Political Theory in Practice
| Code | School | Level | Credits | Semesters |
| POLI1030 | Politics and International Relations | 1 | 20 | Spring UK |
- Code
- POLI1030
- School
- Politics and International Relations
- Level
- 1
- Credits
- 20
- Semesters
- Spring UK
Summary
Political Theory in Practice acquaints students with the political concepts that are central to the theoretical, normative, and interpretative analysis of politics. The meanings of political concepts are essentially contested, and the definitions we give to these concepts set the terms of our political debate. This module interrogates concepts such as ‘democracy’, ‘legitimacy’, ‘freedom’ and ‘decolonisation’, while assessing the normative questions that animate them. While doing so, this module aims to equip students with skills in analytical reasoning, consistency, and justification in argument-building central to the discipline of political theory.
Target Students
Available to Year 1 UG students in the School of Politics and International Relations on single and joint honours plans. Also available to Year 1 UG students on the Liberal Arts plan, and incoming exchange students based in the School of Politics and International Relations.
Classes
This module is taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, and lecture engagements.
Assessment
- 50% Coursework 1: 2,000-word coursework.
- 50% Coursework 2: 2,000-word coursework
Assessed by end of spring semester
Educational Aims
This module aims to: (i) acquaint students with the core conceptual vocabulary used in political practice, and to familiarise students with the range of debates associated with these concepts; (ii) equip students with the skills in analytical and critical reasoning and the core principles of argument building and justification central to the discipline of political theory, and (iii) encourage students to apply theoretical concepts to particular issues and problems.Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
• Develop a general knowledge and understanding of the core theoretical concepts of political enquiry, and a familiarity with the debates that animate them.
• Apply abstract theoretical concept to particular issues and problems, and to understand the relationship between theory and practice.
Intellectual skills
• Acquire skills in analytical and critical reasoning and the core principles of argument building and justification central to the discipline of political theory.
Professional and practical skills
• Access a range of research material in the discipline of political theory, including primary and secondary sources.
• Demonstrate skills in critical reading and textual analysis of key literature, as well as preparing for, discussing, and writing about their knowledge.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop and state a thesis and provide reasoned support and argument for it, drawing on relevant empirical evidence where necessary and appropriate.
Transferable (key) skills
• Communicate effectively in writing.
• Develop leadership and teamwork skills by working in groups to devise and answer questions.
• Research independently to draw on primary and secondary sources including journals and monographs.