POWER AND IDEAS: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES - 2022/3
Module code: POL2035
In light of the Covid-19 pandemic the University has revised its courses to incorporate the ‘Hybrid Learning Experience’ in a departure from previous academic years and previously published information. The University has changed the delivery (and in some cases the content) of its programmes. Further information on the general principles of hybrid learning can be found at: Hybrid learning experience | University of Surrey.
We have updated key module information regarding the pattern of assessment and overall student workload to inform student module choices. We are currently working on bringing remaining published information up to date to reflect current practice in time for the start of the academic year 2021/22.
This means that some information within the programme and module catalogue will be subject to change. Current students are invited to contact their Programme Leader or Academic Hive with any questions relating to the information available.
Module Overview
In this module students will develop their knowledge and understanding of Political Ideologies. The course starts with a brief definition of an inclusive model of ideology, which is the one most commonly adopted in political science. Subsequent lectures deal with a range of major ideological traditions, covering the political spectrum from extreme right to extreme left and taking account of recent developments which overflow traditional left/right borderlines. Specific emphasis is placed on the historical and geographical context of the development of ideologies.
Module provider
Politics
Module Leader
LEVERINGHAUS Alex (Politics)
Number of Credits: 15
ECTS Credits: 7.5
Framework: FHEQ Level 5
JACs code: L210
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 106
Seminar Hours: 22
Guided Learning: 11
Captured Content: 11
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
none
Module content
Topics discussed are likely to include but not be limited to the following:
- Introduction to the concept of ideology
- Fascism, racism, anti-Semitism
- Neo-fascism, national populism
- Conservatism, neo-conservatism
- Classical liberalism, modern liberalism, social democracy
- Socialism, communism, neo-Marxism
- Anarchism, antiglobalism, ecologism, fundamentalism
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | COURSEWORK 1 | 50 |
| Coursework | COURSEWORK 2 | 50 |
Alternative Assessment
N/A
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
- Critical engagement with the relevant literature, e.g. to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of political ideologies
- Demonstrate understanding and capacity to apply theoretical arguments to the analysis of current political debates
- Capacity to deliver critical analysis of a problem related to the current state of political ideologies in a written essay
- Capacity to provide critical analysis of political ideologies and their relationship among each other and relevance to contemporary politics in an examination
Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:
- Essay
- Examination
- (All details above)
Assessment deadlines advised prior to the beginning of each semester.
Formative assessment and feedback
Students will receive verbal feedback on their performance during lectures/seminars and in one to one meetings. Additionally, summative work will be annotated with in situ comments and feedback summarised in a cover sheet. Feedback is module-specific but is also designed to be used for feedforward to other aspects of the degree programme as well.
Module aims
- To introduce students to competing theoretical models of ideology and political mythology.
- To familiarise students with major currents of ideological thought.
- To show the structure of each ideology, including its core values, beliefs and goals.
- To define the features which distinguish different ideological currents from each other, and to consider the areas in which they overlap.
- To train students in the understanding, description, comparison and analysis of sets of linked political concepts.
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | ||
|---|---|---|
| 001 | Critically reflect on the concept of ideology and its historical and contemporary relevance | KCPT |
| 002 | Question established narratives and discourses of left vs right framing of ideologies | KCT |
| 003 | Gain a deeper understanding of key ideologies shaping the contemporary world and everyday life and communicate this to a lay audience | KCPT |
| 004 | Demonstrate the ability to analyse a case study, applying theoretical frameworks to empirical evidence | KCPT |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:
The teaching strategy follows a specifically developed model of engagement with students. This includes a discursive teaching style in which borders between lectures and seminars are fluid. The lectures/seminars will consciously not use any electronic support systems such Microsoft PowerPoint etc and instead focus on engaging students and on their active participation. Hence students will be expected to actively follow and also contribute to discussions during classes based on the reading material and their anticipated knowledge of current affairs. For post-class preparation brief lecture summaries are made available via the virtual learning environment. Students are constantly encouraged to formulate their own lines of enquiry, thus developing and testing their skills in respect of making appropriate critical judgments in respect of both theory and empirics.
The learning and teaching methods include: lectures/seminars, independent study, enquiry-based learning and prescribed reading. Classes are run in 2 hour sessions over an 11 week period.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: POL2035
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Affairs MPA | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Business Economics BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Economics and Finance BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Economics BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Politics and Sociology BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| International Relations BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Politics BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Politics and Economics BSc (Hons) | 2 | Optional | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2022/3 academic year.