2008/09 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PIED3604 Culture and Community: Theoretical Perspectives

20 creditsClass Size: 45

Module manager: Dr Derek Edyvane
Email: D.J.Edyvane@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2008/09

This module is approved as an Elective

Module summary

Are you a multiculturalist? This module explores the philosophical underpinnings of the hotly contested political debate for and against multiculturalism in Western democracies. Many have argued that liberal democratic societies have a duty to respect cultural diversity by granting group-differentiated rights and cultural exemptions to the established rule of law. But this view is under attack. Increasingly, it has been argued that the politics of multiculturalism have led to social fragmentation, the breakdown of political community and a toxic climate of hostility and mistrust. What is the best political response to the fact of cultural diversity? The first half of the module will explore the different ways in which political philosophers have sought to answer that question by addressing a range of theoretical perspectives and live political issues. The second half of the module focuses on the idea of community. Here our central concern will be with the questions of whether and how it is possible to realise genuine political community and belonging in a culturally diverse society.

Objectives

This module aims to provide students with an awareness of theoretical debates about multiculturalism and the idea of political community. It promotes critical engagement with the literature devoted to these themes and seeks to encourage students to reflect upon the ways in which the two themes (culture and community) interrelate. Finally, the module aims to encourage the application of this theoretical background to the analysis of contemporary political issues.

Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of competing theories of multiculturalism and political community.
- Demonstrate an ability to engage critically with conceptual problems.
- Demonstrate an ability to apply theoretical insights relating to culture and community in the analysis of contemporary political issues.
- Communicate ideas accurately and clearly.

Syllabus

Part I : The Problem
1. Culture vs. community: the headscarves affair
Part II: Perspectives on Multiculturalism
2. Why identity matters: the politics of recognition
3. The cultural rights debate
4. Liberal states and illiberal religions
5. Multiculturalism and equality
6. The ethics of immigration
Part III ¿ Perspectives on Community
7. Why community matters: the `Britishness¿ debate
8. Liberal community
9. National community
10. Cultivating cohesion: multicultural education
11. Culture and community: the future

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	1 x 3,000 words	50.00
Essay	1 x 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 website

Last updated: 03/04/2009

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