IR4565 Contemporary Political Theory: from revolution to recognition

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 1

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

Tuesday 12 noon - 2pm and Tuesday 3pm - 5pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr N E G Saunders

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr Natasha Saunders

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module explores the political and social thought of the twentieth century - a century of turmoil and paradox. Rather than the stereotype image of ivory-tower intellectuals unconnected to 'the real world', the thinkers examined in this module were (and are) thoroughly immersed in the unfolding of some of the twentieth century's formative events - from the rise of Communism, to war, occupation and genocide, decolonisation, and the civil rights movement - and their work is dedicated to understanding these events and resolving the concrete political problems that these events revealed or created. Aiming to bridge the 'theory-practice' divide, the module examines how these thinkers grappled with power, class, race, gender, and culture, and in doing so contested the orthodoxies of politics and political theory, and have provided inspiration and critical tools for political action moving forward.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour seminar (x 10 weeks), 2 consultation hours with Coordinator (x 12 weeks).

Scheduled learning hours

26

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

274

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate understanding of the main arguments and approaches of key 20th century political thinkers
  • Link the approaches of these thinkers to the contestation of dominant assumptions about politics and social life
  • Demonstrate understanding of the historical context in which the ideas of these thinkers emerged, and be able to identify their relevance for contemporary politics
  • Articulate reasoned and factually supported arguments both orally and in writing