| Dozent/in |
Dr. Olivier Ruchet |
| Veranstaltungsart |
Proseminar |
| Code |
HS251588 |
| Semester |
Herbstsemester 2025 |
| Durchführender Fachbereich |
Politikwissenschaft |
| Studienstufe |
Bachelor
Master |
| Termin/e |
wöchentlich (Mi), ab 17.09.2025, 14:15 - 16:00 Uhr, HS 2 |
| Umfang |
2 Semesterwochenstunden |
| Turnus |
wöchentlich |
| Inhalt |
This introductory proseminar in political theory and the history of ideas offers a further exploration into some key works by theorists covered in the lecture course on theories of democracy and goes beyond this. We address central questions such as: Is man a political being? What is the function of the state? How can we live together in freedom and equality in spite of our differences and different interests? What does democracy mean? How can we prevent exclusion and oppression?
In the first block of the course, we deal with classics of the history of political ideas from antiquity and modern times. We discuss Aristotle's departure from the ancient understanding of politics as the natural activity of the cooperative community being “man” and Hobbes' turn towards the “modern” understanding of politics as overcoming the conflictual and selfish nature of man. Then, we assess the subsequent development of liberalism and its emphasis on natural rights and especially property rights in Locke and the opposing criticism of modern (capitalist) social and property relations in Rousseau. Finally, we discuss the attempt to develop a “Republican” counter-model in Machiavelli and Rousseau, which again sees man more strongly as a communal being and still characterizes Switzerland's democratic self-image today.
The second block builds on the first and explores the ideas developed in contemporary classical texts in greater depth: today's liberalism and its central ideas of “secularism” and “multiculturalism” are addressed, as is the attempt to redefine Republicanism in the ideal of “freedom from domination” or the idea of a “deliberative” democracy and the democratic inclusion of minorities through special rights.
In addition, basic aspects and skills of academic work in political theory are covered, including the difference between normative and positive analysis, as well as how to write a seminar paper.
|
| E-Learning |
https://lms.uzh.ch/url/RepositoryEntry/17757405946 |
| Lernziele |
The proseminar is intended to provide an in-depth insight into the field of political theory, especially for first-year students. |
| Voraussetzungen |
The seminar is aimed at participants in the Theories of Democracy lecture course (but can also be attended by other students in exceptional cases). |
| Sprache |
Englisch |
| Begrenzung |
Teilnahmebeschränkung vorbehalten; Studierende des Grundstudiums werden bevorzugt |
| Anmeldung |
***Wichtig*** Um Credits zu erwerben ist die Anmeldung zur Lehrveranstaltung über das UniPortal zwingend erforderlich. Die Anmeldung ist ab zwei Wochen vor bis zwei Wochen nach Beginn des Semesters möglich. An- und Abmeldungen sind nach diesem Zeitraum nicht mehr möglich. Die genauen Anmeldedaten finden Sie hier: http://www.unilu.ch/ksf/semesterdaten |
| Leistungsnachweis |
Aktive Teilnahme, Regelmäßige OLAT Kommentare/ 4 CP |
| Abschlussform / Credits |
Aktive Teilnahme, Essay (benotet) / Entwicklung und Vertretung einer Position in einer Advokatendiskussion / 4 Credits
|
| Hinweise |
Teilnahmebeschränkung vorbehalten; Studierende des Grundstudiums werden bevorzugt. |
| Hörer-/innen |
Nein |
| Kontakt |
olivier.ruchet@doz.unilu.ch |
| Material |
Wird auf der Online-Plattform OLAT zur Verfügung gestellt. |