SE4432: Paradoxes of Democracy

School School of English, Communication & Philosophy
Department Code ENCAP
Module Code SE4432
External Subject Code 100337
Number of Credits 20
Level L6
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Dafydd Rees
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2024/5

Outline Description of Module

This research-based module will focus on fundamental questions in political philosophy, dealing with topics such as: democracy, political legitimacy, moral validity, international relations, the public sphere and the idea of publicness, and violence and political change. There will be a particular focus on the question of political foundations and the legitimacy of institutions. The module will be structured around “paradoxes” in our understanding and practice of democratic politics, such as: “foundations,” “inside and outside,” “public and private,” “rights and freedoms,” “peoples and states”, concentrating on one paradox over the course of the module. Thinkers covered may include: Aristotle, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Emmanuel Sieyès, Immanuel Kant, Carl Schmitt, Hannah Arendt, Jürgen Habermas, Jacques Rancière, Chantal Mouffe, Eneresto Laclau, and Étienne Balibar.   

On completion of the module a student should be able to

  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the philosophical issues raised by philosophers concerned with fundamental issues in political theory.  

  • Demonstrate a grasp of the issues that are of current concern to philosophers who study fundamental question in political theory and an understanding of how these concerns might apply in other areas of moral and political philosophy or political practice.  

How the module will be delivered

The module will be taught through ten one-hour lectures and ten two-hour seminars. 

Lectures will incorporate short informative presentations by lecturer, giving context and background information for the text, philosopher, or question under discussion. Seminars will focus on discussion of primary and secondary texts by commentators, and will incorporate small- or whole-group discussion of the texts by students.

Skills that will be practised and developed

Transferable / Employability Skills:  

It is worth bearing in mind that, even though the point of the module is to do philosophy, many of the skills you’ll be developing are also highly valued by graduate employers. These include:  

  • Critical Thinking: e.g. the ability to understand, structure and critically evaluate the key points and arguments made in written texts and discussions––achieved through e.g. reading, small group activities in lectures and seminars, plenary discussions in seminars, reflecting on lecture materials, essay and exam preparation and writing.  

  • Communication: the ability to formulate and articulate your critical thinking, both orally and on paper, in ways that others can grasp and engage with––achieved through e.g. small group work in seminars, seminar discussions, essay/exam writing.  

  • Organisation: the ability to organise and coordinate workloads––achieved through balancing e.g. reading, seminar preparation, essay/exam preparation.  

  • Working with others: e.g. co-constructing ideas, responding sensitively to others––achieved through e.g. small group work in seminars, group presentations.  

How the module will be assessed

Group Video Discussion (15 minutes): 30%

Research Essay - 2800 words: 70%

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Presentation 30 Group Video Discussion N/A
Written Assessment 70 Research Essay - 2800 Words N/A

Syllabus content

This is an indicative list of topics: 

  • Democracy, political legitimacy, moral validity, institutions.  

  • International relations, borders and migration, citizenship and sovereignty.  

  • The public sphere and the idea of publicness, public / private distinction. 

  • Violence and political change, foundation of polities. 


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