Module: Introduction to Political Philosophy

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Introduction to Political Philosophy
Module Code	PHE1013 (ITS: TP134)
Faculty	Theology, Philosophy & Music	School	Humanities & Social Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

This module will introduce students to important aspects of Western political philosophy, providing them with a critical understanding of the political theories underpinning the contemporary world. The topics to be studied in the module cover the major issues of political philosophy: the ‘State of Nature’; justifications of the political state; the question of who should rule; liberty, property, and distributive justice; human rights; socialism, anarchism, & feminism; the social contract; neo-liberalism; and the environment. Students will gain an understanding of the historical development of central political concepts and traditions, as well as learning about the latest ideas in contemporary political philosophy.

Learning Outcomes

1. comprehend central issues and themes in the history of political philosophy;
2. construct arguments using the conceptual tools of political philosophy and apply these arguments to contemporary issues;
3. understand the wider social, political and cultural significance of these issues and themes;
4. engage in critical analysis and interpretation of important philosophical texts;
5. distinguish the principal positions in political theory;
6. evaluate and independently assess key conceptual ideas and movements in political philosophy;
7. communicate the meaning and evolution of political concepts and present their own arguments and ideas clearly in written form;
8. synthesize a range of concepts and approaches into a unified overview of the field.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Independent Study	101	No Description
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	21411	Part of Term	Semester 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Fiachra O'Brolchain	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Essay	Assessment of specific topic	20%	n/a
Formal Examination	Assessment of module content, overall	80%	End-of-Semester

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Plato's Republic
Philosopher-Rulers

Aristotle's "Political Animals"
Virtuous Citizens

Lockean Liberalism
Property Rights and 'Freedom from Interference'

Social Contract
The Rational Agreement of Political Principles?

Marx and Marxism
The Injustice of Capitalism

Mill and the 'Harm Principle'
Can We Do What We Want?

Liberal Egalitarianism
Contracting from Behind the Veil of Ignorance

Libertarianism
Restricting Government

The Capabilities Approach
Analyzing Martha Nussbaum's Theories

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Plato: 1974, Republic, Penguin, Harmondsworth,
Aristotle: 2009, Politics, Oxford World Classics, Oxford,
John Locke: 1972, Two Treatises of Government,, Oxford World Classics, Oxford,
Jonathan Wolff: 1996, An introduction to political philosophy, Oxford University Press,
Thomas Hobbes: 1981, Leviathan, Penguin, Harmondsworth,
Martha Nussbaum: 2000, Women and Human Development: The Capabilities Approach, Cambridge University Press,
Onora O'Neill: 2000, Bounds of Justice, Cambridge University Press,
Robert Nozick: 1974, Anarchy, State, Utopia, Basic Books, New York,
John Gray: 1998, Enlightenment's Wake, Routledge, London,
K.Marx & F.Engels: 2008, The Communist Manifesto, Oxford University Press,

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None