Undergraduate Module Descriptor

POC3120: Political Thinkers of the Early Twentieth Century

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

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

Module Aims

This module aims to introduce you to the work of several exemplary thinkers of the early twentieth century who were often also participants in the events they reflected on. You will be encouraged to read closely and interpret seminal political texts that informed and animated these thinkers’ contemporaries and have continued to be read and to influence political actors since their publication. The module aims to enhance your understanding of the relation between the biographies of the thinkers examined, the historical context in which they wrote and their enduring significance for contemporary political life.

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 detailed and substantive knowledge of the thinkers and texts studied 2. Understand and critically reflect on the role that various thinkers and debates have played in shaping modern political thought
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. Assess the coherence, plausibility and significance of political arguments 4. Critically evaluate how political concepts are shaped and transformed by historical context and deployment in action
Personal and Key Skills	5. Present complex arguments with clarity and concision 6. Communicate effectively in speech and writing

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
Commentary on a selected text	700 words	1-6	Peer review and verbal comments in class

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
85	0	15

...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
Small group presentation	15	20 minutes	1-6	Verbal and written comments
Exercise comprising commentaries on selected texts	85	3,500 words	1-6	Written comments
	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
Small group presentation	Essay (1,000 words)	1-6	August/September assessment period
Exercise comprising commentaries on selected texts	Exercise comprising commentaries on selected texts (3,500 words)	1-6	August/September reassessment period