PO3RIS-Risk

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Alice Baderin
Email: a.baderin@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Advanced course in political theory, focusing on questions about the ethics and politics of risk. The course brings together ethical theory with the study of applied cases.

Aims:

Many of the decisions we make are reached under conditions of uncertainty and we continually expose other people to risk through our everyday actions. We also face pressing questions about how to respond to large scale risks arising from climate change and the development of new technologies. How should societies manage and regulate these diverse risks? This module addresses a range of problems in the ethics and politics of risk. For example, when is it acceptable to impose risks on other people? Do we have rights against being exposed to risk? How should a democratic society make decisions about the regulation of risk? Should the general public have a say, or should these complex decisions be left to technical or scientific experts?

The module introduces students to recent work on risk within legal, moral and political theory. Students will relate this theoretical material to contemporary debates about how societies should manage different forms of risk. Examples will include geoengineering, self-driving cars and lockdown measures in response to COVID-19.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of this module, a student should be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of what ‘risk’ is, and explain the key issues around the conceptualization of risk


2. describe the challenges that the phenomenon of risk poses to standard ethical frameworks, including consequentialism and rights-based theories


3. critically assess recent work in legal, moral and political theory that seeks to address these challenges


4. apply their theoretical knowledge to real world cases, including climate change and the development of risky technologies

Additional outcomes:

The module will develop students’ broader understanding of key ethical concepts and approaches, for example rights and contractualism, by exploring these ideas through the lens of risk.

Students will also advance their skills of critical analysis and their ability to articulate their ideas verbally and in writing.

Outline content:

Topics to be addressed will include:

• Risk cost-benefit analysis


• Risk and rights


• Public involvement in decision-making about risk regulation


• Risk and paternalism


• The precautionary principle

Lectures and seminars will integrate the study of theoretical arguments with investigation of real-world cases.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Nine hour and a half long lectures introducing and framing a topic, plus nine hour and a half long seminars. Seminars will be structured around a combination of student presentations, group exercises and class discussion. One week will be dedicated to small group tutorials during which students will receive feedback on plans for their first assignment.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		13.5
Seminars		13.5
Tutorials		1.5
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)		20
Wider reading (directed)		66
Preparation for presentations		10
Preparation for seminars		30
Essay preparation		40
Reflection		5.5
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will write two pieces of assessed coursework each worth 50% of the overall module mark:

One case study of 2,500 words, using theoretical knowledge gained on the module to address a real-world problem about risk. Students will choose their own case study topic.

One essay of 3,500 words, focussing on a theoretical problem in the ethics or politics of risk.

Formative assessment methods:

Each student will give at least one informal seminar presentation. Students will be expected to make an active contribution to seminar exercises and discussion. Students will also give and receive feedback on plans for their first assignment during a small group tutorial.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

If a student fails to pass the year at the first attempt there is an opportunity to be re-assessed on one further occasion at the next opportunity in those modules achieving a mark of less than 40%. Students who are eligible for re-assessment have the right to re-assessment in all elements even if they have previously passed one of those elements. It is expected, however, that the majority of students would probably elect not to repeat an element in which they had already passed, in which case the confirmed marks would be carried forward. Examination: Re-examination takes place in August/September of the same year. Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted within the stipulated resubmission period, emailed directly to politics@reading.ac.uk, AND submitted on Blackboard.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 29 March 2022