Course Details in 2024/25 Session

Module Title	LI Political Ethics
School	Government
Department	Political Sci & Intern'tl Stud
Module Code	08 40168
Module Lead	Richard North
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 2
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-20 hours Seminar-10 hours Guided independent study-170 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module explores the role of morality in politics and the extent to which political actors are permitted, or even required, to ignore moral norms. The module surveys classical and contemporary accounts of the relationship between morality and politics and uses these to analyse cases that raise questions about political actions and policies that appear to be politically necessary but morally wrong. Samples cases include: the use violence or torture to prevent greater harms; lying & deceiving to protect national security; political leadership & hypocrisy; partisanship & the ethics of voting; and resistance & civil disobedience.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Explain and evaluate competing accounts of the relationship between politics and morality Demonstrate the ability to apply theoretical knowledge about political morality to contemporary policy issues Provide arguments for or against the permissibility of 'immoral' actions in politics and public policy
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: 2000-word essay (50%) 90 minute exam (50%) Reassessment: Repeat of failed component
Other
Reading List