Module POLI3171: BRITISH POLITICAL THOUGHT SINCE 1850

Department: GOVERNMENT AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (POLITICS)

POLI3171: BRITISH POLITICAL THOUGHT SINCE 1850

Prerequisites

• A Level 2 module in Political Thought.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• This module examines the work of leading British political thinkers between 1850 and 1950 in their effort to understand the changes associated with modernity in their country.

Content

• This module focuses on the historical forces which shaped their ideas ranging from growth of democracy and the decline of religious belief to mass immigration and multiculturalism more recently.
• Topics will include: J.S.
• Mill on Liberty and Individuality in modern society.
• Contemporary Responses to Mill: J.F.
• Stephen.
• Herbert Spencer and the Nightwatchman State.
• Idealism and the Politics of the 'common good'.
• Fabian Socialism.
• English Political Pluralism.
• Englishness and Political Thought in the interwar period.
• Race and nation in postwar Conservative Thought.
• Anthony Crosland and Socialist Revisionism.
• Michael Oakeshott and 'civil association'.
• The modernisation of British National Identity.

Learning Outcomes

• Through the module students should acquire knowledge and understanding of:
• some of the significant developments in British political thought since 1850 and the critical reactions they engendered.
• continuity and change between the various doctrines considered, and their historical legacy.
• the course of British historical development through studying some significant attempts on the part of key political thinkers to understand and shape the direction of change.

• Through the course students should enhance their ability to:
• analyse the meaning of primary texts in the context in which they were written.
• identify the distinctiveness of different political ideas and assess their cogency.
• link the material of the module to aspects of other modules, for example, in British and European politics, international relations, and political theory.

• The teaching and assessment methods of the module are designed to develop the following skills:
• independent research through creative use of library resources
• writing scholarly essays and concise examination answers under time pressure.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The introduction of a summative essay will strengthen the assessment of essays written to a high standard based on primary sources and an understanding of competing conceptualisations and explanations of the material.
• it will also enhance skills of work management in planning and completing a number of tasks to deadline.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

1 essay.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University