Prospectus

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Global Democracy and the Nation State (PP2)

Course
2015-2016

Admission requirements

Admission to one of the following programmes is required:

  • MA Philosophy 60 EC: PPE, or Ethics and Politics

  • MA Philosophy 120 EC: Philosophy of Law, or Philosophy of Political Science

(Students who have obtained a BA degree in Philosophy from Leiden University are admissible to all specialisations of the MA Philosophy 60 EC.)

Description

This course analyses the meaning and significance of democracy in the contemporary world. We will consider both the variety of democratic ideals as they have developed in the history of political thought and contemporary challenges posed by globalization. Questions that are likely to come up include: Is democracy all about elections, or does it require deeper forms of participation? What is democratic representation? What would it mean to democratize global forms of governance? The reading list will contain a mix of classic theories of democracy and recent discussions.

Course objectives

This course aims to give students an understanding of the most important strands of democratic theory and some of the challenges these theories face in the contemporary world.

Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of :

  • the most important strands of democratic theory;

  • some of the challenges these theories face in the contemporary world.

Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:

  • critically analyse recent literature in democratic theory;

  • identify, articulate and critically assess key concepts and arguments in this area.

Timetable

See Timetables MA Philosophy 2015-2016

Mode of instruction

  • Seminars

Class attendance is required.

Course Load

Total course load (10 EC x 28 hrs): 280 hours

  • Class attendance: 14 × 3 hours = 42 hours

  • Studying the compulsory literature: 118 hours

  • Completing assignments and papers: 120 hours

Assessment method

  • Mid-term paper: 30%

  • Final paper: 60%

  • Participation and/or presentation: 10%

Resit

One resit will be offered, covering the entire course content and consisting of a paper. The grade will replace previously earned grades for subtests. Students who have obtained a satisfactory grade for the first examination(s) cannot take the resit.

Blackboard

Blackboard will be used for announcements and posting of course materials.

Reading list

To be announced.

Registration

Please register for this course via Study administration system uSis
See also Registration for lectures and tests

Students are strongly advised to register in uSis through the activity number which can be found in the timetable in the column under the heading “Act.nr”.

Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs

Not applicable.

Contact

Dr. T. Fossen

Remarks