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POL10180

Academic Year 2024/2025

Foundations of Pol Theory (POL10180)

Subject:
Politics
College:
Social Sciences & Law
School:
Politics & Int Relations
Level:
1 (Introductory)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Graham Finlay
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

This module provides an introduction to political theory, focusing on changing conceptions and models of democracy, mainly through the thought of four challenging and influential political thinkers, Aristotle, Wollstonecraft, Mill and Marx. We focus in particular on four key themes: the meaning and relative importance of the political principles of liberty, equality and community; how much political participation there should be; the social pre-conditions for democracy; and to what extent the kind of democracy possible depends on how we think of human nature.

This module is required for any student wishing to take Politics as a major at Stage Two. In addition to the lectures, an essential part of this module are tutorials in which students learn through writing essays and exercises and through participating in discussions.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of this module, students will:
- have a clear grasp of what is at stake in some of the fundamental issues of political theory;
- be familiar with, and able to evaluate and apply, the normative arguments advanced by major political theorists;
- have developed skills in written and oral argument.

Indicative Module Content:

Political Theory: Human Nature and Democracy, Political Participation, Democratic Institutions, Rights, Understandings of Liberty, Equality and Community as seen through Aristotle, Wollstonecraft, Mill and Marx.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

91
Lectures

22
Tutorial

7
Total

120

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The module will consist of lectures and small group teaching/tutorials. Students will be encouraged to participate in discussion in both lectures and tutorials.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
INRL10010 - Found of Pol Theory & IR


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Participation in Learning Activities: Attendance and short assignment. Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 9, Week 10, Week 11, Week 12 Graded No
20
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): An essay of 1500 words. Week 8 Graded No
40
 No
Exam (In-person): An end of term exam. Examined during the exam period. End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Graded No
40
 No

Carry forward of passed components
No
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 31, 33 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 11:00 - 11:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 2 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 33 Tues 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 3 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 4 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 33 Fri 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 5 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31 Tues 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 6 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 33 Tues 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 7 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 8 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 33 Tues 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 9 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 10 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 33 Wed 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 11 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 12 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 33 Wed 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 13 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 14 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 33 Thurs 12:00 - 12:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 15 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 16 Week(s) - 21, 23, 25, 29, 31 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 17 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 33 Thurs 15:00 - 15:50
Spring Tutorial Offering 18 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 30, 33 Thurs 16:00 - 16:50
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