Philosophy

Society, State and Humanity

Module code: V7064E
Level 4
15 credits in spring semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay

On this module, you'll:

  • focus on the relationships between people, society and the state
  • explore what makes a ‘good’ society rather than a ‘bad’ one
  • explore social theory and criticism to understand the problems within society.

Famous figures you'll look at include:

  • Aristotle
  • Hobbes
  • Rousseau
  • Hegel
  • Marx
  • Durkheim
  • Freud
  • Marcuse
  • Adorno.

You'll also develop your ability to engage with and evaluate the work of important social and political philosophers, and critically evaluate their ideas.

 

Module learning outcomes

  • Show a basic understanding of the range of ways in which society has been conceptualised in Western thought, and the associated conceptions of the state and of humanity.
  • Think more clearly about the taken-for-granted ways in which they themselves conceptualise society, the state and humanity.
  • Discern underlying conceptions of society, the state and humanity in historical and contemporary texts.
  • Demonstrate skills in conceptual analysis, reasoning and argument.