POLA2011 Theories of Democracy (5 cr)

Open the course unit brochure on Sisu
Study level:
Intermediate studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish
Responsible organisation:
Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Curriculum periods:
2024-2025, 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028

Description

Familiarising students with traditions of democratic theory, its key debates and strands, and its current debates.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, students have familiarised themselves with traditions of democratic theory and its current issues. They are able to apply theoretical perspectives to the analysis of current political problems and analyse theory debates and concrete questions of democracy in diverse ways, noticing the connection of theory debates to the contradictions of democracy.

Study materials

Materials for contact teaching are introduced during the course. Materials for the written assignment in the literature list.

For the written assignment, choose TWO of the following:

Literature

  • Crouch, C. 2004: Post-democracy. Polity.
  • Bryson, V. 2016: Feminist political theory. Palgrave.
  • Meriluoto, T. & Litmanen, T. (toim.). 2019: Osallistu! Pelastaako osallistaminen demokratian? Vastapaino.
  • Dahl, R. 2020: On Democracy. Yale University Press.
  • Rosanvallon, P. 2008: Vastademokratia: politiikka epäluulon aikakaudella. Vastapaino.
  • Setälä, M. 2003: Demokratian arvo: teoriat, käytännöt ja mahdollisuudet. Gaudeamus.
  • Schumpeter, J. 2010: Capitalism, socialism and democracy. Routledge.
  • Brown, W. 2015: Undoing the Demos: Neoliberalism's Stealth Revolution. The MIT Press.
  • Urbinati, N. 2019: Me the People: How Populism Transforms Democracy. Harvard University Press.

Completion methods

Method 1

Description:
Contact teaching
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:
Written 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
Parts of the completion methods
x

Teaching (5 cr)

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

Teaching

x

Independent study (5 cr)

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

Teaching