Dr Kai Spiekermann (MT) & Dr Laura Valentini (LT)

This course is available on the BSc in Environmental Policy with Economics, BSc in Government, BSc in Government and Economics, BSc in Government and History, BSc in International Relations, BSc in Politics and Philosophy and BSc in Social Policy with Government. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

This course is a pre-requisite for students wishing to take either of the third year options in Political Theory.

Introduction to Political Theory or equivalent.

This course provides an advanced introduction to contemporary political theory. The course is divided into two parts. The first focuses on key political concepts, such as liberty, equality, justice, rights, authority and democracy. The second turns to particularly pressing ethical questions characterizing the political domain. Some of these questions arise within the domestic political arena (e.g., the limits of freedom of speech; the regulation of abortion; respect for minority cultures), others in the international/global one (e.g., global poverty relief; terrorism; global climate change). Although the course will be concept and problem-driven, along the way, students will also be exposed to the views of leading contemporary political theorists, including John Rawls, Robert Nozick, Ronald Dworkin and many others. This course will provide students with a good grounding in the methods and substantive concerns of contemporary political theory as well as familiarity with the works of major thinkers in the field.

10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the MT. 10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the LT. 1 hour of lectures and 2 hours of classes in the ST.

The course requires ability to organize workload/do readings in advance/prepare for seminars. The course will present students with normative/ethical dilemmas they will need to tackle, and will enhance their analytical skills. As a course in political theory, verbal and written communication will be very much emphasized throughout.

W. Kymlicka, Contemporary Political Philosophy: An Introduction; A. Swift, Political Philosophy: A Beginners' Guide for Students and Politicians; G. F. Gaus, Political Concepts and Political Theories; R. Goodin and P. Pettit (eds.) A Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy; J. Wolff, An Introduction to Political Philosophy; C. Brown, Sovereignty Rights and Justice: International Political Theory Today; J. Rawls, A Theory of Justice; R. Nozick, Anarchy, State and Utopia; R. Dworkin, Sovereign Virtue.

Exam (100%, duration: 3 hours) in the main exam period.