Political philosophers differ over which principles and values we should accept, as well as how we should apply these principles and values to political controversies. However, political philosophers have also increasingly devoted their attention to debates about the nature and scope of politics and political philosophy itself, as well as the appropriate way to justify claims in political philosophy. This course will examine some of these methodological debates, including whether political philosophers should engage in so-called ‘ideal’ rather than ‘non-ideal’ theory, and whether political philosophy should be understood as a branch of ethics. The module will also explore some of the historical roots of these debates, focusing on the works of philosophers such as Marx, Nietzsche and Hobbes. It will also examine the crucial importance of these methodological issues for more applied debates in political theory.

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of debates and the nature and scope of politics.
• demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the major methodological issues which divide contemporary political philosophers and the historical origins of these issues.
• demonstrate understanding of the relationship between methodological and applied debates in political philosophy.
• demonstrate the ability to critically engage with the arguments of a variety of political philosophers, past and present.

Teaching will be through a combination of weekly lectures and seminars. Seminars will take the form of discussion sessions led by a member of staff. Students will be expected to have read selected readings prior to seminar classes, and be able to discuss them.

This module will be taught using printed books and using journal articles available online (e.g. via Learning Central) or from the library. Timetabled sessions will be supplemented with written material in the form of a detailed summary of the session content, questions and/or instructions for discussion and a list of further reading. This supplementary material will be provided in the form of a printed handout and on Learning Central. Any supplementary material in a permanent form (e.g. a paper handout or downloadable document) will be made available at least 24 hours before the session.

Images, diagrams, sound, video or other multimedia resources will not be used in this module.

Skills that will be practised and developed:

• the ability to describe several main theories
• the ability to critically assess the main strengths and weaknesses of these theories
• the ability to extract material relevant to a particular problem from a body of literature
• the ability to evaluate chains of complex reasoning
• the ability to classify philosophical arguments as valid or invalid, convincing or unconvincing
• the ability to work independently

Transferable/Employability Skills:

It is worth bearing in mind that, even though the point of the module is to do philosophy, many of the skills you'll be developing are also highly valued by graduate employers.

These include:

Critical Thinking: e.g. the ability to quickly understand, structure and critically evaluate the key points and arguments made in written texts and discussions - achieved through, for example, reading, small group activities in seminars, plenary discussions in seminars, reflecting on lecture materials, essay writing.

Communication: the ability to formulate and articulate your critical thinking, both orally and on paper, in ways that your peers can grasp and engage with - achieved through, for example, small group work in seminars, seminar discussions, essay writing.

Organisation: the ability to organise and coordinate workloads - achieved through balancing, for example, reading, seminar preparation, essay writing.

Working with others: e.g. co-constructing ideas, responding sensitively to others - achieved through, for example, small group work in seminars, group presentations.

The formative assessment for this module will take the form of two essays of 1,500 words, on a specified topic. This essay should be submitted via Learning Central, by the dates specified on the semester question lists. Essays submitted after these dates, without good cause, may not be marked in time for the revision period. Essays will be returned via email.

The summative assessment for this module will take the form of one portfolio essay in combination with one 90 minute written examination. The two components of the assessment will carry equal weighting.

The portfolio essay will consist of one essay of a maximum of 2,000 words. This essay will be selected from the same list of titles as for the formative essays. The essay must be written especially for the portfolio, and must not be discussed with the module leader. It may, however, be based upon a formative essay, although the greater maximum length of essay indicates that a more thorough and detailed critical discussion of the chosen title is expected.

In the written examination the student will answer one question from a list.

This module is assessed according to the Marking Criteria set out in the Philosophy Course Guide. There are no academic or competence standards which limit the availability of adjustments or alternative assessments for students with disabilities.

These books, in some parts, are indicative of the subject matter. You are advised not to purchase books until seeing the reading list.

Bernard Williams, In the Beginning Was the Deed: Realism and Moralism in Political Argument, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2005

David Leopold and Marc Stears (eds.), Political Theory: Methods and Approaches, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008

Charles Mills, ‘“Ideal Theory” as Ideology’ in Hypatia, 2005, Vol 20, Issue 3, pp.165-183

These books, in some parts, are indicative of the subject matter. You are advised not to purchase books until seeing the reading list.

Bernard Williams, In the Beginning Was the Deed: Realism and Moralism in Political Argument, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2005

David Leopold and Marc Stears (eds.), Political Theory: Methods and Approaches, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008

Charles Mills, ‘“Ideal Theory” as Ideology’ in Hypatia, 2005, Vol 20, Issue 3, pp.165-183