POLS3016 Contemporary Political Theory (5 cr)

Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English
Responsible organisation:
Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Curriculum periods:
2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023

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Introduction to the contemporary debates in the field of political theory

Description

The study unit focuses on the key themes and approaches in late-modern and contemporary political thought. The lectures trace the key developments in the political thought starting from the late-modern period, identifying continuities and discontinuities with previous traditions as well as their innovative reinterpretations. The study unit focuses on key authors of the period, presenting the systematic structure of their thought, the intellectual and social context of its emergence, their relation to the main theoretical debates of the period and their influence on contemporary thought and practice

Learning outcomes

To attain a critical introduction to late-modern and contemporary theories of politics, to learn to locate the positions of key 20th and 21st century political thinkers in the intellectual and socio-historical context, to develop one's skills in critical reading and textual analysis and one's abilities to apply theoretical concepts to issues and events in contemporary politics.

Study materials

List of literature below. Additional recommended readings to be determined at the beginning of the course.

Literature

  • Schmitt, C. (1976) The Concept of the Political, New Brunswick: Rutgers University Press. 0-8135-0833-9
  • Heidegger, M. (1977) Basic Writings, New York: Harper Collins, in particular ‘Being and Time: Introduction’, ‘What is Metaphysics?’, ‘Letter on Humanism’, ‘The Question Concerning Technology’ 978-0-06162-701-9
  • Arendt, H. (1998) The Human Condition, Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. 0-226-02598-5 0-226-02599-3
  • Foucault, M. (1990) History of Sexuality. Volume One: An Introduction, Harmondsworth: Penguin. 978-0-67972-469-8
  • Derrida, J. (1996) Politics of Friendship, London: Verso. 1-85984-033-7 1-85984-913-X
  • Agamben, G. (1998) Homo Sacer: Sovereign Power and Bare Life, Stanford: Stanford University Press. 0804732175 0804732183
  • Nancy, J-L. (2010) The Truth of Democracy, New York: Fordham University Press. 978-0-82323-245-1 978-0-82323-244-4
  • Butler, J. (2015), Notes Towards a Performative Theory of Assembly, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 978-0-674-96775-5
  • Esposito, R. (2012), Terms of the Political: Community, Immunity, Biopolitics, New York: Fordham University Press. 978-0-82324-264-1 978-0-82324-627-4 (e-book)
  • Malabou, C. (2012), Ontology of the Accident: An Essay on Destructive Plasticity, London: Polity Press. 978-0-74565-261-0

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
20 hrs lectures, writing assignment
Evaluation criteria:
Assignments are evaluated on the basis of the students’ mastery of the contents of teaching and literature, demonstrated skills in critical evaluation of arguments and the application of theoretical concepts to political issues.
Select all marked parts

Method 2

Description:
Independent study (essay on 3 books from the literature)
Evaluation criteria:
Assignments are evaluated on the basis of the students’ mastery of the contents of literature, demonstrated skills in critical evaluation of arguments and the application of theoretical concepts to political issues.
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
x

Participation in teaching (5 cr)

Type:
Participation in teaching
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English

Teaching

x

Independent study (5 cr)

Type:
Independent study
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English

Teaching