All programmes > Course: Social and Political Philosophy: Advanced Course

Social and Political Philosophy: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W0EC7A)

4.0 ECTS English 26.0 Second termSecond term Basic
Braeckman Antoon
This course is taught this academic year, but not next year.This course is taught this academic year, but not next year.
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Aims

The purpose of this course is to make the student investigate both basic and topical issues in social and political philosophy.
At the end of the course the student should:
- have reached a thorough understanding about the way contemporary political theorists conceive of the shift from 'government to governance' and its democratic potential and/or limits.
- have gained a  familiarity with the central lines of reasoning in the debate
- have built up a selective acquaintance with the important literature on the topic
- have participated in class discussions based on the reading assignments concerning the topic
- be able to give an outline of the philosophical discussion on the topic
- be able to spell out the major philosophical questions regarding the topic
- be able to question and discuss the topic from a personal perspective
- be able to write a concise interpretative essay on the topic from a personal perspective
- be able to substantiate his/her views on the topic as spelled out in the interpretative essay

Previous knowledge

The student should have taken an introductory course in philosophy. S/he is also supposed to have attended either a general introduction to social and political philosophy or an introductory course in ethics.
In addition, a willingness to attentively prepare the reading assignments at home, combined with a readiness to actively participate in class discussions is required.
An advanced knowledge of English is a prerequisite.

Course material

Articles and literature
Toledo / e-platform
Slides, transparencies, courseware

Is also included in other courses

Activities

4.0 ects. Social and Political Philosophy: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W0EC7a)

4.0 ECTS English 26.0 Second termSecond term
Braeckman Antoon
POC Philosophy (internationaal)

Content

The course topic changes each year. This year (2012-2013) the course deals with a particular trend in contemporary politics and policies: "The transition from government to governance" (topic and title are still provisional; to be confirmed at the beginning of the academic year). More specifically the course will address:
- the concept of (global) governance & its (historical) conditions
- the idea of democracy and the setup of democratic institutions
In addition, the course will offer various philosophical perspectives in order to critically deal with the current shift from (democratic) government to (global) governance, to understand its historical conditions and to fathom its democratic potential.

Description of learning activities

The students are expected
- to read and prepare the assigned texts in advance (relying on some directive questions)
- to participate in class discussions
- to take notes in order to be able to report on the previous discussion(s)
Apart from the reading and subsequent class discussions, which cover the bulk of the course activities, there will be formal lectures to introduce the topic and/or to elaborate on its theoretical and historical background.

Course material

A reader with articles (or book chapters) by leading scholars in the debate will be available at the beginning of the course (all in English translation). It will contain texts by a.o. Antonio Negri, Chantal Mouffe, Danilo Zolo, Claus Offe, Michel Foucault, etc.
The reader can be purchased from NFK's cursusdienst.

Apart from that, all PowerPoint-slides related to the formal lectures, will be posted on Toledo.

Evaluation

Evaluation: Social and Political Philosophy: Advanced Course (B-KUL-W2EC7a)

Mode of evaluation : Oral with written preparation
Category : final examination during examination period
Type of evaluation : Take-Home

Explanation

Examination description

Students are expected to prepare at home a 1500 to 2000 word essay on the topic as discussed in class and to give a ten-minute oral presentation of the essay's  central argument at the oral exam. The content of the essay consists in a personal, creative elaboration on the topic, based on the readings and discussions in class. The issues addressed in the essay may be subject to further examination and questioning.

Second examination attempt

In each academic year the student is entitled to two examination attempts: the first attempt takes place in the first or second examination session, depending on the semester when the course is offered, the second attempt takes place in the third examination session.
In the third examination session the evaluation form is the same like the evaluation form in the first or second examination session.