PO3MID-Modern Ideologies
Module Provider: Politics and Int Rel
Number of credits: 20 [10ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Autumn, Spring and Summer
Module Convenor: Dr
JP
Lester
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9
Email: j.p.lester@reading.ac.uk
Aims:
This module aims to provide students with an understanding of a wide variety of modern ideologies and the nature of their political impact. It also looks at some key aspects of the broad conceptual nature and generic role of ideology and examines the extent to which we can now be said to be living in a post-ideological world.
Assessable learning outcomes:
By the end of the module it is expected that the student will be able to:
Additional outcomes:
The module also aims to encourage the development of oral communication skills and the student's effectiveness in group situations, with some analytical procedures carried out as part of a team. Students will also develop their IT skills by use of relevant web resources and databases.
Outline content:
The content is organised around a broad conceptual study of ideology and a focus on eight key modern ideologies and the kind of political impact each one has had in the recent past (and continues to have in the present). It begins by analysing the conceptual origins of ideology, its connections with the Enlightenment, and the kind of generic roles performed by all ideologies. This is then followed by a focus on the debate about how ideologies can best be classified, with particular emphasis on the use of notions of Left and Right. The eight modern ideologies identified for a particular emphasis are: communism, fascism, liberalism, nationalism, feminism, anarchism/environmentalism and islamism. The module concludes with a critical appraisal of the argument that ideologies are now at an end in the post-communist, post-modern environment.
Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
12 two-hour seminars requiring preparatory research and reading; structured group discussion; and seminar papers presented in pairs.
Contact hours:
| Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Lectures | |||
| Tutorials/seminars | 5 | 5 | |
| Practicals | |||
| Other contact (eg study visits) | |||
| Total hours | 10 | 10 | 2 |
| Number of essays or assignments | 1 | 1 | |
| Other (eg major seminar paper) |
Assessment:
Coursework:
Students will write one essay of c3000 words each term on chosen topics to be submitted by the last day of each respective term. They will also prepare one seminar discussion paper in each term. The coursework mark will be the higher of (a) the average of the two essay marks OR (b) the mark for the second essay if it is higher than the first.
Relative percentage of coursework: 25%
Penalties for late submission: In accordance with University policy a penalty of a reduction of 10 marks to essays which are submitted up to one week after the original deadline, and a zero mark thereafter will be applied.
Examinations: One three-hour examination.
Requirements for a pass: 40% overall and a mark of not less than 35% in the examination.
Reassessment arrangements: Re-examination in August/September. Coursework will be carried forward if it bears a confirmed mark of 40% or more. Otherwise it must be resubmitted by 1 August.
Visiting Students: Visiting students taking this module who opt not to take the examination will be required to submit a total of 12,000 words written work in accordance with arrangements made by the module convenor.