AHUM 27A10 - ABCs of Politics: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives on Contemporary Politics (The)

This course offers an introduction to contemporary political theory. It explores the fundamental ideas and debates that shape our understanding of politics and collective life in the modern world. What is the nature of politics? Where does political authority come from, and what makes it legitimate? How should we think about liberty, equality, and justice? What are the rights and obligations of citizens, and what role should the state play in our lives? How do new technologies, cultural differences, and the politics of the body challenge traditional concepts? These are some of the enduring questions we will examine together.

Drawing on a wide range of thinkers from diverse backgrounds and political orientations, the course challenges students to question their own assumptions about political life and to understand the roots of different political ideologies. We will analyse how key concepts are defined and contested, explore their real-world implications, and grapple with difficult ethical and political dilemmas.

The central goal of the course is to develop philosophical thinking as a method. Students will learn how to reconstruct arguments, identify hidden assumptions, analyse the multiple meanings of political concepts, and defend their own normative positions with clarity and rigour.

Each week combines lecture and seminar formats. Lectures introduce major ideas and authors, while seminars focus on close reading, discussion, and debate. Students will regularly engage with concrete case studies, and will have the opportunity to debate competing positions in class.

By the end of the course, students will have gained a strong foundation in political theory, sharper analytical skills, and a richer understanding of the political and ethical challenges facing contemporary societies.

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