2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PIED2650 Theories of Political Morality
20 creditsClass Size: 122
Module manager: Dr Derek Edyvane
Email: D.J.Edyvane@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2008/09
This module is approved as an Elective
Module summary
Politicians have been known to lie, cheat, steal and even kill in the name of the greater political good. This sort of behaviour would be condemnable in the personal sphere, but the world of politics seems different: is it evil for a politician to order the torture of a terrorist suspect whose time-bomb threatens the lives of thousands of civilians? Is the politician who lies to the public in order to avert panic and disorder a bad person? Centrally, can it ever be right for a politician to do wrong? This module concentrates on questions like these by exploring philosophically the nature and status of wrongdoing in contemporary politics. The first part of the module introduces the ideas of personal and political integrity and `Machiavelli's Challenge: the contention that wrongdoing is a necessary feature of effective political action. The second part considers a series of theoretical responses to that challenge. Finally, the third part of the module addresses a range of live political issues that raise serious questions of political morality.For further information see the School of Politics and International Studies website. If you cannot find the answer to your question then email D.J.Edyvane@leeds.ac.ukObjectives
This module aims to provide students with an awareness of the nature and peculiarity of political morality. It encourages critical engagement with related theoretical problems of 'dirty hands' and 'political integrity' (as contrasted with personal integrity) and seeks to promote reflection on live political issues against this theoretical background.Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of competing theories of political morality.
- Demonstrate an ability to engage critically with conceptual problems.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply theoretical insights relating to political morality in the analysis of contemporary political issues.
- Communicate ideas accurately and clearly.
Syllabus
Part I - Public and Private Morality
1. An introduction to political morality
2. Personal integrity: basic approaches
3. Dirty politics: Machiavelli's Challenge
Part II - Theories
4. Politics and innocence
5. Politics and experience
6. The virtuous politician
Part III - Puzzles
7. Ticking Bomb: the ethics of torture
8. Justifying terrorism
9. Politics, trust and deceit
10. Freedom of expression and radicalisation
11. Liberty vs. security
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 |
Private study
Students are required to read core and additional readings listed in the reading list in preparation for seminar discussion and essays. This entails careful and reflective reading, note-taking, summarising, preparation for class discussion, and developing a sense of a field of literature in addition to engagement with individual readings. Students are also encouraged to use their initiative and skills of discernment in finding additional material relevant to the course topics.Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Student attendance will be monitored on a weekly basis;- Student contribution to class discussion will be monitored throughout the course, but not assessed
Methods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Essay | 2 x 3,000 words | 100.00 |
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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