Admission requirements
Admission to one of the following programmes is required:
MA Philosophy 60 EC: PPE, or Ethics and Politics
MA Philosophy 120 EC: Philosophy of Law, or Philosophy of Political Science
(Students who have obtained a BA degree in Philosophy from Leiden University are admissible to all specialisations of the MA Philosophy 60 EC.)
Description
This course analyses the meaning and significance of democracy in the contemporary world. We will consider both the variety of democratic ideals as they have developed in the history of political thought and contemporary challenges posed by globalization. Questions that are likely to come up include: Is democracy all about elections, or does it require deeper forms of participation? What is democratic representation? What would it mean to democratize global forms of governance? The reading list will contain a mix of classic theories of democracy and recent discussions.
Course objectives
This course aims to give students an understanding of the most important strands of democratic theory and some of the challenges these theories face in the contemporary world.
Students who successfully complete the course will have a good understanding of :
the most important strands of democratic theory;
some of the challenges these theories face in the contemporary world.
Students who successfully complete the course will be able to:
critically analyse recent literature in democratic theory;
identify, articulate and critically assess key concepts and arguments in this area.
Timetable
See Timetables MA Philosophy 2015-2016
Mode of instruction
- Seminars
Class attendance is required.
Course Load
Total course load (10 EC x 28 hrs): 280 hours
Class attendance: 14 × 3 hours = 42 hours
Studying the compulsory literature: 118 hours
Completing assignments and papers: 120 hours
Assessment method
Mid-term paper: 30%
Final paper: 60%
Participation and/or presentation: 10%
Resit
One resit will be offered, covering the entire course content and consisting of a paper. The grade will replace previously earned grades for subtests. Students who have obtained a satisfactory grade for the first examination(s) cannot take the resit.
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for announcements and posting of course materials.
Reading list
To be announced.
Registration
Please register for this course via Study administration system uSis
See also Registration for lectures and tests
Students are strongly advised to register in uSis through the activity number which can be found in the timetable in the column under the heading “Act.nr”.
Registration Studeren à la carte and Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.
Contact
Remarks
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