PY437-5-SP-CO:
Modern Social and Political Thought
2016/17
Philosophy
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
15
-
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA V500 Philosophy,
BA V501 Philosophy (Including Year Abroad),
BA V502 Philosophy (Including Foundation Year),
BA V5M9 Philosophy with Human Rights,
BA V5MX Philosophy with Human Rights (Including Year Abroad)
Module Outline
This module will introduce students to key debates in modern social and political thought. It will give students a deeper understanding of our intellectual and socio-political history as well as a more profound perspective on the still active debates stemming from the positions taken by these philosophers. In the process, we will come to see modernity in terms of a specific set of problems rather than one particular answer to them. We will focus on seminal texts by authors such as Thomas Hobbes, Baruch de Spinoza and Jean-Jacques Rousseau whose contributions have radically transformed our understanding of social and political life. We will explore the roots of modern notions like the state and society and scrutinise the nature of freedom, power, and democracy. Finally, we will consider whether these authors accounts of social misdevelopments can still guide for critiques of contemporary society.
Learning Outcomes
The aims of the module are:
* to introduce students to selected texts of some of the leading philosophers of the early modern period;
* to introduce students to core issues in metaphysics, epistemology and (particularly during the spring term also) moral, social and political philosophy through the study of these texts;
* to give students some impression of how the texts and authors selected contributed to the theoretical framework underlying developments in philosophy, political theory, moral psychology and natural science.
By the end of the module, students should be able in their essay and examination work to:
* summarise and expound in their own words theories and arguments from early modern philosophy;
* expound and criticise commentaries on the traditional authors and texts;
* expound and criticise some of the theories proposed by philosophers to cope with problems raised by selected authors.
By the end of the module, students should also have acquired a set of transferable skills, and in particular be able to:
* define the task in which they are engaged and exclude what is irrelevant;
* seek and organize the most relevant discussions and sources of information;
* process a large volume of diverse and sometimes conflicting arguments;
* compare and evaluate different arguments and assess the limitations of their own position or procedure;
* write and present verbally a succinct and precise account of positions, arguments, and their presuppositions and implications;
* be sensitive to the positions of others and communicate their own views in ways that are accessible to them;
* think 'laterally' and creatively - see interesting connections and possibilities and present these clearly rather than as vague hunches;
* maintain intellectual flexibility and revise their own position if shown wrong;
* think critically and constructively.
No information available.
No information available.
Incoming Study Abroad students must have already taken an introductory module in Philosophy at their home institution.
1 x 2-hour lecture and discussion session each week, followed by a one-hour discussion seminar at which issues covered in the lecture will be discussed. Week 21 is a Reading Week.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Group Presentation of 20-25 minutes |
|
25% |
| Coursework |
Participation |
|
5% |
| Coursework |
Essay 1: 1000 words |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Essay 2: 3000 words |
|
50% |
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 Joerg Schaub; jschaub@essex.ac.uk,
Sarah Mumford, Deputy School Administrator email: smumfo@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
No external examiner information available for this module.
Available via Moodle
Of 45 hours, 45 (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).
Philosophy
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