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 PHIL719
Coordinator Dr SA Hailwood
Philosophy
Hailwood@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2013-14 M Level Second Semester 15

Aims
  • To help students achieve an advanced understanding of some important debates in political philosophy.
  • To guide students in the analysis some of the key concepts, such as freedom, equality and justice involved in such debates.
  • To familiarise students with some important theories in political philosophy.
  • To provide students the opportunity to develop to an advanced level the ability to write well-argued and coherent work of their own.
  • In these ways to help prepare students for research in a related area.

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the module will have acquired a sophisticated awareness of some main concepts involved in philosophical discussion of political questions. They will be able to demonstrate knowledge of some important debates in political philosophy and a critical awareness of the strenghts and weakness of some important theories in the field. Their essays will demonstrate a more rigorous understanding of one of the topics covered on the module and of the arguments involved. Those receiving a mark in the 60-69 range will have produced work suggesting the ability to go on to a research degree; those receiving a mark of 70 or higher will have demonstrated this ability.


Syllabus
1 

Introduction     Freedom

2 

Equality

3 

Rawls & Liberal Egalitarianism

4 

Nozick & Libertarianism

5 

Communitarianism

6 

No lectures or seminars in Philosophy

7 

Feminism

8 

Democracy

9 

Multiculturalism

10 

Ecologism

11 

Value Pluralism

12 

Overview


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching will be through weekly masters level seminar discussion of topics and set readings covered on the module. Students will write a 3,000 word essay. Students will be encouraged, but not required, to attend the Phil219 lectures.


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

         11
Timetable (if known) Daytime
  		Daytime
  		         
Private Study 139
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment
EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)		 % of
final
mark		 Resit/resubmission
opportunity		 Penalty for late
submission		 Notes
One essay  3,000 words  1  100       

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