Fall/Winter Timetable

POL498H1S L0101

Graduate Course Code: POL2801H1S L0101

Intensive Course

Comparative Political Theory: Engaging South Asian Thought in an Era of Globalization

Themes

Why is it that ‘politics’ is routinely taught comparatively but ‘political theory’ is not? What is comparative political theory and why might we need it? Starting with these questions, this course will closely examine contemporary South Asian political theory—through readings of Bhikhu Parekh, Neera Chandhoke, Partha Chatterjee, Gayatri Spivak, Rajeev Bhargava, Ananda Abeysekara, and others—in relation, comparison and contrast to dominant traditions of Anglo-American and European political theory, as represented by John Rawls, Juergen Habermas, Slavoj Zizek, and others. We shall then press forward in our attempt toward a study of comparative political theory by briefly touching upon other established or emerging movements of contemporary political thought, including post-colonial African political theory, contemporary Chinese and east-Asian political theory, and the contemporary political philosophy of the Islamic world.

Texts

Course requirements
• Active participation in course discussions (15%)
• Presentation on a relevant subject (20%)
• Research essay (3000 words, not including notes and bibliography) (65%)

Course Details
This intensive course is open to 4th-year POL undergraduate students and to graduate students. This course counts as a half credit course and is comprised of eight (8) three-hour sessions as follows:

Format and Requirements

Schedule:
Monday, February 4, 2013, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Monday, February 11, 2013, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Monday, February 25, 2013, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Monday, March 4, 2013, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Monday, March 11, 2013, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Monday, March 18, 2013, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Monday, March 25, 2013, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Monday, April 1, 2013, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location: SK 114, Faculty of Social Work, 246 Bloor Street West.