Democratic Theory - APOV30251

• Title: Democratic Theory
• Guaranteed by: Institute of Political Science (21-UPOL)
• Faculty: Faculty of Arts
• Actual: from 2020
• Semester: winter
• Points: 2
• E-Credits: 5
• Examination process: winter s.:
• Hours per week, examination: winter s.:0/2, C [HT]
• Capacity: unknown / unknown (20)
• Min. number of students: unlimited
• 4EU+: no
• Virtual mobility / capacity: no
• State of the course: not taught
• Language: English
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Teaching methods: full-time
• Note: course can be enrolled in outside the study plan; enabled for web enrollment
• Guarantor: Mgr. Jan Bíba, Ph.D.
• Class: Exchange - 14.1 Political Sciences

Annotation

Last update: Mgr. Jan Bíba, Ph.D. (15.08.2016)

It seems that almost everyone is now in favour of democracy. Even some of the most authoritarian regimes claim that they are real democracies or - at least - that they represent will of the people. However, this ubiquitous recognition and (mis)use of the word democracy testifies rather to our confusion in regards of the concept’s true meaning. Hence, in this course we will ask pertinent and timely questions like: What really is democracy? What kind of values and procedures democracy entails? What is democracy’s origin? etc. To answer these questions, we will combine both historical and conceptual approach.

Aim of the course

Last update: Mgr. Jan Bíba, Ph.D. (15.08.2016)

In this course we will ask pertinent and timely questions like: What really is democracy? What kind of values and procedures democracy entails? What is democracy’s origin? etc. To answer these questions, we will combine both historical and conceptual approach.

Course completion requirements

Last update: Mgr. Jan Bíba, Ph.D. (15.08.2016)

Students are supposed have at least one oral presentation, write one short paper (approximately 9 000 characters) and attend on a regular basis (70%).

Students can gain ECTS credits.

Literature

Last update: Mgr. Jan Bíba, Ph.D. (15.08.2016)

Birch, Anthony. The Concepts and Theories of Modern Democracy.

Bobbio, Norberto. The Future of Democracy.

Dahl, Robert (ed.). Democracy Sourcebook.

Dahl, Robert. Democracy and Its Critics.

Held, David. Models of Democracy.

 

Readings for each session will be distributed via Moodle.

Requirements to the exam

Last update: Mgr. Jan Bíba, Ph.D. (12.10.2018)

Students are supposed have at least one oral presentation, write one short paper (1000 words max.) and attend on a regular basis (70%).

Students can gain ECTS credits.

Syllabus

Last update: Mgr. Jan Bíba, Ph.D. (15.08.2016)

Main themes discussed in the seminar

1.       Democracy: one word many meanings

2.       Ancient democracy and its critics

3.       Republicanism and its heritage

4.       Representation and democracy

5.       Liberalism and democracy

6.       Democracy in mass societies and its discontent

7.       Contemporary critical theories of democracy: participation, deliberation, agonism

Entry requirements

Last update: Mgr. Jan Bíba, Ph.D. (15.08.2016)

The course is designed as an introductory course for BA level students. It does not presuppose any previous knowledge of political or democratic theory.