Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to analyze and discuss, in a well-informed manner based on his or her own thinking, a selected question in the area of political philosophy.
At the end of the course the student should :
Be able to use research tools in political philosophy ;
Be able to conceptualise the selected question ;
Be able to situate responses to the question in the larger framework of the history of political philosophy and of contemporary debates as regards different approaches and theories;
Include, in the philosophical discussion of the selected question, contributions from other disciplines pertinent to the analysis and discussion of the question ;
Develop his or her own argumentation relative to the question.
Submit the method of study chosen for the selected question to a critical reflection.
Main themes
Each year this course will select a particular theme, e.g., justification for democracy, sovereignty, citizenship, conflict, power, justice worldwide, social justice, etc.
The course will always present philosophical approaches different from the chosen theme, and compare and contrast these.
The course will pay special attention to the relationship between the chosen theme and a reflection on the goals and methods of political philosophy.
Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)
Prerequisites :
Basic instruction in political philosophy ;
reading knowledge of English sufficient to permit study of contemporary texts in political philosophy