Aims
This course aims to:
- Provide an introduction to some of the major British political theories of the period.
- Explore the discipline of understanding these theories within their proper historical context.
- Consider the various ways in which these theories continue to inform the political debates of today.
Content
The course will cover the main British political theories, and the events with which they engaged, during the past four centuries, from the era of Hobbes and Locke and the English Civil Wars to the current state of political reflection and communication today. Theorists and themes will include David Hume, Adam Smith and the analysis of virtue and its relationship with commercial society; Edmund Burke and Thomas Paine and the debates relating to tradition and modernity in the late 18th century; John Stuart Mill, Walter Bagehot and T H Green and the idea of modern liberty, democracy and reform in 19th-century Britain; R H Tawney, Michael Oakeshott and Isaiah Berlin and the changing relationship between theory and practice in the 20th Century; and the ongoing crisis of political education and engagement in our own century.
Presentation of the course
The course will consist of a linked set of lectures in which the aim will be both to explore and explain the individual theorists and theories in their proper historical context, and also acquire an understanding and appreciation of the continuing influence and re-evaluation of these figures and ideas throughout the broader period. Each theorist will be discussed in terms of his or her influences, method, aims and impact, with reference to their key texts and arguments.
Class sessions
- A Science of politics.
- Hobbes and Locke.
- Smith and Hume.
- Paine and Burke.
- The Romantic Revision.
- Progression, Disintegration and Doubt.
- Mill.
- Bagehot.
- Green.
- Oakeshott, Berlin and the crisis of political theory.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes for this course are:
- An understanding of the key methodological issues relating to the study of the history of ideas.
- A good basic knowledge of all the individual theorists and theories covered in the course.
- A sound and constructive appreciation of the implications of each theory’s legacy, both for thought and action
Typical week: Monday to Friday
Courses run from Monday to Friday. For each week of study, you select a morning (Am) course and an afternoon (Pm) course. The maximum class size is 25 students.
Courses are complemented by a series of daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.
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c.7.30am-9.00am
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Breakfast in College (for residents)
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9.00am-10.30am
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Am Course
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11.00am-12.15pm
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Plenary Lecture
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12.15pm-1.30pm
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Lunch
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1.30pm-3.00pm
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Pm Course
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3.30pm-4.45pm
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Plenary Lecture/Free
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6.00pm/6.15pm-7.15pm
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Dinner in College (for residents)
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7.30pm onwards
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Evening talk/Event/Free
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Evaluation and Academic Credit
If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses.
Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £75 per essay.
For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.
Certificate of attendance
A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically after the programme.
