PSCI 4316
Contemporary Political Theory
Examines major currents and themes in continental political thought since the early twentieth century. These may include existentialist, Critical Theory, feminist, and poststructural approaches in relation to topics, such as crises of modernity, (post-) modern reconfigurations of power, and perspectives for democracy.
2022
Readings
- ̈ Syllabus ̈ Gordon and McCormick, “Introduction: Weimar Thought: Continuity and Crisis”, in Weimar Thought. A Contested Legacy (Princeton: 2013), pp. 1- 11.
- ̈ Rudiger Graf and Moritz Föllmer, “The culture of ‘crisis’ in the Weimar Republic”, Thesis Eleven, 111(1), 2012, 36–47.
- Optional: ̈ Babylon Berlin tv series (Netflix) ̈ Koselleck, “Crisis”, Journal of the History of Ideas, Volume 67, Number 2, April 2006, pp. 357-400.
- ̈ Carl Schmitt, The Concept of the Political (1932) ̈ *Carl Schmitt, Political Theology. Four Chapters on the Concept of Sovereignty, Chap.
- ̈ *Strauss, “German Nihilism” (1941) ̈ Strauss, “The Living Issues of German Postwar Philosophy” (1940) ̈ Löwith, “Nature, History and Existentialism”
Undated
Topics
- Schmitt
- Hayes + Arendt
- Beradt
- Speer + Abensour
- Arendt
- Adorno + Horkheimer
- Camus
- Beauvoir
- Conclusion
Readings
- Syllabus Peter E. Gordon, “Why Historical Analogy Matters,”, in D. Steinmetz-Jenkins, Did it Happen Here? Perspectives on Fascism and America (2024)
- Max Weber, The Vocation Lectures: “Science as a Vocation” (read pp. 11-31) and “Politics as a Vocation” (read pp. 76-94).
- Carlton J. H. Hayes, “The Novelty of Totalitarianism in the History of Western Civilization” (1940) Hannah Arendt, The Origins of Totalitarianism, Chap. 11: Section I
Prerequisites & course information
Prerequisite(s): Fourth-year Honours standing and ( PSCI 2301 and PSCI 2302 ) or permission of the Department. Seminar three hours a week.