Knowledge & Democracy - POL00054H
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Spring Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
Plato?s early critique of democracy turned on claims about the ignorance of the people and the knowledge held by an elite. Versions of this critique have bedevilled democratic theory and practice up to the present day. In this course we will explore claims about the relationship between knowledge and the right to rule, ideas of what such knowledge consists in and how it is distributed, and how institutions can be designed to promote such knowledge. We will assess ideas of epistemic elitism as they appear in canonical thinkers ranging from Plato to John Stuart Mill; we will explore the problem of political ignorance as it has developed in political science in the twentieth century; we will look at the role and limits of meritocratic institutions in democratic systems; and we will discuss the recent ?epistemic? turn in democratic theory and explore ideas of popular wisdom, collective intelligence, and ?democratic reason?.
Module learning outcomes
By completing this module, students will:
- Describe and interpret a range of concepts within modern theories of democracy;
- Analyse and differentiate the democratic principles at work in a range of political institutions and practices;
- Appraise and justify particular uses of democratic concepts.
This module will also equip students with a range of key transferable skills:
- Verbal and written argumentation;
- Interpretation of texts;
- Critical appraisal of concepts.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 100 |
Module feedback
Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor?s feedback and guidance hours.
Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than 20 working days after submission; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor?s regular feedback and guidance hours.
Indicative reading
Dahl, R. A. (1989). Democracy and Its Critics. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Mill, J. S. Considerations on Representative Government.