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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.uk

Objectives

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 typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture111.0011.00
Seminar111.0011.00
Private study hours178.00
Total Contact hours22.00
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 typeNotes% of formal assessment
Essay2 x 3,000 words100.00
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 website

Last updated: 03/04/2009

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