title: How do I get the module instance for a class in Python?
body: <p>I am learning Python, and as always, I'm being ambitious with my starter projects.  I am working on a plugin system for a community site toolkit for App Engine.  My plugin superclass has a method called <code>install_path</code>.  I would like to obtain the <code>__path__</code> for the <code>__module__</code> for <code>self</code> (which in this case will be the subclass).  Problem is, <code>__module__</code> returns a <code>str</code> rather than the module instance itself.  <code>eval()</code> is unreliable and undesirable, so I need a good way of getting my hands on the actual module instance that doesn't involve <code>eval</code>ling the <code>str</code> I get back from <code>__module__</code>.</p>