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| Unit name |
Contemporary Political Theory |
| Unit code |
POLI22202 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
I/5
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Dr. Butt |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None
|
| Co-requisites |
None
|
| School/department |
School of Sociology, Politics and International Studies |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit provides a comprehensive introduction to the main theorists and issues in contemporary political theory. It introduces students to four distinct liberal theories of justice as articulated by Rawls, Nozick, Gauthier and Dworkin. It then explores four key debates that have emerged in relation to these liberal theories of justice, namely: communitarianism, multiculturalism, deliberative democracy and feminism.
The unit aims to:
- provide a comprehensive overview of the main traditions and issues in contemporary political theory
- provide students with a detailed understanding of four key liberal theories of justice
- provide students with a detailed understanding of four key critiques of these liberal theories of justice
- enable students to grasp the practical relevance of contemporary political theoretical debates to current issues in policy and politics.
Intended Learning Outcomes
At the end of the unit a successful student will be able to:
- Describe the key debates in contemporary political theory
- Explain and discuss key texts by Rawls, Nozick, Gauthier and Dworkin
- Analyse and compare the critiques of these liberal theories of justice developed by communitarian, multicultural, deliberative and feminist theorists
- Construct articulate, concise and persuasive arguments in written essays, which apply these debates to current issues in policy and politics.
The summative essay assesses the extent to which students have achieved outcomes 1, 2 and 4. The seen exam assesses the extent to which students have achieved outcomes 1, 3 and 4.
Teaching Information
2 hours of lectures and 1 hour seminar
Assessment Information
2,000 word essay 40%, 2 hour seen exam 60%
Reading and References
- Dworkin, Ronald, (2000) Sovereign Virtue. Harvard University Press
- Farrelly, Colin (2004) An Introduction to Contemporary Political Theory. Sage
- Farrelly, Colin (ed.) (2004) Contemporary Political Theory: A Reader. Sage
- Gauthier, David (1986) Morals by Agreement. Oxford University Press
- Nozick, Robert (1974) Anarchy, State and Utopia. Basic Books
- Rawls, John (revised edition) (1999) A Theory of Justice. Oxford University Press
