POL287 Concepts in Political Philosophy

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2017
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Pavel Dufek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Stanislav Balík, Ph.D.
Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 13:30–15:00 U32
Prerequisites (in Czech)
POL142 20th Century Pol. Philosophy || POL180 Political Philosophy || SOUHLAS
Schopnost číst odborné teoretické texty v českém :) i anglickém jazyce (tzn. alespoň pasivní znalost), ochota aktivně participovat v diskusích. Tento kurz bude sestávat z krátkých přednášek, po kterých následuje seminární diskuse k tématu vycházející z kratších esejů na zadané téma. Předpokládá se, že studenti/tky budou mít prostudovanou povinnou literaturu a budou se zapojovat do seminárních diskusí.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
At the end of the course students should be able to understand fundamental concepts of normative political theory, which can be considered its main building blocs. Based on acquired knowledge, students will be able to identify shifting meanings of concepts such as liberty, equality, political authority etc. Through analyzing the key "cleavages" within the concepts, course participants will be able to critically evaluate their competing interpretations. This will enable them to systematize the major debates and issues of Western political thinking since its inception. The course therefore represents a more analytic complement to the mandatory courses History of Political ideas and Twentieth Century Political Philosophy.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction. Course Mission and Organization (22.9.)
  • 2. Political Concepts in Political Philosophy (29.9.)
  • 3. State, Nation and Sovereignty: Genealogy (6.10.)
  • 4. State, Nation and Sovereignty: Contemporary Challenges (13.10.)
  • 5. Political Power, Authority and Legitimacy (20.10.)
  • 6. Rights and Human Rights (27.10.)
  • 7. Liberty and Autonomy (3.11.)
  • 8. Equality (10.11.)
  • 9. Self-study Week (17.11.)
  • 10. Justice (24.11.)
  • 11. Community (1,12.)
  • 12. Democracy and Representation (8.12.)
  • 13. Reserve session (10.12.)
Literature
  • HOLZER, Jan, Pavel MOLEK, Jiří BAROŠ, Pavel DUFEK, Michal MOCHŤAK, Ivo POSPÍŠIL, Petr PRECLÍK and Hubert SMEKAL. Demokratizace a lidská práva. Středoevropské pohledy (Democratization and Human Rights. Central European Perspectives). 1st ed. Brno - Praha: MUNI Press - SLON, 2013, 266 pp. Studie 105. svazek. ISBN 978-80-7419-159-6. info
  • SWIFT, Adam. Politická filozofie : základní otázky moderní politologie. Translated by Denisa Šmejkalová. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2005, 190 s. ISBN 8071788597. info
  • GAUS, Gerald F. Political concepts and political theories. Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press, 2000, xiv, 288. ISBN 081333330X. info
  • A companion to contemporary political philosophy. Edited by Robert E. Goodin - Philip Pettit. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 1995, xiii, 679. ISBN 0631199519. info
Teaching methods
The course consists of shorter lectures and in-class seminars; these two parts of each class are not strictly separated. Students' position papers based on asigned readings are discussed in the seminars.
Assessment methods
Course evaluation has three parts:

(1) Position papers. Students are expected to submit at least five shorter essays or position papers, dealing with a topic (or topics) discussed in the assigned readings. These papers should then serve as a basis for in-class discussions. Each essay will receive 0-5 points, depending on its quality

(2) Final paper. At the end of the exam period, students are expected to submit a longer essay dealing with a topic of individual choice (though related to the course contents). Each paper will receive 0-10 points, depending on its quality

(3) In-class activity (up to 1,5 points each time)

The total point score will then determine the overall grading (50-46p A; 45-41p B; 40-37p C; 36-33p D; 32-30p E; 29p and less F)
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2013, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015, Autumn 2016.
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