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Module Catalogue

PH382-15 Democracy and Authority

Department
Philosophy
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Sameer Bajaj
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

PH382-15 Democracy and Authority

Module aims

The aim of this module is to introduce students to fundamental questions and theories concerning the general nature of political authority and the authority of democratic institutions in particular.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

  1. The Nature of Political Authority
    -Legitimacy v. Justification v. Authority
    -Leading Views of the Nature of Political Authority
  2. The Authority of Democracy: Advocates and Critics
    -Intrinsic Theories
    -Instrumentalist Theories
  3. The Obligations of Democratic Citizenship
    -Voting and Participation
    -Disobedience and Protest
    -Toleration and Compromise

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • (i) demonstrate understanding of the central questions and theories concerning the nature of political authority
  • (ii) demonstrate understanding of the central theories defending and opposing the authority of democratic institutions
  • (iii) demonstrate the ability to relate key questions and concepts in the philosophy of political authority to broader philosophical questions and concepts concerning morality, epistemology, and metaphysics.

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Subject specific skills

-By the end of the module students should have an understanding of the central questions, concepts, and debates concerning the general nature of political authority, the authority of democratic institutions, and the obligations of democratic citizenship.

Transferable skills

-By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the main literature in these debates.
-By the end of the module students should be able to critically analyse the arguments for and against the key positions defended in the literature.
-By the end of the module students should be able to demonstrate their understanding of the central questions, concepts, and debates discussed in the module in speech and writing.
-By the end of the module students should be able to draw connections between the key ideas and arguments discussed in the module to other problems and debates in philosophy.

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 18 sessions of 1 hour (12%)
Seminars 8 sessions of 1 hour (5%)
Private study 124 hours (83%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

No private study requirements defined for this module.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Students can register for this module without taking any assessment.

Assessment group A1
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Assessment component
1,000 word essay 20% Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Assessment component
2,500 word essay 80% Yes (extension)
Reassessment component is the same
Feedback on assessment

Essays will be returned with written feedback, in line with the Philosophy department’s policies and guidance on giving feedback to students.

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • UPHA-V700 Undergraduate Philosophy
    • Year 2 of V700 Philosophy
    • Year 3 of V700 Philosophy
  • Year 4 of UPHA-V701 Undergraduate Philosophy (wiith Intercalated year)
  • Year 4 of UPHA-V702 Undergraduate Philosophy (with Work Placement)
  • Year 2 of UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics

This module is Core option list A for:

  • Year 3 of UMAA-GV17 Undergraduate Mathematics and Philosophy
  • Year 3 of UMAA-GV19 Undergraduate Mathematics and Philosophy with Specialism in Logic and Foundations

This module is Core option list B for:

  • Year 2 of UMAA-GV17 Undergraduate Mathematics and Philosophy
  • Year 2 of UMAA-GV19 Undergraduate Mathematics and Philosophy with Specialism in Logic and Foundations

This module is Core option list C for:

  • Year 4 of UMAA-GV19 Undergraduate Mathematics and Philosophy with Specialism in Logic and Foundations

This module is Option list A for:

  • UPHA-VL78 BA in Philosophy with Psychology
    • Year 2 of VL78 Philosophy with Psychology
    • Year 3 of VL78 Philosophy with Psychology
  • Year 4 of UPHA-VL79 BA in Philosophy with Psychology (with Intercalated year)

This module is Option list B for:

  • Year 2 of UHIA-V1V5 Undergraduate History and Philosophy
  • UPHA-VQ72 Undergraduate Philosophy and Literature
    • Year 2 of VQ72 Philosophy and Literature
    • Year 3 of VQ72 Philosophy and Literature
  • Year 4 of UPHA-VQ73 Undergraduate Philosophy and Literature with Intercalated Year

This module is Option list C for:

  • Year 3 of UHIA-V1V5 Undergraduate History and Philosophy
  • Year 4 of UHIA-V1V6 Undergraduate History and Philosophy (with Year Abroad)

This module is Option list E for:

  • Year 2 of UPHA-V7MW Undergraduate Politics, Philosophy and Law