This module introduces you to a pragmatic political thinker named Machiavelli. You will learn about politics, violence and religion according to Machiavelli. The republicanism of Machiavelli and his critical assessment will be addressed.

In this module, you will learn about the political thinker named Thomas Hobbes. You will study his biography and significant works, along with the socio-political and intellectual context in which he achieved them. You will address concepts such as the Leviathan or sovereign, the state of nature, absoluteness and the indivisibility of the power of the sovereign. The critics of his political thought will also be covered.

This assessment enables you to review your learning so you can determine your knowledge and understanding from Module 1 and 2 of the following course.

This module covers the biography of Locke and his political thoughts. You will discuss the state of nature and the unalienable rights. The origin of the government will be presented, along with its limitations. The rights to dissent, which is consecutive to the government’s betrayal, will be addressed. You will also cover the critical assessment of Locke’s thought.

This module introduces you to Rousseau, allowing you to learn about his biography and political ideas exposed in the “Social Contract”. You will be taught about one of the most fundamental concepts of Rousseau, “general will”. You will learn about the formation of the body politics, which is inherent to the general will, along with authors who criticised him.

This assessment enables you to review your learning so you can determine your knowledge and understanding from Module 3 and 4 of the following course.