PPR220: Modern Political Thought

Tutors: TBC (Michaelmas) and Patrick Bishop (Lent)
Terms: Michaelmas and Lent

Course Description

This course explores a range of ideas which are central to any understanding of politics focusing on four related themes: Liberty, the Individual, Equality, and Community. It proceeds by reading and discussing some of the core-texts of modern political thinkers. The course is divided into two sections over two terms. In the first term we will read, examine and discuss thinkers who make a contribution to our understanding of the notions of liberty and the individual (Hobbes, Locke, J S Mill, and Hayek). In the second term we will explore the thought of thinkers who are associated with the ideas of equality and community (Rousseau, Marx, the Fabians, and Rawls).

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Have an understanding of the key ideas of the thinkers under review.
• Be able to assess the contribution that these thinkers have made to our wider understanding of politics.
• Be able to recognise the relevance of these thinkers to our current political debates, and to be able to employ their ideas within those debates.
• Evaluate the key features of an argument, be confident to express their own views, and evaluate the responses of others.

Assessment

40% coursework and 60% exam.
Coursework: 2 essays of 2500 words each. Exam: 3 hours.

Teaching Method

Lecture (1.5 hours) and seminar (1 hour) weekly.

Introductory Reading

Boucher D & Kelly P Political Thinkers: From Socrates to the Present

Hampsher-Monk I A History of Modern Political Thought: Major Political Thinkers from Hobbes to Marx

McClelland J S A History of Western Political Thought

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