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PH338-15 Principles of Political Economy: Philosophy & Politics

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

Introductory description

Philosophy deals with what’s possible; politics with what’s practical. However, can we really get a handle on either of these areas without thinking about the other? Addressing many of the contemporary problems we face requires both a detailed understanding of political realities, on the one hand, and ethical analysis and philosophical reasoning, on the other hand.

Module aims

This module focuses on gives students a familiarity with central debates and theories in international, intergenerational and environmental justice.

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.

Topics addressed include global poverty and egalitarianism; theories of intergenerational justice; science, ethics and impacts of climate change; the Kyoto Protocol; and overpopulation. Module outline: Global Justice; Global Justice and International Legitimacy; International legitimacy; Population; Justice Between Generations; The Non-identity Problem; Climate Change: Science, Impacts, and Ethics; Climate Change: Politics and Policy; Discussion and Conclusions.

Learning outcomes

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

  • Comprehend and critically analyse complex arguments from the literature of contemporary political theory, international ethics and environmental policy;
  • Provide an account of your considered judgements about the issues discussed, taking account of a variety opposing arguments and perspectives;
  • Think rigorously and independently about the relevant issues;
  • Construct your own sustained argument about the issues covered, and defend it against sceptics, using arguments from other disciplines where appropriate;
  • Apply themes from the course to topical social and political issues to aid your general understanding.

Indicative reading list

Refer to online reading list.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

Co-taught by Philosophy and Politics for PPE students only. Designed as part of our bridge model, providing real life context so that students can integrate their studies in the their disciplines and focus on important topics at the intersection of philosophy and politics.

Subject specific skills

A solid knowledge and understanding of: (i) Political information: knowledge and understanding of current policy and political theory in the specified topics. (ii) Philosophy: knowledge and understanding of ethical and philosophical debates. (iii) Research issues: Familiarity with contemporary debates and latest research in some specialised areas of PPE. Evaluate how to approach a problem from the perspective of a contemporary researcher with a PPE background

Transferable skills

An established capacity of: (i) Analytical thinking, reasoning and application. (ii) Critical, creative and strategic thinking. (iii) Abstraction and Problem solving. (iv) Policy evaluation and the analysis of institutions.

Teaching split

Provider Weighting
Philosophy 50%
Politics & International Studies 50%

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 9 sessions of 2 hours (12%)
Seminars 8 sessions of 1 hour (5%)
Private study 124 hours (83%)
Total 150 hours

Private study description

Private study time will allow students time to prepare for their seminars and develop their skills to become independent learners. Through independent reading and discussion with others, students will be exposed to a variety of viewpoints, learn to choose among them, and will be better prepared to develop their own distinctive ideas.

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 A4
Weighting Study time Eligible for self-certification
Written Assignment 1 (1500 words) 15% Yes (extension)
Written Asssignment 2 (2500 words) 85% Yes (extension)
Feedback on assessment

Courses

This module is Core optional for:

  • UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MH Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Economics/Philosophy Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MI Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Philosophy/Economics Bipartite (Philosophy Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MJ Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Philosophy/Politics Bipartite (with Intercalated year)

This module is Optional for:

  • UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
    • Year 4 of V7MH Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Economics/Philosophy Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MF Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Economics/Politics Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MI Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Philosophy/Economics Bipartite (Philosophy Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MJ Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Philosophy/Politics Bipartite (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MG Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Politics/Economics Bipartite (Politics Major) (with Intercalated year)

This module is Core option list A for:

  • UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
    • Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
    • Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
    • Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
  • UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
    • Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MF Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Economics/Politics Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MG Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Politics/Economics Bipartite (Politics Major) (with Intercalated year)