(in Polish) Biopolitics 3800-BPL26-BE-S-OG
The aim of the course is to present the philosophical assumptions and historical forms in which the
relationship between biological life and politics appeared, and to familiarize students with the basic
texts in the field of biopolitics. During the course, two biopolitics models will be discussed. The first,
related to the ancient concept of life and the political way of shaping it, and the second, which
concerns life as the subject of biological sciences and the political use of the results of these sciences
(e.g. Darwinism, race theory, etc.). The goal of the course will also include analysis of contemporary
philosophical interpretations of biopolitics, based on such authors as Foucault, Agamben, and
problems such as illness, hygiene, otherness, exclusion, refugee status.
Selected topics:
- Nationalism and human rights,
- Reproduction, gender and sexuality as political problems,
- Eugenics, medicalization,
- Technology development (hybrids, cyborgs),
- Disease as a political category (epidemics, addictions, etc.).
Course coordinators
Type of course
general courses
Prerequisites (description)
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
K_W10, student knows the basic concepts, problems, theories and methods of biopolitics.
W_U14, student is able to prepare and deliver an oral presentation (paper) - particularly from the field
of biopolitics or related disciplines and sub-disciplines of science.
Skills:
K_U0, student is able to critically analyze oral and written statements of authors in the field of
biopolitics - reconstruct ideas, identify factual and normative assumptions, critically assess the
correctness of argumentation.
Social competences:
K_K01, student is ready to critically assess received knowledge and information.
Assessment criteria
Active participation – 50%, introductions to discussion -50%
Number of absences: 2 in a semester
Bibliography
Selection: Agamben, Homo sacer; Plato, The State; Aristotle, Politics; Arendt, The Origins of
Totalitarianism; Butler, Gender Trouble; Foucault, History of Sexuality; Hart, Negri, Commonwealth;