Department of European Studies & Modern Languages, Unit Catalogue 2009/10 |
EU20385: European political thought |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Intermediate |
| Period: | Semester 1 |
| Assessment:
| EX 100% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| |
| Description: | Aims: The unit aims: * to provide an introduction to major political thinkers of the European tradition; * to raise the students' awareness of the extent to which contemporary politics in European countries is based on philosophical and moral traditions that reach back for at least two centuries; * to enable students to contextualise and evaluate contemporary political debates in the light of ongoing debates in political thought and theory. Learning Outcomes: Students who have successfully completed this unit should: * have achieved a solid overview of major traditions in European political thought; * have acquired the ability to see contemporary politics and political debates in the context of European political thinking; * be able to understand and discuss political issues making use of the conceptual tools provided by political thought and theory. Skills: Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are taught and assessed in this unit. Skills in effective learning are developed in this unit. Content: The course provides a survey of the major European political thinkers from Niccolo Machiavelli to Antonio Gramsci. |