PO2THI-Political Thinking

Module Provider: School of Politics, Economics and International Relations
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

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

Type of module:

Summary module description:

Module in applied political theory. The course investigates the ethical issues that lie behind some important contemporary policy debates. 

Aims:

Public policy making inevitably involves value judgements. For example, the design of welfare and tax systems raises issues of fairness and distributive justice.  This module investigates the ethical problems that underlie some major contemporary policy debates. Each week we will focus on a concrete policy question, analysing its ethical dimensions, and critically evaluating the arguments on different sides of the debate. We will consider questions both about how political decisions are taken (for example, what role should referenda play in a democratic system?) and about the substance of those decisions (for example, should members of minority cultural or religious groups be granted exemptions from some generally applicable laws?) The emphasis of the module is on connecting established debates in normative political theory with applied political problems.

Assessable learning outcomes:

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

1. identify the ethical issues that underlie some important public policy questions;


2. link these policy problems to established debates within normative political theory;


3. critically evaluate the ethical arguments on different sides of the policy debates.

Additional outcomes:

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

Outline content:

Topics to be addressed may include:

• Universal basic income and the duty to work.


• Integration and segregation


• Inheritance tax and the value of the family.


• Referenda and democratic decision-making.


• Minority exemptions and multiculturalism.

Lectures and seminars will integrate the exploration of theoretical arguments with investigation of concrete policy issues.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Ten hour-long lectures introducing and framing a topic, plus ten hour and a half long seminars. Seminars will be structured around a combination of informal student presentations, group exercises activities and class discussion.

The module will be taught jointly by Dr Alice Baderin and Dr Maxime Lepoutre. Each topic will be led by one of the Lecturers.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Seminars		15
Guided independent study:		175
Total hours by term	0	200	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	50
Portfolio	50

Summative assessment- Examinations:
No examination.

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

This module is assessed by means of coursework only.



Students will write two assignments:

• 3500 word portfolio (50%)
  
  
  
  • Students will submit a portfolio at the end of the module. The portfolio will include short personal reflections on seminar discussions, and critical responses to selected readings.
    
     
  
  
  
  


• 2500 word policy brief (50%).

Visiting students will follow the same assessments for full credits.

Formative assessment methods:

Seminar discussion and group exercises.

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: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/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.

Coursework: Failed or missing coursework should be re-submitted on Blackboard within the specified deadline.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 19 June 2023