GV150-4-SP-CO:
Politics and Power
2026/27
Government
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Monday 18 January 2027
Thursday 25 March 2027
15
06 March 2026
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA L2CH Social Sciences,
BA LFCH Social Sciences,
BSC LL20 Politics with Data Science
This module examines critics of Western and liberal thought. Central to Western political theory is the social contract tradition, which holds that the exercise of political power is justified by the consent of the people. The readings for this module challenge this claim, arguing that the social contract has not been consented to by everyone (“we the people”), but rather by those who count as full members of society. In doing so, the social contract overlooks oppression and domination. Drawing on critics who engage with class, race, gender, and disability, the module explores how supposedly universal ideas of reason, freedom, and equality have excluded many people.
The aims of this module are:
- To introduce students to critics of liberalism and to stimulate interest in the topic.
- To familiarise students with key concepts in modern political theory and with debates that surround these concepts.
- To equip students with the understanding of the relevance of political theory to the study of politics.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to:
- Read, understand and discuss critics of liberalism
- Critically engage with key debates in the field
- Consider the limitations of ‘mainstream’ theories when applied in diverse contexts
- Identify and link concepts, theories and evidence
- Present ideas in written and verbal forms
Students in this module will have opportunities to improve the following employability-related skills:
- Understand the difference between normative and descriptive approaches to politics, and how ideas can drive change in systems, institutions, and behaviour.
- Critically evaluate policies and political phenomena by applying theoretical frameworks, evidence, and normative perspectives.
- Identify resources that can help them answers questions about the political and social world.
- Understand the need for clarity in the presentation of ideas, statements of theory, concepts, and causal relations.
- Appreciate that their knowledge is not hegemonic and that there are different forms of knowledge.
- Situate their community in a wider global context.
GV151 is highly recommended as a pre-requisite
This module will be delivered via:
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Quiz 1 |
|
40% |
| Coursework |
Quiz 2 |
|
60% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Laura Montanaro, email: lmonta@essex.ac.uk.
Teaching Staff: TBC
Module Supervisor: Dr Laura Montanaro, lmonta@essex.ac.uk / Student Administrator: govquery@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 371 hours, 20 (5.4%) hours available to students:
351 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Government
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