BHUM 14A00 - Political Theory – Texts and Ideas in Politics

What is politics? What does it mean to live freely? What is a just society? Under what conditions can power be legitimate? The first-year course in political theory and philosophy at the Undergraduate College proposes to examine classical theories- from Aristotle to Arendt - and to show how they help illuminate our present.

This course is thus conceived as a plural history of political thought based on a number of essential texts. As a workshop for reading and collective reflection in small groups, it aims to provide all students with a solid theoretical grounding in the fundamental concepts of political thought (rights, state, power, justice, freedom, etc.), approached through so-called “classical” texts.

This course is first and foremost intended as a place for reading, a return to the text, in a context where book culture among younger generations is on the decline. The exercises in critical reading and writing proposed within this course therefore constitute its primary pedagogical objective.

On the intellectual level, through the richness of the readings offered, the course aims to open students up to the plurality of worlds and theoretical traditions in political thought, by providing an intellectual foundation to support the diversity of studies offered within the Undergraduate College.

The response to these two challenges will consist in constructing a course that offers students situated thought experiments, inviting them to engage in different modes of critical reading and expression.

Assessment of weekly readings (25%) : To encourage regular and active reading of the texts, students will be required to submit homework on a regular basis (reading notes, summaries, detailed outlines, text analysis, etc.). Two or three submissions may be graded during the semester.

In-class presentation (25%) : This assessment will focus either on a complementary text from the syllabus, used to “update” or contextualize the work studied in class (e.g., a contemporary reader, a radio excerpt, etc.), or on a contemporary issue, showing how a concept or theory studied in class can help deepen our understanding of it. These presentations (which dates are set at the beginning of the semester) may be conducted in groups and can take various forms (group presentation, podcast, etc.). They are intended to enrich students’ participation during class discussions.

Written exam: text analysis (50%) : A two-hour written exam, to be held outside of class sessions (week 9, give or take a week) will focus on one of the texts in the syllabus. It will assess both the knowledge acquired and students’ ability to analyze a philosophical text.