Emotions In/And Politics

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Emotion is ubiquitous in political discourse – think: the angry protesters; the beloved nation; the humiliated man. It is used to cohere people together into proponents, opponents, activists, and advocates. This course examines the role of emotions (feelings and affects) in politics. Drawing on case studies largely from South Asia, it pays particular attention to how feelings of rage, disgust, dishonor, and love shape political action. We further notice how states too rely on intensifying or diminishing felt attachments to reiterate their power. The course thus unveils the affective domain of politics.