Module Directory

This module examines some of the central issues in contemporary political philosophy. What is political philosophy, and how do we argue philosophically about politics? We will study some of the foundational concepts of political philosophy, such justice, equality and freedom and apply them to discussions in contemporary politics.

The topic will be equality of opportunity. We will study some of the conceptions of equality of opportunity that are prevalent in contemporary political philosophy, examine their normative underpinnings in different theories of justice, and ask whether equality of opportunity can ever be fully realised. We will also look at some concepts that are closely related to equality of opportunity, such as social competition, meritocracy, and parental rights.

The aims of this module are to:

• Learn about some of the key concepts of contemporary political philosophy.


• Develop a better grasp of at least one current debate in political philosophy.


• Critically examine the presuppositions and assumptions we often make when talking about politics.


• Appreciate the different ways in which political philosophy bears on politics.

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

1. Summarise in their own words, and critically assess, the principal theories and philosophical perspectives examined in this course.


2. Compare and evaluate conflicting accounts of basic concepts of political philosophy.


3. Offer detailed philosophical analysis and critique of journal articles published in the field.


4. Demonstrate an understanding of the relation between political theory and practice by relating, for example, particular theories to their own experience of political life.

Skills for your Professional Life (Transferable Skills)

By the end of the module, students should also have acquired a set of transferable skills, and in particular, be able to:

1. Define the task in which they are engaged and exclude what is irrelevant.


2. Seek and organise the most relevant discussions and sources of information.


3. Process a large volume of diverse and sometimes conflicting arguments.


4. Compare and evaluate different arguments and assess the limitations of their own position or procedure.


5. Write and present verbally a succinct and precise account of positions, arguments, and their presuppositions and implications.


6. Be sensitive to the positions of others and communicate their own views in ways that are accessible to them.


7. Think 'laterally' and creatively - see interesting connections and possibilities and present these clearly rather than as vague hunches.


8. Maintain intellectual flexibility and revise their own position if shown wrong.


9. Think critically and constructively.

Incoming Study Abroad students must have already taken two Philosophy modules at their home institution.

This module will be delivered via:

• One 2-hour combined lecture and seminar per week.
• One 1-hour class per week.

There will also be Reading Week when no teaching will take place, exact week to be confirmed