BMET 25A15 - Addressing Power. How to read Political Philosophy through Women's texts.
BMET 25A15 · Spring semester 2025-2026
- Language of tuition
- English
- Course type
- Atelier
- Number of hours
- 24
- Credits
- 5
Information
Description
Is it possible to teach a class in political philosophy solely based on ideas and texts whose authors identified as women? Grounded in the writings of such thinkers, this class takes on the challenge !
This course is primarily focused on methodology: its aim is to develop and exercise the reflexes needed to read, understand, and engage with philosophical texts effectively. Step by step, students will acquire the tools necessary to analyze philosophical works while building their own arguments and interpretations.
Challenging the grain of the Western tradition—where most theoretical texts have been authored by men—this course emphasizes the development of new interpretative skills by focusing on texts written by women.
No prerequisites are required to take this course.
Assessment
Readings
Main readings 5
-
Aynd Rand, The Virtue of Selfishness(extracts)
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Hannah Arendt: The crisis of culture (extracts)
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Margaret Mead, Coming of age in Samoa (extracts)
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Rosa Luxembourg, Social Reform or revolution (extracts)
-
Simone Weil, The need for roots (extracts)
Further readings 17
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Arendt, Hannah. On Violence. Important Books, 2014
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Benhabib, Seyla. The Claims of Culture. Princeton University Press, 2002.
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Butler, Judith. The Psychic Life of Power: Theories in Subjection. Stanford University Press, 2013.
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Duran, Jane. Women in Political Theory. Ashgate, 2013.
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Follett, Mary Parker. Creative Experience. Martino Fine Books, 2013.
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Luxemburg, Rosa. Reform or Revolution and Other Writings. Dover Books, 2006.
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McKinnon, Catharine. Are Women Human? Harvard University Press, 2007.
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Michel, Louise. Red Virgin: Memoirs. University of Alabama Press, 2003.
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Nussbaum, Martha. Upheavals of Thought: The Intelligence of Emotions. Cambridge University Press, 2003
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Rand, Ayn. The Virtue of Selfishness. Signet, 1964.
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Rand, George. Story of My Life. State University of New York Press, 1991.
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Scott, Joan. Only Paradoxes to Offer. Harvard University Press, 1997.
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Shklar, Judith. Ordinary Vices. The Belknap Press of Harvard University, 1984.
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Springora, Vanessa. Consent. Grasset, 2020.
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Staël, Germaine de. On Politics, Literature and National Character. Doubleday Anchor Book, 1964.
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Tristan, Flora. Peregrinations of a Pariah. Virago/Beacon Travelers, 1987.
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Weil, Simone. The Need for Roots: Prelude to a Declaration of Duties Towards Mankind. Routledge, 2001.
Teaching units
| Unit no. | Unit type | Teaching units | Teachers | Number of hours | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55301 | Atelier | Addressing Power. How to read Political Philosophy through Women's texts. | Yaël HIRSCH | 24 | 5 |
Teachers
- Yaël HIRSCH
In the curricula
- Bachelor exchange programme, spring semester, methodological workshops / Bachelor, Programme d'échange, semestre 4, ateliers méthodologiques - 25/26COLLÈGE UNIVERSITAIRE - CAMPUS PARIS
- Bachelor, programme général, semestre 4 - 25/26 : Ateliers méthodologiquesCOLLÈGE UNIVERSITAIRE - CAMPUS PARIS
Contacts and resources
- Contact
- SYMPHOR Benoît