PO1IPI: Introduction to Political Ideas

Module code: PO1IPI

Module provider: Politics; School of Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Credits: 20

Level: Level 1 (Certificate)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Rob Jubb, email: r.s.d.jubb@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2024/5

Available to visiting students: Yes

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 23 May 2024

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module offers an introduction to political theory and the tools it offers to analyse, understand and judge political decisions, events and arrangements, both nationally and internationally. The module covers central topics and concepts in politics, including the value of democracy, how to define freedom and whether war can be fought justly. These topics and concepts have their significance illustrated by linking them to concrete contemporary political and policy issues like, for example, protests by environmental activists. Students on the module will learn to think more critically about the political institutions and actors that shape their lives, and their claims to be entitled to govern them. This introduction to political theory also serves as a foundation for more advanced study in later Parts.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

1. explain, analyse and use fundamental political concepts like democracy and freedom 
2. explain and assess the use of these concepts in political theories 
3. understand and critically evaluate some central arguments in political theory 
4. apply this theoretical knowledge to contemporary political issues 

In addition, students will develop group work and presentation skills through non-assessed work in seminars; written skills through their assessments; and IT and communication skills through engagement with the online learning environment. 

Module content

The module is organised around six topics – authority, democracy, freedom, justice, the environment and just war. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module is taught primarily through 11 paired lectures and seminars, with an additional mid-semester workshop on assessment preparation and critical skills. Each topic will be covered either by one or two pairs of lectures and seminars. Lectures will introduce students to the topic and serve as the basis for the small group exercises and class discussion around which the seminars will be arranged. There will be some preparatory reading for each seminar. The convener will use Blackboard to interact with students and provide resources through the term. 

Study hours

At least 22 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

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

Assessments with numerical marks

• 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 three working days;
• the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three working days of the deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension of the deadline): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/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.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Students will receive formative feedback on their ideas in seminars and during the assignment workshop. 

Reassessment

Additional costs