Demonstrate an understanding of core elements of the course material.

Knowledge and Understanding:

A student should be able to display knowledge and understanding of key issues in the subject area. This might include

knowledge and understanding of:

• different conceptions of ‘justice’;
• a selection of views concerning:the legitimacy or otherwise of political power and different forms of government; the basis and proper limits of state control, individual freedom and political community; property; human, legal and moral rights; oppression, discrimination and affirmative action; equality; crime and punishment.

Intellectual Skills:

See Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills, Transferable Skills.

A student should also be able to:

• reconstruct an argument;
• critically evaluate an argument;
• give reasons both for and against an argument.

Discipline Specific (including practical) Skills:

See Intellectual Skills, Transferable Skills.

A student should also be able to:

• critically read and analyse a philosophical text;
• use philosophical vocabulary appropriate to the subject matter of the specific course;
• formulate and defend a philosophical thesis;
• constructively discuss philosophical ideas with others.
•   

There will be a mixture of lectures and seminars, the precise proportion to be determined by the needs of the students

enrolled. The seminar element may include debate, discussion, group activities, presentations and readings. Additional

reading material will be recommended and a reading list will be supplied. If appropriate, other materials such as

documentaries may also be included. Course handouts will be provided as appropriate.

The seminars will encourage the development of knowledge and understanding of the ideas and concepts discussed in

the course. Intellectual skills will be encouraged through participation in class discussion, reading and coursework.

20 contact hours. 

A student should also be able to:

• recognise, analyse and criticise arguments;
• explain and defend a view clearly and concisely whether orally or in writing;
• respond constructively to disagreement;
• evaluate claims in the context of historical and contemporary debates about social and political issues;

formulate useful questions about policies or proposals concerning social and political matters. 

Assessment will be through coursework. This may take the form of either one 1500-2000 word essay or a number of

shorter written pieces totalling approximately 1500-2000 words.

Coursework will allow a student to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of some of the central concepts of the

philosophers discussed; also to display their intellectual, discipline-specific and transferable skills.

At the tutor’s discretion, part of the coursework (up to half) may be assessed by oral presentation, in which case the

student’s notes may be submitted as evidence of the presentation’s content. 

What grounds political authority? Do some beings have rights and, if so, what is their nature and basis? Which forms of

government are just? What is oppression? In what circumstances, if any, is affirmative action justified? When is property

legitimate? What is the nature of equality? How should we decide conflicts between individual freedom and community

welfare? What kinds of judicial processes and punishments are acceptable?

Political and social philosophy can inform our understanding of political and social relationships. This course introduces

students to a variety of topics in social and political philosophy, focusing primarily on ideas from the western analytic

tradition. No previous knowledge of philosophy is assumed.

Topics may include:

• different conceptions of ‘justice’;

• the legitimacy or otherwise of political power and different forms of government;

• the basis and proper limits of state control, individual freedom and political community;

• property;

• human, legal and moral rights;

• oppression, discrimination and affirmative action;

• equality;

• crime and punishment.

The course may draw on case studies and examples from fiction and non-fiction to illustrate the theoretical positions

discussed and students are encouraged to draw further examples from their own experience.