Module POC2085 for 2021/2
- Overview
- Aims and Learning Outcomes
- Module Content
- Indicative Reading List
- Assessment
Undergraduate Module Descriptor
POC2085: Imagining the Good Life: From Agora to the American Dream
This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.
Please note that this module is only delivered on the Penryn Campus.
Module Aims
In this module you will learn to think critically about one of the key political conundrums which has exercised theorists over two millennia and more. You will learn about key theorists contextualised by the political setting in which they were writing. You will be able to critically analyse and apply their concepts to contemporary political issues. In this module you will be encouraged to develop critical analysis to understand and interpret key political theories on the Good Life, and develop skills at applying these theories to contemporary real world issues, assessing their relevance
| On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | |
|---|---|
| Module-Specific Skills | 1. Demonstrate a substantive knowledge of the theories considered, their significance and the major critical positions adopted towards them 2. Demonstrate an understanding of the theories and the capacity to analyse the relationship of these theories to contemporary debates 3. Analyse complex concepts at a theoretical and applied level |
| Discipline-Specific Skills | 4. Identify, discuss and evaluate the major components of theories covered and their argumentative articulation 5. Engage in both reasoned interpretation and reasoned criticism of such theories |
| Personal and Key Skills | 6. Evaluate different interpretations of The Good Life in relation to current issues 7. Demonstrate appropriate communication skills 8. Formulate well articulated conclusions on theories of The Good Life based on a variety of evidence 9. Demonstrate a capacity for independent study and research. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay plan | Informal discussion with students on their essay plan | 1-9 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essay | 80 | 3000 words | 1-9 | Written |
| Report | 20 | Reflective report -1000 words | 1-9 | Written |
| 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 (3000 words) | 1-9 | August/September re-assessment period |
| Report | Reflective report (1000 words) | 1-9 | End of term 2 |
