Module Details
The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title THEMES IN POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY
Code PHIL219
Coordinator Dr SA Hailwood
Philosophy
Hailwood@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2013-14 Level Two Second Semester 15

Aims

To help students understand some important debates in political philosophy, and analyse some of the key concepts, such as freedom and equality, involved in such debates. To enable students to appreciate some main critical perspectives on mainstream political thinking.


Learning Outcomes

Students will have read and discussed selected texts of importance in shaping debates in political philosophy.  They will also have analysed various key concepts and acquired an awareness of some of the different ways familiar ideas can be understood.  They will have further improved their ability to analyse concepts and arguments.  They will also have further improved their IT, written and oral skills.


Syllabus
1 

Introduction     Freedom

2 

Equality

3 

Rawls & Liberal Egalitarianism

4 

Nozick & Libertarianism

5 

Communitarianism

6 

INDEPENDENT STUDY WEEK: no lectures or seminars in Philosophy

7 

Feminism

8 

Democracy

9 

Multiculturalism

10 

Marxism

11 

Ecologism

12 

Overview


Teaching and Learning Strategies

One lectures and one seminar per week. Seminar discussion of set readings, lecture contents and additional material made available through VITAL. One to one discussion of feedback provided on the coursework essays.


Teaching Schedule
  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 11

 10

       1
Feedback discussion
22
Timetable (if known) Daytime
  		Daytime
  		         
Private Study 128
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Exam  2 hours  2  60  As standard.  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details   
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
Essay  2000 words  2  30  As standard.  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details   
Presentation  10-15 minutes  2  10  No  Standard University Policy applies - see Department/School handbook for details   

Recommended Texts

Goodin, R. & Pettit, P. (eds) Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Anthology

Kymlicka, W. Contemporary Political Philosophy

Mulhall, S. & Swift, A. Liberals and Communitarians

Nozick, R. Anarchy, State and Utopia

Rawls, J. A Theory of Justice

Rawls, J. Justice asFairness

Sandel, M. Liberalism and its Critics