1-11 | Verbal feedback |
Essay | 80 | 4,000 words | 1-11 | Written 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 assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
---|---|---|---|
Presentation | Presentation (30 minutes) | 1-11 | Next reassessment period |
Essay | Essay (4,000 words) | 1-11 | Next 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.
This will depend on the texts selected by the students for presentation; and by the topics students will choose for their final dissertation. Staff will guide individual students in the preparation of a basic reading list for the chosen topics and/or texts.