UNIVERSITY OF KENT
MODULE SPECIFICATION TEMPLATE
SECTION 1: MODULE SPECIFICATIONS
1. Title of the module
Resistance, Suffering and Leadership: The Political Lives of Gandhi, Mandela and Wojtyla
2. School which will be responsible for management of the module
School of Politics and International Relations
3. Start date of the module
Spring term 2013
4. The cohort of students (onwards) to which the module will be applicable
2010/11
5. The number of students expected to take the module
40
6. Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
None
7. Level of the module
H (FHEQ Level 6)
8. The number of credits which the module represents
15
9. Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Spring term
10. Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
None
11. The programme(s) of study to which the module contributes
This module will be an optional module that is open to all students taking degrees within the School of Politics and International Relations (including joint honours degrees). The module may also be taken as a ‘wild unit’ by students from other schools in the University.
12. The intended subject specific learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship to programme learning outcomes
The new module will look at the political lives of three of the icons of 20 th century world politics with a view to examining how Gandhi, Mandela and Wojtyla came to adopt the roles that they played and what principles of action and leadership styles they followed as they engaged with political reality.
Upon successful completion of the module, students will
12.1 be familiar with the political biographies of Gandhi, Mandela and
Wojtyla
New module specification approved by Faculty 09/02/12

UNIVERSITY OF KENT
12.2
12.3
12.4
12.5
12.6 be able to explain, with reference to concrete examples, how particular styles of leadership emerged from 20 th Century historical contexts involving resistance and suffering, and how in turn such leadership was able to impact on 20 th Century world history have a good understanding of ‘political biography’ as a method in political science and be able to critically evaluate the limits and potential insights of this method be familiar with theories and concepts describing the complex interaction between ‘agency’ and ‘structure’ in politics, and to be able to evaluate such theories and concepts in relation to concrete examples be familiar with theories and concepts describing the complex link between ‘ideas’ and political outcomes, and to be able to evaluate such theories and concepts in relation to concrete examples be familiar with theories and principles of leadership and their application in the world of politics, and be able to evaluate leadership styles in terms of their effectiveness in a variety of circumstances
These specific learning outcomes contribute to achieving the learning outcomes of the BA in Politics and International Relations by demonstrating knowledge of the following:
A1 key concepts, theories and methods used in the study of politics and international relations and their application to the analysis of political ideas, institutions, practices and issues in the global arena (12.3-12.6)
A3 institutions the social, economic, historical and cultural contexts of political and behaviour (12.1-12.2)
A4 the political dynamics of interaction between people, events, ideas and institutions (12.1-12.6)
A5 factors accounting for political change (12.4-12.5)
A6 the contestable nature of many concepts and different approaches to the study of Politics and International Relations (12.3-12.6)
A7 the normative and positive foundations of political ideas (12.1, 12.5)
Moreover, the specific learning outcomes contribute to acquiring the following subject specific skills, which are also learning outcomes of the BA in Politics and
International Relations:
C1 the ability to understand the nature and significance of politics as a human and global activity (12.1-12.6) of
C2 the ability to apply concepts, theories and methods used in the study politics and international relations to the analysis of political ideas, arena (12.3-12.6) institutions, practices and issues in the global and
C3 the ability to evaluate different interpretations of world political events issues (12.1-12.2)
C4 the ability to describe, evaluate and apply different approaches to collecting, analysing and presenting political information (12.3)
13. The intended generic learning outcomes and, as appropriate, their relationship to programme learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this module
New module specification approved by Faculty 09/02/12

UNIVERSITY OF KENT
13.1
13.2
13.3
13.4
13.5 will be able to independently undertake analysis of complex areas of knowledge and make carefully constructed arguments will be reflective and self-critical in their work communicate ideas effectively and fluently in writing will be able to use the internet, bibliographic search engines, online resources, and effectively conduct research, drawing on both primary
(in translation) and secondary sources will be able to engage in academic and professional communication
13.6 with others will have reflected on principles of action and leadership and will be able to refer to such principles also as they engage with political reality as professionals and citizens.
By helping students to progress towards these generic learning outcomes, the module contributes to achieving the learning outcomes of the BA in Politics and
International Relations by enabling students to demonstrate the ability to
B1 gather, organize and deploy evidence, data and information from a variety of secondary and some primary sources (13.1,13.4)
B2 identify, investigate, analyse, formulate and advocate solutions to problems (13.6)
B3 develop reasoned arguments, synthesise relevant information and exercise critical judgement (13.1,13.6)
B4 reflect on, and manage, their own learning and seek to make use of constructive feedback from peers and staff to enhance their performance and personal skills (13.2-13.3,13.5)
B5 manage their own learning self-critically (13.2,13.5-13.6)
D1 communicate effectively and fluently in speech and writing (13.3, 13.5)
D2 use communication and information technology for the retrieval and presentation of information, including, where appropriate, statistical or numerical information (13.4)
D3 work independently, demonstrating initiative, self-organization and time- management (13.1-13.2)
14. A synopsis of the curriculum
The module will begin with an introduction to biographical narrative as a method in political science. Following this introduction, the module will present the three ‘icons’ of 20 th century world politics in three blocks of three weeks each, leaving one week for a concluding and comparative discussion (and one reading week). Throughout the module, the three themes of the title – resistance, suffering (sacrifice) and leadership
– will be highlighted and will serve as a focus as the module considers the lives of Gandhi, Mandela and Wojtyla and their impact on world politics. The complex links between agency and structure as well as between ideas and practice will be highlighted throughout the presentation. Each block will first discuss the political life of the leader in question, after which one week will be devoted to key primary writings by the leader, leaving one week to consider how the triangle of the key themes of resistance, suffering and leadership unfolded and operated for the leader in question.
15. Indicative Reading List
MK Gandhi, An Autobiography or the Story of My Experiments with Truth
(Penguin, 1982)
New module specification approved by Faculty 09/02/12

UNIVERSITY OF KENT
M Gandhi, Selected Political Writings (Hackett, 1996)
N Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom (Little, Brown, 1994)
N Mandela, Selected Speeches and Writings , (Black and Red, 2010)
G Weigel, Witness to Hope: The Biography of John Paul II (HarperCollins, 2005)
Pope John Paul II, Memory and Identity (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2005)
16. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of the intended learning outcomes
Learning and Teaching
Lectures
There will be 11 lectures including an introduction to biographical narratives, three lectures on each of the three leaders included in the module (altogether 9 lectures), and one concluding lecture/discussion
Seminars
The lectures are followed by seminars in which students can discuss the material presented in the lectures. The primary aim of the seminars is to connect the empirical cases with the theoretical reflection and thus to analyse the three lives in relations to the three key themes of the module: resistance, suffering, leadership.
Independent study
During this period students are expected to work independently, to prepare and review seminars, to read required and suggested readings, to work on their assignments.
Learning
Outcomes
12.1-12.6
12.3-12.6, 13.3-
13.5
12.1-12.6, 13.1-
13.6
Contact hours
11 contact hours
11 contact hours
128 study and research hours
17. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended learning outcomes
Type of
Assessment
Task
Essay outline Students have to prepare a 1000word outline of their essay. A
‘template’ (with required subheadings) will be provided in order to assist students in planning their essays. Detailed written and oral feedback will be given in order to help improve skills and understanding. The outline is a key assignment that will allow the module convenor to give
Learning
Outcomes assessed
12.1-12.2
13.1-13.3
Contribution to final mark
20%
New module specification approved by Faculty 09/02/12

UNIVERSITY OF KENT feedback on the students’ essay plans.
Essay Students have to submit a 4000-word essay in which they have to compare the political biographies of the three leaders with a view to identifying
‘patterns’ or ‘configurations’ of events and themes that may help theorise notions of resistance and leadership at a more abstract level. In particular, students will have to analyse how the themes of resistance, suffering
(sacrifice) and leadership are reflected in the lives of Gandhi,
Mandela and Wojtyla. The key issue here will not just be to identify these
12.1-12.6
13.1-13.6
80% themes, but also to explore how they relate to each other and how they informed each other in the biographical narratives of the leaders in question. The essay will also require students to critically evaluate the leadership styles encountered in this module.
18. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
Within existing resources.
19. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality legislation, and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in its teaching. Within this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be made on an individual basis, in consultation with the
University’s disability/dyslexia support service, and specialist support will be provided where needed.
20. Campus where module will be delivered
Canterbury
SECTION 2: MODULE IS PART OF A PROGRAMME OF STUDY IN A
UNIVERSITY SCHOOL
Statement by the School Director of Learning and Teaching/School Director of
Graduate Studies (as appropriate): "I confirm I have been consulted on the above module proposal and have given advice on the correct procedures and required content of module proposals"
New module specification approved by Faculty 09/02/12

UNIVERSITY OF KENT
................................................................
Director of Learning and Teaching/Director of
Graduate Studies (delete as applicable)
…………………………………………………
Print Name
..............................................
Date
Statement by the Head of School: "I confirm that the School has approved the introduction of the module and, where the module is proposed by School staff, will be responsible for its resourcing"
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Date Head of School
…………………………………………………….
Print Name
New module specification approved by Faculty 09/02/12