Scottish Political Thought (PO0044)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : SPS-3-POSPT

The course explores continuity and innovation in Scottish political thought form the reformation up to and including the Scottish Enlightenment. Each, this theme is illustrated by concentrating upon a selection of topics, for example: Calvinist theology and politics, tyrannicide, social contract theory, the emergence of 'commercial society', 'common sense' philosophy and scepticism, the concept of a social division of labour. Theorists studied include a selection of the following: George Buchanan, James VI/I, Samuel Rutherford, Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, David Hume, Adam Smith, Adam Ferguson, John Millar and Thomas Reid.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : Visiting students must have prior study in Politics. As a general guide we usually require students to have completed three Politics courses at grade B or above. Admission to honours courses is limited and there can be strong competition for places.

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Politics, (School of Social and Political Studies, Schedule J)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 2 (Blocks 3-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 2 hour(s) per week for 10 weeks

First Class Information

Date	Start	End	Room	Area	Additional Information
11/01/2007	14:00	14:50	Room G.10, William Robertson Building	Central

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Thursday	14:00	14:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : Plus 1 hour seminar

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

The aim of the course is to orient students in a series of debates in Scottish social and political thought between 1560 (the date of the Scottish Reformation) and 1776 (the date of the publication of Adam Smith' Wealth of Nations). The course aims to explore a crucial passage in the history of social and political ideas. In doing so, it attempts to enhance students' skills in conceptual discussion and interpretation. The relative unfamiliarity of some of the texts studied is part of the course's conceptual challenge.