GV908-7-FY-CO:
Political Theory
PLEASE NOTE: This module is inactive. Visit the Module Directory to view modules and variants offered during the current academic year.
2023/24
Government
Colchester Campus
Full Year
Postgraduate: Level 7
Inactive
Thursday 05 October 2023
Friday 28 June 2024
30
12 May 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
GV908 Political Theory is the core module for those taking the MA in Political Theory. It is also available to other postgraduate students as an option.
GV908 will introduce MA student to some of the key topics and themes in the history of political thought and within contemporary political theory, and will embrace discussions in analytical political theory. The module aims to expose students to a variety of debates about the moral and political principles that regulate different areas of public policy. Students will be able to appraise arguments on different sides of a range of controversial political topics.
1. It introduces a range of ideas and concepts in analytical political theory.
2. It engages students in a series of close textual readings of selected essays, books and articles, with the aim of elucidating key concepts and ideas in public policy disputes.
3. It examines a number of central debates in contemporary political theory.
4. Students should be in a position to develop and execute a Masters Research Dissertation in political theory.
1. To understand the normative dimensions of key policy controversies.
2. To introduce students to the work of major contemporary political theorists, including John Rawls, Robert Nozick, and G. A. Cohen.
3. To write clear analyses of contemporary policy controversies.
No additional information available.
The teaching is structured in weekly two-hour seminars. Members of the seminar are expected to attend on a weekly basis, and be prepared to discuss the essential texts in the seminars.
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Simmons, A.J. (2002) ‘Political Obligation and Authority’, in R.L. Simon (ed.)
The Blackwell Guide to Social and Political Philosophy. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishers Ltd, pp. 17–37. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470756621.ch1.
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Rawls, J. (1999)
A theory of justice. Rev. ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Available at:
https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.2307/j.ctvkjb25m.
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Nozick, R. (no date) ‘Distributive Justice.’ Available at:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2264891.
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Cohen, G.A. (2009)
Why Not Socialism? Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Available at:
https://www-jstor-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/stable/j.ctt7sk94.
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Brighouse, H. and Swift, A. (2014)
Family Values: The Ethics of Parent-Child Relationships. Course Book. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=1689368.
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Daniels, N. (1996)
Justice and justification: reflective equilibrium in theory and practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at:
https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1017/CBO9780511624988.
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Waldron, J. (2014)
Harm in Hate Speech. Harvard University Press. Available at:
https://www-jstor-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/stable/10.2307/j.ctt2jbrjd.
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Patten, A. (2017) ‘Religious Exemptions and Fairness’, in C. Laborde and A. Bardon (eds)
Religion in Liberal Political Philosophy. Oxford University Press. Available at:
https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1093/oso/9780198794394.003.0015.
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Wellman, C.H. (2008) ‘Immigration and Freedom of Association’,
Ethics, 119(1), pp. 109–141. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1086/592311.
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Norcross, A. (no date) ‘Puppies, Pigs, and People: Eating Meat and Marginal Cases.’ Available at:
http://spot.colorado.edu/~heathwoo/readings/norcross.pdf.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
Additional coursework information
For the essays, students must choose from a list of questions which will be posted to Moodle.
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Mollie Gerver, email: m.gerver@essex.ac.uk.
Mollie Gerver
Module Supervisor: Dr Mollie Gerver(m.gerver@essex.ac.uk) or Module Administrator: Jamie Seakens (govpgquery@essex.ac.uk)
Yes
No
No
Dr Adrian Florea
University of Glasgow
Senior Lecturer in International Relations
Available via Moodle
Of 40 hours, 24 (60%) hours available to students:
16 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Government
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