POL381H1S L0101

Topics in Political Theory

Global Politics and Global Political Thought

Themes

As we seek to understand political dynamics across the globe, theory from the Western canon is not the only relevant or useful resource. This course will examine pressing contemporary issues (including environmental crisis, ongoing colonization, the effects of nationalism, radical violence and the continued exclusion of vulnerable groups from political participation and consideration) through the theoretical and analytical lenses provided by political thought of other cultural traditions and from particular identity perspectives. In doing so, we will consider the productive outputs and potential limitations of theoretical communication across cultures, discussing whether the emergence of a global political thought is possible or desirable.

Texts

Farah Godrej, Jose Vasconcelos, Juliet Hooker, Sayyid Qutb, Michelle Browers, Deborah McGregor, Franz Fanon, Amina Wadud, Charles W. Mills, Houria Bouteldja.

Format and Requirements

Response papers, in-class writing, short essays, final exam.

Prerequisites

POL200Y1 or POL200Y5 or (POLC70H3 and POLC71H3)