Module description
This module critically examines the development of philosophical views on the nature and authority of the state from the Sixteenth to the Twentieth Centuries. This period encompasses the emergence of the modern state system, the high tide of European colonialism, and the development of liberal, democratic, fascist, and socialist modes of state governance—throughout which time philosophers aimed to theorise the nature of state authority and the changing relationship between citizen and state. Here, we focus specifically on the social contract tradition, examining key thinkers within it such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Rawls, as well as influential criticisms of it grounded in Hegelianism, Marxism, feminism and critical race theory.
Assessment details
Summative assessment: 1 x 2-hour exam (100%)
Formative assessment: 1 x 2,000-word essay
Educational aims & objectives
- To engage with a selection of important texts in the history of political philosophy, and to consider why these are key texts.
- To draw upon the texts in order to think carefully about central debates, concepts, traditions and controversies in political philosophy.
- To reflect on enduring themes in political philosophy, such as the relationship/tension between liberty and authority.
- To examine different approaches to developing an argument in political philosophy, as exemplified by canonical thinkers.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, the students will be able to demonstrate intellectual, transferable and practicable skills appropriate to a Level 5 module and in particular will be able to demonstrate:
- A good understanding of the core texts and debates that they have studied in depth.
- A recognition of the importance of these texts in the history of political philosophy.
- The ability to analyse, interpret and assess the arguments of the thinkers in question within their historical context
Teaching pattern
One one-hour weekly lecture and one one-hour weekly seminar over ten weeks.