Studies on the State 2104-UPIR-D2STST
This course is a chronological introduction to a selection of major works in Western political theory. Some of the central themes that the course will cover are ‘justice,’‘ human nature’ and political action. What is justice, and injustice? What are people like, what do they want and what may they hope for? Do we all want the same from our lives? How may and how should different political ideals be pursued? We will survey answers offered by many different kinds of thinkers, writing under a variety circumstances. Finally, we will pay attention to what our theorists themselves are up to: how they argue for their views, whom they are addressing, and how they can be interpreted.
A common question students taking this course ask is, “What do the texts and issues for this course have to do with our politics?” Here’s a possible answer: It is up to you to decide whether they indeed have. Your answer, at the end of the day, may reasonably be “no.” But before you jump to that conclusion, you should note that many people — many generations, in fact — have taken these texts to deal with the most important political questions there are.
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Students:
- are familiar with the major traditions in political philosophy and use them for policy analysis
- know, understand and use basic concepts of political philosophy
- have literacy in classical texts from political thought
- discuss and build arguments using concepts from political thought
Assessment criteria
Final essay, 60% is the threshold necessary to pass. Essay topics will be given at the end of the course.
Bibliography
Plato, “Apology,” in The Trial & Death of Socrates
Machiavelli, The Prince, chs. 1–17
Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan, chs. 13–16
John Locke, Second Treatise on Government, chs. 1–6
Marx & Engels, The Communist Manifesto, Ch. I–II
John Rawls, Theory of Justice (Ch. 1 Justice as Fairness p. 3-22 and Ch.2 The Principles of Justice p. 60-65 )
Oakeshott, Michael. "On Being Conservative." In Rationalism in Politics and Other Essays, 2nd edition, pp. 407-437. Liberty Fund: Indianapolis, 1991.
Sylvia Walby: Theorising Patriarchy, Oxford: Basil Blackwell, 1990. Ch. 7 "State"
Mudde, Cas, Rovira Kaltwasser, Cristobal.; Populism: A Very Short Introduction, chapter 1
Mann, Michael. Fascists. Cambridge University Press, 2004, ch. 1 "Sociology of fasict movements"
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Term 2023L:
Plato, “Apology,” in The Trial & Death of Socrates |
Term 2024L:
Plato, “Apology,” in The Trial & Death of Socrates |
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: