2022/23 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PHIL2321 Political Philosophy
20 creditsClass Size: 130
Module manager: Dr Gerald Lang
Email: G.R.Lang@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2022/23
Pre-requisite qualifications
Either PHIL 1080; or PHIL 1333 and 1444; or PRHS 1000; or 20 credits of Level 1 Politics.This module is mutually exclusive with
PHIL2300 | Political Philosophy |
Module replaces
PHIL2300This module is not approved as a discovery module
Module summary
What is authority? And does the state have it over us? Do we have an obligation to obey the law? Which states, if any, are legitimate and what does it take for a state to have legitimate authority over its population? This module introduces the key concepts of political legitimacy and authority. It deals with contemporary theories of the justification of the state, or lack thereof, including the work of liberals such as John Rawls and Joseph Raz, libertarians such as Robert Nozick, and anarchists such as R.P. Wolff. It will also deal with the question of whether we have obligations to disobey the state and its purported authority. We will look at contemporary work on civil and uncivil disobedience. We will discuss when such disobedience is justified and whether it is obligatory. We will discuss when, if ever, it’s right to stand up to the state and break its laws and if we may ever do so violently.Objectives
On completion of this module, students should be able to:1. show some understanding of the views and arguments of contemporary political philosophers, and reveal a grasp of how their positions relate to one another;
2. demonstrate a broad understanding of particular concepts in political philosophy including authority, legitimacy, and political obligation
3. articulate their own responses to the issues raised;
4. manifest skills of philosophical argument and analysis.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. show some understanding of the views and arguments of contemporary political philosophers, and reveal a grasp of how their positions relate to one another;
2. demonstrate a broad understanding of particular concepts in political philosophy including authority, legitimacy, and political obligation
3. articulate their own responses to the issues raised;
4. manifest skills of philosophical argument and analysis.
Syllabus
This module will provide students with a solid grasp of the central views in contemporary political philosophy. It will focus on the key issues of political authority, state legitimacy, and political obligation. It will also introduce students to political justification and civil disobedience. Students will gain an in depth knowledge of a key area of contemporary political philosophy through both introductory texts and cutting edge research dealing with several of the most important concepts in the area.
Teaching methods
Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
Lecture | 16 | 1.00 | 16.00 |
Seminar | 5 | 1.00 | 5.00 |
Private study hours | 179.00 | ||
Total Contact hours | 21.00 | ||
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200.00 |
Private study
Seminar preparation: 79 hoursEssay preparation: 100 hours
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
Seminar discussion and feedback on 1,000 word essay planMethods of assessment
Coursework
Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
Essay | 3000 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: 29/04/2022 15:26:27
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