Postgraduate Module Descriptor

POLM806: Problems and Texts in Social and Political Thought

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 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.

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. 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 Skills5. Analyse arguments;
6. Criticise texts
7. Introduce discussions,
8. Write well-argued essays, and question received ideas.
Personal and Key Skills9. 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.