Module Directory

The study of politics includes not only the study of how the political world operates, but also the study of how it should operate. GV538 examines a set of issues that continue to receive considerable attention within contemporary normative political theory. More specifically, this module will introduce you to cutting edge research concerning issues of social justice.

We will examine a number of concrete social and political controversies that are central to contemporary politics, and which may be illuminated through the study of normative political philosophy. Very roughly, this module is split into three parts and, together, these display a cradle-to-grave structure. We shall begin with (i) issues regarding procreation, parenting, and education; then we shall consider (ii) issues concerning individuals’ working lives; and we shall conclude by examining (iii) issues relating to later life and death.

The aims of this module are:

• To introduce students to recent debates in normative political theory about social justice issues that affect individuals at various life stages.


• To provide students with an understanding of how normative political theory can inform both individual morality and public policy.


• To encourage students to question their own beliefs about social justice issues and to begin to formulate their own, theoretically-informed views about what is just.

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

1. Read, understand, and discuss complex arguments in normative political theory;


2. Understand the place and the relevance of normative theory to public policy and to social justice debates more broadly;


3. Understand key political concepts such as equality, freedom, rights, fairness, and the current theoretical debates regarding them;


4. Apply critical thinking skills to ideas and arguments about social justice expressed by politicians or encountered on social media;


5. Reflect on and formulate their own views about justice using logical argumentation, and to communicate them clearly to others;


6. Write clear and cogent essays engaging with normative arguments.

• 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;


• Develop a plan to answer a research question in a systematic and rigorous manner;


• 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.

The module also enables students to acquire the following generic and transferable skills:

• Library and Internet research


• Data collection, presentation, and analysis


• Exposition and argumentation in a structured fashion


• Presenting verbal arguments to classroom peers


• Production of short well-researched reports


• Working to deadlines


• Conducting oneself in a scholarly and professional manner

This module will be delivered via:

• 2 hour seminar