Political Philosophy

This unit is expiring
The expiry date of this unit is 31/07/2024.

Overview

Framework:
Access to HE
Level:
Level 3
Unit No:
QU006927
Credits:
6
Guided learning hours:
Not available

Qualification Grading Type

Graded

Grade Descriptors

  • GD1-Understanding the subject
  • GD2-Application of knowledge
  • GD5-Communication and presentation
  • GD7-Quality

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Understand Niccolo Machiavelli's postition on virtue, cruelty and human nature.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1
    Analyse the moral and political implications of Machiavelli's position in "The Prince".
  • 1.2
    Evaluate contemporary political issues for evidence of "dirty hands" reasoning.
2

Understand John Locke's social contract theory.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1
    Evaluate the plausibility of social contract theory.
  • 2.2
    Evaluate arguments about consent.
  • 2.3
    Evaluate arguments for the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
3

Understand Karl Marx's materialist account of historical change, alienation and ideology.

Assessment Criteria

  • 3.1
    Evaluate the plausibility of communist theory.
  • 3.2
    Assess Marxist arguments against the liberal state.
4

Understand John Stuart Mill's Harm Principle and its application to expressive freedom.

Assessment Criteria

  • 4.1
    Apply the harm principle to a moral or political scenario and draw conclusions.
  • 4.2
    Analyse paternalist and liberal arguments for individual freedoms.
5

Understand that there are a range of intepretations of key thinkers in political philosophy.

Assessment Criteria

  • 5.1
    Analyse the plausibility of the various interpretations of some key thinkers.