PO3RIS: Risk

Module code: PO3RIS

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

Credits: 20

Level: Level 3 (Honours)

When you'll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Alice Baderin, email: a.baderin@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 introduces students to a wide range of issues in the ethics and politics of risk. 

Risk is everywhere. Societies face urgent questions about how to respond to large scale threats from climate change and the development of new technologies. As individuals, we generate many risks through everyday behaviour such as driving or consumer choices; and we must make decisions about the right thing to do when we are uncertain about the outcomes of our actions. How should societies and individuals act in the face of risk? For example, when is it acceptable to impose risks on other people? Do individuals have rights against being exposed to risk? Should risk management policy be based on cost-benefit analysis? Should it be determined by experts, or should the public have a say? 

The module tackles these puzzles about risk, emphasising the links between theoretical arguments and real-world cases. Students will apply their knowledge to concrete problems, such as the regulation of geoengineering technology, self-driving cars, and pandemic policy responses. 

Module learning outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of what ‘risk’ is, and explain the key issues around the conceptualization of risk;
2. Reason critically and independently about the ethical challenges of risk management;
3. Show knowledge of recent work on risk in legal, moral and political theory;
4. Apply their theoretical knowledge to a wide range of real-world cases;

Module content

Topics will typically include: 

• Risk-cost-benefit analysis 
• Risk and rights 
• Public involvement in decision-making about risk regulation 
• Risk and paternalism 
• The precautionary principle 
• The social construction of risk 

Lectures and seminars will link these theoretical topics to real-world cases, covering issues from the regulation of novel technologies to transport and healthcare policy. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

The module will be taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will introduce students to a topic in the ethics or politics of risk. Seminars will be structured around a combination of informal student presentations, small group exercises and class discussion.Seminars will focus on the application of theoretical knowledge to real-world problems. 

There will also be a tutorial week when we will meet in small groups to discuss and develop students’ ideas for the written coursework assignment.

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 case study plans during the tutorial week. 

Reassessment

Additional costs