2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
ARTF2049 The State of Utopia
20 creditsClass Size: 26
Module manager: Dr Liz Stainforth
Email: e.m.stainforth@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Pre-requisite qualifications
At least 20 credits of level 1 ARTF modulesThis module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
This module offers students the opportunity to explore a multitude of different ideal cities and model communities from the sixteenth century to the present day. The tracing of the various forms utopianism has adopted since Thomas More will take us into the fields of architecture, art, literature, politics, philosophy, sociology, women's studies and religion.In parallel to this historical approach to utopian thinking, students will be encouraged to think critically and imaginatively about our contemporary society and to propose a theoretically informed utopia for the future. The study of dystopias (failed social experiments) will be an unavoidable component of this module.Objectives
On completion of this module students should:- have a general sense of the various definitions available for understanding utopianism;
- be able to give an historicised account of the various ideal cities and communities explored by utopian thinkers since the sixteenth century;
- be in a position to argue critically for/against the desirability and viability of utopianism in our contemporary world of global capitalism.
Learning outcomes
Students will develop their verbal and written fluency in constructing a logical and coherent argument. They will participate in group discussions. Their intellectual agility and flexibility will be developed as they will be asked to consider texts that not only range from the C16th to the present day, but which also originate from the fields of political and social theory, literature, architectural history, philosophy.
Consequently their training on this module will be both historicising and interdisciplinary. They will further develop their skills in writing bibliographies and using databases (especially as this module is also concerned with current utopian projects which are only researchable through the www).
Skills outcomes
- Verbal and written fluency in constructing a logical and coherent argument
- Use of audio-visual aids
- Participation in group discussions
- Co-ordination and dissemination of a range of historical, contextual visual information
- Using bibliographies and databases.
Syllabus
This module offers students the opportunity to explore a multitude of different ideal cities and model communities from the sixteenth century to the present day.
The tracing of the various forms utopianism has adopted since Thomas More will take us into the fields of architecture, art, literature, politics, philosophy, sociology, women's studies and religion.
In parallel to this historical approach to utopian thinking, students will be encouraged to think critically and imaginatively about our contemporary society and to propose a theoretically informed utopia for the future. The study of dystopias (failed social experiments) will be an unavoidable component of this module.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Seminar | 10 | 2.00 | 20.00 |
| Private study hours | 180.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 20.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 | ||
Private study
- Class preparation/reading 80 hours- Essay preparation 40 hours
- Essay preparation 60 hours.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Attendance record kept- Seminar contribution and oral feedback
- Oral presentation (depending on class size)
- One item of assessment half way through the semester will provide a helpful indicator of student progress.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| Essay | Explication (1,500-2,000 words) | 20.00 |
| Essay | 2000-2500 words | 80.00 |
| Group Project | Unassessed group work | 0.00 |
| 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: 29/04/2024 16:10:27
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