Course Catalogue

Contemporary Challenges in Politics POLITIC4183

  • Academic Session: 2026-27
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No
  • Curriculum For Life: No

Short Description

This course engages with key contemporary issues and debates in politics through the thought of political theorists writing from different traditions and perspectives. It will examine fundamental and perennial political questions as well as issues new to our time. Topics may include freedom and autonomy, epistemic crisis and democracy, intergenerational justice, animal rights, the impact of AI etc. It offers the opportunity for students to examine more contemporary theorists, debates and literature in dialogue with each other.

Timetable

1 x 2hour weekly seminars

Requirements of Entry

Standard entry requirements to Honours Politics or International Relations.

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

1x 1500-word blog - 40%

1x 2500-word essay - 60%

Course Aims

The aim of the module is to introduce students to a variety of competing theoretical perspectives, requiring critical consideration of the insights and problems each perspective offers. It will provoke students to engage with, evaluate and critically reflect upon the different ways to think about and conceptualize key issues and debates in political theory.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ critically assess different theoretical positions and frameworks in political theory

■ demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of a number of key issues and challenges in political theory; 

■ critically engage, analyse and evaluate various issues in contemporary politics through a number of theoretical perspectives and frameworks; 

■ discern the links between theoretical analyses of issues and their practical implications for citizens and policy-makers.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

No exceptions