ASTK12159U New Directions in Contemporary Democratic Theory

Volume 2013/2014
Content
The objective of this seminar is to introduce and discuss three new directions in contemporary democratic theory: agonism, communism, and the new materialism. In each case, the seminar will explore the intellectual background of the direction in question before moving on to an in-depth discussion of its main themes and contributions to contemporary democratic theory. The seminar will also examine how the three directions are driven by present-day concerns about multiculturalism, popular sovereignty, neo-liberalism, climate change, and political mobilization. Students who complete the seminar should be able to assess the main lines of division in contemporary democratic theory and to discuss whether the assumptions underlying these lines of division imply a rethinking of democracy itself.
Learning Outcome

As a political theory seminar, this course will emphasize close readings, conceptual analysis, and critical thinking. The successful student will excel in the following areas: 

  • Describe the main themes and assumptions invoked by each of the three directions introduced in the course of the seminar.

  • Compare the three directions with respect to key concepts in democratic theory (freedom, justice, sovereignty, and so forth).

 

  • Apply each of the directions to challenges facing the conditions contemporary democratic politics.

 

  • Critically assess the contributions each direction makes to existing conceptions of democracy.
Literature

The following is a list of likely readings. A final reading list will be available closer to the start of the spring semester.

 

Badiou, Alain. Philosophy for Militants. Trans. Bruno Bostells. New York: Verso, 2012.

Bennett, Jane. Vibrant Matter: A Political Ecology of Things. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2010.

Bosteels, Bruno. The Actuality of Communism. New York: Verso, 2011.

Connolly, William. The Fragility of Things: Self-Organizing Processes, Neo-Liberal Fantasies, and Democratic Activism. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2013.

Coole, Diana and Samatha Frost, eds. New Materialisms: Ontology, Agency, and Politics. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2010.

Dean, Jodi. The Communist Horizon. New York: Verso, 2012.

Honig, Bonnie, Antigone, Interrupted. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2013.

Massumi, Brian. Parables for the Virtual: Movement, Affect, Sensation. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2002.

Norval, Aletta. Aversive Democracy: Inheritance and Originality in the Democratic Tradition. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008.

Panagia, Davide. The Political Life of Sensation. Durham, N.C.: Duke University Press, 2009.

Ranciere, Jacques. Dissensus: On Politics and Aesthetics. Trans. Steven Corcoran. New York: Continuum, 2010.

Schaap, Andrew, ed. Law and Agonistic Politics. Ashgate, 2009.

Tully, James. Public Philosophy in a New Key. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009.

Wenman, Mark. Agonistic Democracy: Constituent Power in the Era of Globalization. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.

Zizek, Slavoj. The Year of Dreaming Dangerously. New York: Verso, 2012.

 

In addition to these readings, students will also be introduced to excerpts by Marx, Nietzsche, and Spinoza.

 

While there are no formal prerequisites other than the ones stated in the “Studieordningen,” students are expected to be interested in political theory and its possible contributions to contemporary democratic politics.
Teaching methods: short lectures, student presentations, and open discussions
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Class Instruction
  • 28
  • Exam
  • 79
  • Preparation
  • 168
  • Total
  • 275
Credit
10 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Written exam
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Criteria for exam assesment

Criteria for achieving the goals:

  • Grade 12 is given for an outstanding performance: the student lives up to the course's goal description in an independent and convincing manner with no or few and minor shortcomings
  • Grade 7 is given for a good performance: the student is confidently able to live up to the goal description, albeit with several shortcomings
  • Grade 02 is given for an adequate performance: the minimum acceptable performance in which the student is only able to live up to the goal description in an insecure and incomplete manner