Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POL3247: Politics of Biology

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Overview

NQF Level 6
Credits 15 ECTS Value 7.5
Term(s) and duration

This module ran during term 2 (11 weeks)

Academic staff

Dr Jack Tagney (Convenor)

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Available via distance learning

No

This module critically examines the interplay between socio-political thinking and scientific and philosophical understanding of living nature. You will explore this topic from a range of perspectives drawn from political/social theory and the history, philosophy, and sociology of the life sciences. The module addresses a number of key historical politicisations of biological understanding as well as a range of contemporary debates around the human body and human diversity. If you are interested in exploring fundamental questions about human existence, and the political ramifications of the way we answer these questions, you should take this module.

No prior knowledge is required, but if you have some basic knowledge of modern biology, or some awareness of central debates in philosophy of science/biology, you will be well-placed to take this module.

This module is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways, in particular those studying some combination of politics/philosophy/sociology. However, single honours students in any of these subjects can also take this module

Module created

10/05/2019

Last revised

22/05/2019