Populism and the Struggle for Recognition
Course content
In recent years, we have seen a rise in populist parties and governments around the world. Sociologists and political scientists have explained the rise of populism in terms of widespread feelings of loss of status and resentment at the disrespect displayed by the political and cultural elite. In this course, we will discuss how and to what extent populism can be seen as part of a struggle for recognition. The course will study different kinds of demand for recognition and discuss their relationship to and effect on democratic norms and practice. Thus, the course offers the tools for a conceptual and normative analysis of the moral and democratic aspects of current struggles for respect, esteem, and status. Our aim is to attain a better understanding of both populist democracy and liberal democracy. Hence, will also discuss the populist claim for recognition in relation to democratic principles, institutions, and practices such as rights, majority rule, compromise, deliberation, and constitutionalism.
The course is based on a combination of empirical, theoretical, and normative studies of populism, democracy, and recognition. The approach of the instructor is solidly based in political theory and philosophy.
Full-degree students enrolled at the Department of Political Science, UCPH
- MSc in Political Science
- MSc in Social Science
- MSc in Security Risk Management
- Bachelor in Political Science
Full-degree students enrolled at the Faculty of Social Science, UCPH
- Master Programme in Social Data Science
- Bachelor and Master Programmes in Psychology
- Master programme in Global Development
The course is open to:
- Exchange and Guest students from abroad
- Credit students from Danish Universities
- Open University students
Viden:
- Understanding different meanings of recognition
- Understanding populism and its relation to recognition
- Understanding the relation between democracy and equal respect
Færdigheder:
- Analyze populism and democracy with philosophical concepts
- Combine and synthesize insights from sociology, philosophy, and political theory
- Evaluate different form of struggles in light of democratic norms
Kompetencer:
- Critical thinking across different traditions and styles of argumentation.
- Writing and presentation in a concise and clear manner.
- Ability to develop a coherent argument.
This course will consist of a combination of short lectures, group work, and classroom discussions.
We will read works on populism, democracy, recognition, and respect by a number of philosophers, political theorists, sociologists, and political scientists, including Rousseau, Kant, Axel Honneth, Jan-Werner Müller, Cas Mudde, P.F. Strawson, Stephen Darwall, Arlie Hochschild, Nadia Urbinati, Chantal Mouffe, Ernesto Laclau, and Christian F. Rostbøll
Total number of pages: approx. 1000
The course presupposes a strong interest in political theory and philosophy as well as how they can be used to analyze contemporary politics.
When registered you will be signed up for exam.
- Full-degree students – sign up at Selfservice on KUnet
- Exchange and guest students from abroad – sign up through Mobility Online and Selfservice
- Credit students from Danish universities - sign up through this website.
- Open University students - sign up through this website.
The dates for the exams are found here Exams – Faculty of Social Sciences - University of Copenhagen (ku.dk)
Please note that it is your own responsibility to check for overlapping exam dates.
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
-
Written examination
- Type of assessment details
- Free written assignment
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
- Re-exam
-
In the semester where the course takes place: Free written assignment
- In subsequent semesters: Free written assignment
Criteria for exam assessment
Grade 12 is given for an outstanding performance: the student lives up to the course's goal description in an independent and convincing manner with no or few and minor shortcomings
Grade 7 is given for a good performance: the student is confidently able to live up to the goal description, albeit with several shortcomings
Grade 02 is given for an adequate performance: the minimum acceptable performance in which the student is only able to live up to the goal description in an insecure and incomplete manner
Single subject courses (day)
- Category
- Hours
- Class Instruction
- 28
- English
- 28
Kursusinformation
- Language
- English
- Course number
- ASTK18381U
- ECTS
- 7,5 ECTS
- Programme level
- Full Degree Master
Bachelor
- Duration
-
1 semester
- Placement
- Spring
- Price
-
http://polsci.ku.dk/uddannelser/eftervidereuddannelse/aabent_universitet/
- Studyboard
- Department of Political Science, Study Council
Contracting department
- Department of Political Science
- Department of Anthropology
- Department of Psychology
- Social Data Science
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Social Sciences
Course Coordinator
- Christian F. Rostbøll (2-6a7947706d7a35727c356b72)
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