GV151-4-AU-CO:
Authority and Morality

The details
2025/26
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Thursday 02 October 2025
Friday 12 December 2025
15
10 March 2025

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

BA L200 Politics,
BA L201 Politics (Including Year Abroad),
BA L202 Politics (Including Foundation Year),
BA L203 Politics (Including Placement Year),
BA L225 Politics and International Relations,
BA L226 Politics and International Relations (Including Year Abroad),
BA L227 Politics and International Relations (Including Placement Year),
BSC L222 Politics and International Relations,
BSC L223 Politics and International Relations (Including Year Abroad),
BSC L224 Politics and International Relations (Including Placement Year),
MPOLL234 Politics and International Relations,
MPOLL235 Politics and International Relations (Including Placement Year),
MPOLL236 Politics and International Relations (Including Year Abroad)

Module description

This module examines universal political themes such as authority, legitimacy, justice, freedom, and equality from a philosophical and moral perspective. We study some classical texts in the Western tradition of political thought with the main aim of understanding the implications they have for us today. We will explore the ways in which these ideas have shaped the institutions that govern present-day societies, and how they can help us make sense of current politics. At the same time, we will take care to locate these texts in their respective historical contexts to better understand them as political acts. Our purpose in engaging with these texts is not to canonize them. Rather, it is to understand their contribution to the history of the western world – for better or for worse. After completing this module, GV150 is highly recommended for those interested in critiques of the Western tradition.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To introduce students to the study of the history of political thought and to stimulate interest in the topic.

  • To familiarise students with key concepts in political theory such as authority, freedom, rights, equality, and with key debates on the meaning and the application of these concepts.

  • To equip students with the understanding of the relevance of political theory to the study of politics.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:



  1. Read, understand, and discuss classical texts in the history of Western political thought.

  2. Understand the place and the relevance of normative debates to the study of politics.

  3. Appreciate how political ideas and values help to shape real-world practices and institutions.

  4. Demonstrate a basic understanding of key political concepts such as authority, freedom, equality etc. and the theoretical debates regarding them.

  5. Improve their critical thinking and communication skills.


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.

  • Apply theory and evidence to support one’s own argument.

  • Critically evaluate policies and political phenomena by applying theoretical frameworks, evidence, and normative perspectives.

  • Understand the need for clarity in the presentation of ideas, statements of theory, concepts, and causal relations.

  • Communicate ideas clearly using rigorous arguments.

  • Engage other students in class discussions and share experiences of learning.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • 2 hour seminar

Bibliography*

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   Test 1    40% 
Coursework   Test 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

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Isabella Trifan, email: isabella.trifan@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Isabella Trifan
isabella.trifan@essex.ac.uk Module Administrator: Nicole Hicks govquery@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
Yes
Yes
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 2 hours, 2 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Government

* Please note: due to differing publication schedules, items marked with an asterisk (*) base their information upon the previous academic year.

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