PSCI 431
Senior Seminar in Political Theory: Rethinking the Political
Last Offered n/a
Division II
This course is not offered in the current catalog

Class Details

What is politics? The question, an important part of political theory at least since Socrates, has taken on renewed significance in recent years, as theorists have sought to rethink the political in response to twentieth century dictatorships and world wars; feminist, queer, anti-racist, post- and decolonial struggles; the transformations wrought by neoliberal globalization; the emergence of “algorithmic governance”; the recent resurgence of populist nationalism; and deepening recognition of climate crises. This seminar engages some of the major attempts at rethinking produced in the 20th and 21st centuries, particularly at those that, characterizing liberalism as masking structures of subordination and elements of conflict in political life, undervaluing the importance of citizen action and public space, or being ill-suited to altered technological and ecological conditions, seek to rework or move beyond it. In addition to those who argue for an expanded and emancipatory conception of politics, we will consider arguments against politics as primary path to improvement or focus of commitment. Authors read may include Schmitt, Strauss, Rawls, Arendt, Wolin, Rancière, Brown, Connolly, Hartman, Sharpe, Moten, Wynter, Sexton, Edelman, Muñoz, Coulthard, Simpson, Lazzarato, Haraway, Latour.
The Class: Format: seminar
Limit: 15
Expected: 11
Class#: 0
Grading:
Requirements/Evaluation: Regular, engaged class participation; short Glow posts; one 6-8 page paper; one 10-12 page paper
Prerequisites: Junior or senior standing and two or more theory courses or consent of instructor. Non-majors with theory interests and backgrounds are welcome
Enrollment Preferences: Juniors and seniors concentrating in political theory
Distributions: Division II
Attributes: PSCI Political Theory Courses

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