2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PIED2640 Theories of Justice
20 creditsClass Size: 122
Module manager: Dr Maureen Ramsey
Email: M.A.Ramsey@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
You should take this module if you are interested in social, political and economic justice. You will explore questions such as: are inequalities in wealth and income justified? Should people be rewarded for their abilities, efforts or contribution to society? On what grounds should people by given welfare? How far should justice be concerned with protecting individual rights, with the satisfaction of basic needs? Is legal punishment justified? Do we punish people who break the law to reform them, to prevent future crimes or because they deserve it? Do theories of justice ignore women? Is it ever right to go to war? What responsibilities do rich nations owe to the poor? At the end of the module you will have explored traditional and contemporary thinking on these topics and will be able to critically assess different viewpoints as well as voraciously defend your own views.For further information see the School of Politics and International Studies website. If you cannot find the answer to your question then email M.A.Ramsay@leeds.ac.ukObjectives
On completion of this module, students will be able to:- understand and appraise key theories and concepts relating to social and criminal justice;
- apply methods of critical analysis to current issues and debates;
- use analytic and critical reasoning skills; present, construct and justify arguments; and
- communicate ideas accurately and clearly.
Syllabus
The module first examines some compelling accounts of justice: justice as desert, utilitarianism, Rawls's theory of justice as fairness and Nozick's entitlement theory. It then considers some important challenges to these mainstream ideas, before applying theory to issues including gender equality, punishment and war.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Lecture | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Seminar | 11 | 1.00 | 11.00 |
| Private study hours | 178.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 22.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
1 x 3000 words formative essayMethods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | 3,000 words | 50.00 |
| Essay | 3,000 words | 50.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 03/04/2009
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