PIR-10045: Justice, Authority and Power

School of Politics, International Relations & Philosophy

PIR-10045

Justice, Authority and Power

Co-ordinator:

Dr Monica Mookherjee Room: CBA1.026, Tel:33213

Teaching Team:

Dr Brian Doherty, Mrs Paula Hughes Dr Jonathan Parker Prof Bulent Gokay Mrs Julie Street Dr Monica Mookherjee Prof Andrew Dobson Dr Sherilyn MacGregor Dr Sorin Baiasu Dr Philip Catney, Miss Laura Barcroft, Mrs Diane Mason, Dr Rachel Turner, Dr Chris Zebrowski

Lecture Time:

See Timetable...

Level:

Credits:

Study Hours:

150

School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for

International Relations Dual Honours (Level 1)
International Relations Major (Level 1)
International Relations Minor (Level 1)
International Relations Single Honours (Level 1)
Philosophy Dual Honours (Level 1)
Philosophy Major (Level 1)
Philosophy Minor (Level 1)
Politics Dual Honours (Level 1)
Politics Minor (Level 1)

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Yes

Prerequisites

nil

Barred Combinations

nil

Description

This module introduces students to the central debates in the history of Western political thought concerning justice and related concepts of political authority, power, liberty and the social contract. By posing critical questions concerning the nature and limits of state power, it provides a stimulating and enlightening opportunity for students in a wide range of disciplines, whether or not taking a principal degree in Politics, Philosophy and International Relations, to become familiar with the origin and development of the most influential ideas that have shaped modern states and societies.

The module firstly examines core issues in classical political thought through a study of Plato and Aristotle. Their writings present controversial but significant arguments for the universality of justice, the common good and the justification of elite power. The second part focuses on modern approaches to justice that focus principally on individual liberty, the social contract and the difference between wielding power and possessing legitimate authority to rule. The theories of Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau contrast with those of the classical world, and are generally considered to have inaugurated the widespread defence of representative government and democracy around the world today.

Ten lectures introduce the main concepts and thinkers covered in the module, and are accompanied by a corresponding number of weekly meetings of small one-hour tutorial groups. In these tutorials, students have the opportunity to debate specific themes and questions. Students are also asked to undertake self-assessed, summative multiple choice tests during the course of the module, and are encouraged to seek their tutors' advice with respect to any gaps in their knowledge that emerge as a result of these examinations. Students also receive prompt formative feedback on an essay-plan, which they are then asked to develop into a polished piece of written work, which is summatively assessed.

Aims

1. To introduce first year students to core ideas in the history of Western political thought, including justice, political authority, state power and the social contract.

2. To convey to students the changing historical meaning of these concepts through a study of major thinkers in Western political thought, including Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau.

3. To enable students to acquire subject-specific knowledge as well as employability skills, including the capacity for analysis and argumentation through writing essays; and information technology skills by undertaking self-assessed multiple choice tests.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Recognise and define the major political concepts in the history of Western political thought. will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
Identify and illustrate the philosophical underpinnings of the different thinkers' approaches to issues of justice, authority and power, as presented in lectures and discussed in seminars. will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02, 03
Demonstrate rigour in the critical assessment of arguments presented in pertinent texts in the history of political thought, as prescribed in the module reading-list and, where appropriate, arising from the student's own searches. will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02,03
Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the historical context, major writings and other crucial information relating to thinkers of the Western political tradition. will be achieved by assessments: 03
Develop a sustained and well-supported perspective on issues of justice, authority and power. will be achieved by assessments: 01, 02

Study hours

10 hours attendance at lectures;
10 hours attendance at seminars;
45 hours preparation for seminars;
10 hours revision for two multiple-choice tests;
5 hours undertaking two multiple choice self-assessed tests by means of designated software;
20 hours researching and writing the essay plan for consultation with a member of staff;
50 hours researching and writing the essay

Description of Module Assessment

01: Essay-Plan (must pass this element)

Tutor-assessed essay-plan of 500 words. Summatively assessed, with formative feedback.
Students will be asked to formulate, an essay plan that demonstrates clear engagement with the primary and secondary literature in one important area of inquiry covered in the module. The purpose of the exercise is to encourage students to concentrate on a specific theoretical problem, and to summarise succinctly the main arguments that may be raised in relation to it in the course of defending a well-defined point of view.

02: Essay weighted 70%

Tutor-assessed essay of 1,500 words. Summatively assessed.
At a specified date after the end of the teaching programme, students will be asked to submit an essay from a given list of questions. The purpose of this task is to provide the student with the experience of presenting a sustained analysis of a particular concept or thinker, or combination of both, that would utilise their critical and logical skills, whilst also familiarising them with key conventions in academic writing, such as consistent referencing, accurate self-expression and capacity for the reasoned evaluation of contrary perspectives.

03: Multiple Choice Questions - Knowledge weighted 30%

A multiple-choice test, self-assessed by means of 'Respondus' software.
One self-assessed multiple choice examination worth 20% of the final grade will be designed, and will be summatively assessed. This test is designed for the diagnostic purpose of enabling students to become aware of any gaps in their understanding and to address them with the help of their tutor. Therefore, the primary purpose of this assessment is to motivate students to acquire both broad and specific knowledge relating to the two major periods of the Western political tradition addressed in this module (namely, the classical and early modern periods). An additional purpose is to encourage students to develop capacities for effective time-management, self-responsibility and computer literacy.

Reading Sources