Department of Political Science and Public Administration

The course aims to present the central political concepts of the 20th century. The close study of selected contemporary texts reveals the influence of political philosophy and the critique of political economy and social theory, the similarities and the differences with the classical tradition and the Enlightenment. The course will examine the main two trends in contemporary political theory: the analytic tradition, with its emphasis on normative conclusions through the analysis of concepts and arguments, and the continental tradition, with the description of the political phenomenon through sociological critique.

The course aims to

1. reveal the major ideas and themes of contemporary political theory in the analytic and the continental traditions
2. apprehend critically the theoretical proposals of the thinkers of the 20th century political theory
3. acquire the basic knowledge related to the central contemporary philosophical ideas
4. develop skills for the critical analysis of political texts using the main concepts of contemporary political theory.

Syllabus

1. Political theory and political philosophy in the 20th century
2. Freedom
3. Rights
4. Ownership
5. Justice
6. Equality
7. Community
8. Multiculturalism
9. Democracy
10. Major works of political theory in the 20th century

Learning outcomes

Completion of the course will enable students to

1. understand the significance of the major thinkers and trends of contemporary political theory and their differentiations
2. acquire skills of textual analysis and presentation of central arguments
3. appreciate the differences between, and the limitations of, analytic and continental political theory for the analysis of the political phenomenon.

More information and support material at the course's e-class pages.