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PL30902: Contemporary critical thinkers: theory and praxes

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2019/0
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Further information on credits Credits: 6      [equivalent to 12 CATS credits]
Further information on notional study hours Notional Study Hours: 120
Further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Further information on teaching periods Period:
Semester 2
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 33%, ES 67%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 33%)
  • Essay (ES 67%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
Through key themes and thinkers, this unit will explore various trends in contemporary critical thought. The aim will be to provide students with a more sophisticated understanding of society through an in-depth study of the role of hegemony and power. While the lectures will be predominantly theoretical to provide a sound basis to build upon, students will be expected to engage with praxis through their in-class discussions and assessment. Tapping into the department's key research theme of Politics beyond the mainstream, this unit will be research-led and team-taught.

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this unit, the successful student will be able to demonstrate the following:
1. A critical understanding of key critical thinkers and themes central to contemporary debates over power and politics.
2. An understanding and appreciation of the concept of power, hegemony and discourse.
3. An appreciation of the role of critical theory in the development of political praxes.
4. The ability to synthesise in detail the impact of critical theory on the current political debate.
5. A sophisticated understanding of contemporary political theory and philosophy.

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 developed and assessed in this unit.

Content:
Across ten weeks, this unit will look at themes such as democracy, communism, violence, feminism, agonism, post-colonialism, capitalism and autonomy. This unit will focus on authors such as Slavoj Žižek, Jacques Rancière, Judith Butler, Jodi Dean, Cornelius Castoriadis and Alain Badiou
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL30902 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Economics
  • UHES-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics (Year 3)
  • UHES-AAB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHES-AKB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHES-ACB01 : BSc(Hons) Economics and Politics with Combined Placement and Study Abroad (Year 4)
Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB13 : BA(Hons) French and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB12 : BA(Hons) German and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA(Hons) Italian ab initio and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB14 : BA(Hons) Italian and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB15 : BA(Hons) Russian ab initio and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AYB17 : BA(Hons) Spanish and Politics with Year Abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AFB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations (Year 3)
  • UHPL-AAB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AKB30 : BSc(Hons) Politics and International Relations with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics (Year 3)
  • UHPL-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UHPL-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Politics with Economics with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes: