CDSn4006 Pluralism and Disagreement: Issues in Contemporary Democratic Theory

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2022
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Jiří Baroš, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Otto Eibl, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. et Mgr. Jiří Baroš, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Mon 10:00–11:40 P21b
Prerequisites (in Czech)
Ability to read and understand academic literature, willingness to participate in in-class seminar debates. Familiarity with basic notions and debates in political philosophy and theory of democracy will definitely help.
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 (in Czech)
The course provides an advanced introduction to some major issues in contemporary democratic theory (normative theory of democracy), with a special focus on the fact of moral, ethical, and political disagreement in liberal constitutional democracies. We will discuss hotly contested issues which appear both in public discourse and scholarly production, such as the (alleged) crisis of liberal democracy, nationalism and multiculturalism, secularism and political Islam, constitutionalism and democracy, constitutional patriotism, migration, political representation, or the separation of powers. By engaging recent theoretical literature dealing with these crucial issues, students are invited to critically assess competing visions of democracy, as well as different beliefs about particular problems that arise in a democratic polity. Critical diagnosis of the theoretical, conceptual and normative pillars of liberal democracy enables a more robust rethinking and justification of liberal democratic rule, and allows students to reflectively build up their own position vis-à-vis the respective topics.
Learning outcomes (in Czech)
Upon completing the course, students will have a good grasp of some advanced debates in contemporary democratic theory about the status of liberal democracy and/or its fundamental elements. They will be able to analyse main theoretical concepts and positions which appear at the heart of contemporary debates. Also, students will be able to critically evaluate the corresponding disagreements both in political and constitutional theory and within the wider public sphere. Students thus sharpen their ability to orientate themselves in the current intellectual milieu, without succumbing to simplifications, strawman-like arguments, or general ignorance.
Syllabus
  • Week 1. Moral Pluralism and Deep Disagreement in Constitutional Democracy (Dufek)
  • Week 2. Crisis of Liberal Democracy as a Crisis of Thinking about Democracy? (Dufek)
  • Week 3. Liberty, Liberalism and Perfectionism (Baroš)
  • Week 4. Power, Authority, and Legitimacy (Baroš)
  • Week 5. Constitutionalism and Democracy: Current Developments
  • Week 6. Discussion Session I
  • Week 7. Political Representation and the Quest for Democratic Innovations (Dufek)
  • Week 8. Separation of Powers, Populism and Technocracy (Dufek)
  • Week 9. Contemporary Illiberalism and Populism (Baroš)
  • Week 10. Self-study Week (Easter Holiday)
  • Week 11. How to Justify Democracy? (Dufek)
  • Week 12. Secularism and Religious Liberty (Baroš)
  • Week 13. Discussion Session II.
Teaching methods
The teaching method will be short lectures followed by seminar discussions (the two parts will not be strictly separated). Students are encouraged to actively participate by posing questions of clarification and bringing up topics for discussion. They are expected to study the assigned reading(s) for each seminar carefully and prepare their own comments and questions, even if they do not submit a position paper for a given topic.
The point of the two Discussion sessions is to improve the ability of students to summarize an issue, defend a particular interpretation, and evaluate critically arguments of their counterparts in the course of an open in-class exchange.
Final papers are meant to improve the ability of students to analyse a given topic in more depth, making use of relevant knowledge and skills acquired during the course.
Assessment methods
The final grade will be calculated as a composite of the following criteria:

(1) Position papers
Students are expected to read the assigned reading(s) for each seminar (“core readings”), in order to be able to follow the teacher’s explication, as well as to take part in the in-class discussions. Optional texts (“suggested readings”) are provided for those who develop deeper interest in the given topic.
Based on the readings, students are required to write at least three short position papers (no more than 500 words each) on three different seminar topics. If there are two or more required readings, students should briefly summarise all of them and then proceed to discuss, criticize etc. only selected issues (depending on one’s preferences). Students are thus encouraged to actively participate in the seminars, based on their preparation for the class.
To enable the flow of the discussion, papers thus should have three clearly identified sections (this is a strict requirement):
1) Summary of the main points of the assigned reading(s), entitled “Summary”;
2) Critical discussion of the most interesting or most questionable parts of the readings, entitled “Discussion/Critique”;
3) Questions of clarification and/or questions for in-class discussion entitled “Questions”.
We emphasise that the discussion section, linked, ideally, to the subsequent questions, should represent the most substantial part of the position paper – i.e. PPs that are merely summaries of core readings, or do not follow this structure, or contain different points scattered throughout the text, will be assessed accordingly or even rejected (in such a case they will not count towards the student’s overall grade). The questions asked shall relate to the readings or the topic as such; also, it makes little sense to inquire about things no one can really know at this time (such as what is the future of democracy). Also, please avoid asking questions which have been clearly answered by the authors of the assigned readings, or the answers to which are two Google clicks removed from you.
Each position paper will receive 0–2 points. Late submissions and submissions that do not meet the minimal requirements of quality and structure will not be accepted for assessment. Students are free to submit more than two position papers during the term; however, the maximum points achievable for PPs is 6, and any extra position papers above that will not count towards the final grade (although they will be always useful for in-class discussion).
Position papers shall be uploaded to the Study Materials -> Position papers section in the Information System no later than Sunday, 5pm. However we advise students to submit their PPs earlier if possible.

(2) Final Paper
At the end of the semester students should submit a final paper addressing a topic relevant to the course (ca 3000 words). The topic should be consulted beforehand with the lecturers during their office hours. Essays will be evaluated on the basis of standard criteria of academic writing, which include: relevance of goals and methods; conceptualisation of the topic; logical structure; robust theoretical background; reasonably rich source base; or originality of approach. There is no possibility of re-submission once the paper is assessed, so students are strongly advised not to underestimate this requirement. The final paper shall be uploaded to the course’s Study Materials –> Homework Vaults –> Final Essays section. The deadline is May 30 (Monday), 2022
Final papers will be awarded 0–14 points, based on their meeting the criteria mentioned above.

(3) Final written exam
There will be a final written exam, consisting of five questions of which four questions shall be answered; questions will be based both on the required readings and the contents of the lectures and in-class discussions. Each answer will be awarded 0–4 points (i.e. max. 16 points overall). Length of the exam: 60 minutes.
All exam slots will take place during the exam period starting May 16, 2022. As of mid-February, we expect the exams to take place live/in person at the Faculty of Social Studies; we will update should any changes come up.

(4) Discussion sessions
There will be two debate sessions during the term; students are expected to take part at least in one of them. The sessions are intended as a toy judicial hearing, providing the opportunity to exchange reasons about a controversial political topic which has respectable philosophical background.
For each session three groups will be created – two parties to the debate itself and a referee panel. The discussing groups will defend, respectively, affirmative and negative answers to the question, while referees will steer and preside over the contest. Students shall create groups no later than the end of the third week of the term. Please make up the groups by registering via the Information System (CDS4006 homepage–>Topic Lists) once the topics are made public.
For details on the discussion session please see the course syllabus in the Study Materials.

Grading scheme:
A (Excellent): 40–37 points B (Very Good): 36–33 points C (Good): 32–30 points D (Satisfactory): 29–27 points E (Sufficient): 26–24 points F (Failed): 23 points and less
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
Most up-to-date information is always to be found in the course syllabus in the Study Materials. Preliminary syllabus will appear there during the Feb 7–13 week; the final version will be available on Monday, February 14 (first day of the spring term)
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2022, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2022/CDSn4006