THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

University Homepage
DRPS Homepage
DRPS Search
DRPS Contact
DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Social and Political Science : Politics

Undergraduate Course: Contemporary Issues in Political Theory (PLIT10107)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Social and Political Science CollegeCollege of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryContemporary Issues in Political Theory takes a recent topic, one emerging in the news or in the academic literature, and provides students with the tools to identify the normative issues it raises and to analyse these using rigorous methods of political theory.
Course description For 2021-22, the theme will be education and social justice. Education is one of the most significant social institutions and is central to concerns with social justice. This course will address important ethical questions regarding the appropriate relationship between education and social justice. It will be organised to address major educational institutions such as schools, universities, and the work place. We will consider questions such as: does justice demand educational equality? Who should pay for university education? Is it legitimate for parents to help their children learn if this gives some children additional educational advantages? What is the appropriate relationship between democracy and education? Is selection ever justified in schools? Is marketization of education through vouchers unjust, or are just school voucher schemes possible? What justifies selection in university admissions? Are faith schools justified? Under what circumstances should home schooling be permitted? Should children be prevented from working and compelled to attend school, or should work be a form of education?
Students will be introduced to a comprehensive range of theories and debates in moral and political philosophy that address issues of education and social justice at the domestic, international, and global level. The course will relate theoretical debates regarding education and social justice to concrete cases and policies in order to demonstrate the importance of rigorous ethical understanding in the evaluation of education policy. Concrete cases will include Charter Schools, faith schools, university fees and loans, selective schools such as grammar schools, and other relevant examples.

The course will be taught as a two-hour seminar involving a mixture of student presentations, debates, and large or small group discussion, facilitated and chaired by the convenor. Required and optional political philosophy reading is indicated for each session alongside relevant case studies.

Written feedback will be provided on assessed work, verbal feedback on presentations and debates, and commentary on discussion in class. The convenor will provide advice in class on structuring, planning, and writing a good political theory essay, and will be available during feedback and guidance hours for further discussion.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Students MUST have passed: Introduction to Politics and International Relations (PLIT08004) OR Politics in a Changing World: An Introduction for non-specialists (PLIT08012)
Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements Students who have not taken Introduction to Politics and International Relations (PLIT08004) OR Politics in a Changing World (PLIT08012), but have taken a similar course, should contact the Course Organiser to confirm if they are eligible to take this course.
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesVisiting students should have at least 4 Politics/International Relations courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses.

** as numbers are limited, visiting students should contact the Visiting Student Section for admission to this course **
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Not being delivered
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Students will be able to demonstrate empirically-informed understanding of contemporary debates on the chosen topic from a relevant range of normative perspectives
  2. Students will have specialist in-depth knowledge of specific areas and issues in relation to the chosen topic
  3. Students will be able to critically engage with key theories, concepts, and arguments in the study of the chosen normative issue.
  4. Students will acquire effective communications skills, both written and verbal, to provide clear and concise analysis of the topic and arguments at hand
  5. Students will be able to engage in critical thinking, reflection and debate for academic and non-academic consumption.
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Critical thinking and analysis
Team work
Effective written and verbal communication
Effective research and analytical skills
KeywordsNot entered
Contacts
Course organiserDr Philip Cook
Tel: (0131 6)51 1577
Email: Philip.Cook@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr John Riddell
Tel: (0131 6)50 9975
Email: John.Riddell@ed.ac.uk
Navigation
Help & Information
Home
Introduction
Glossary
Search DPTs and Courses
Regulations
Regulations
Degree Programmes
Introduction
Browse DPTs
Courses
Introduction
Humanities and Social Science
Science and Engineering
Medicine and Veterinary Medicine
Other Information
Combined Course Timetable
Prospectuses
Important Information