Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POC1028: Modern Political Theory

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

Please note that this module is only delivered on the Penryn Campus.

Module Aims

The module aims to provide you with an introduction to key topics in modern political theory by presenting major concepts, theoretical debates, historical events and cultural and academic texts. It aims to allow you to interpret and analyse historical arguments by placing them in their context and drawing connections between historical debates and contemporary political issues. The course will provide you with an understanding of core concepts in politics such as the state, rights, power, obligation, citizenship and property.

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 Skills	1. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary political theory ; 2. Demonstrate knowledge of the major historical trends in political theory from the social contract tradition to republicanism, feminism, post-colonialism;
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. Assimilate taught materials and utilise them to analyse different forms of political contestation; 4. Demonstrate knowledge of major political theories and understand them in their historical context;
Personal and Key Skills	5. Research and write analytical essays; 6. Formulate critical arguments; and 7. Communicate arguments effectively through written submissions.

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
Textual Analysis	1,000 words	1, 2, 4	Written or 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	100	3,000 words	1-7	Written
	0
	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	Essay (3,000 words)	1-7	August/September reassessment period