GV4H4 Half Unit
Foundations of Political Theory
This information is for the 2016/17 session.
Teacher responsible
Dr Kai Spiekermann and Prof Christian List
Availability
This course is compulsory on the MSc in Political Theory. This course is not available as an outside option.
Course content
This course provides an introduction to the philosophical and methodological foundations of political theory. It aims to give participants a conceptual toolbox that can be brought to bear on many different substantive problems and research questions in political theory and neighbouring fields. The course introduces some central methodological debates in contemporary political theory, explores the links between political theory and related disciplines, and familiarises students with different approaches to political theorising.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the MT. 1 hour of lectures in the ST.
Week 6 will be a reading and feedback week.
Formative coursework
Students will be expected to produce 1 essay in the MT and 1 essay in January.
Indicative reading
David Leopold and Marc Stears (eds.) (2008) Political Theory: Methods and Approaches (Oxford: Oxford University Press); John S. Dryzek, Bonnie Honig and Anne Phillips (eds.) (2008) The Oxford Handbook of Political Theory (Oxford: Oxford University Press); Robert E. Goodin and Philip Pettit (eds.) (1993) A Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy (Oxford: Blackwell); Michael Smith (1994) The Moral Problem (Oxford: Blackwell); Keith Dowding (2015) The Philosophy and Methods of Political Science (Palgrave).
Assessment
Essay (100%, 3000 words) in the LT.
Key facts
Department: Government
Total students 2015/16: 44
Average class size 2015/16: 21
Controlled access 2015/16: Yes
Lecture capture used 2015/16: Yes (MT)
Value: Half Unit
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
