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, racial inequities, and questions of global governance and cosmopolitanism) 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

Achille Mbembe, Farah Godrej, Charles W. Mills, bell hooks, Christina Sharpe, Jose Vasconcelos, Gloria Anzaldúa, Deborah McGregor, Kang Youwei.

Format and Requirements

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

Prerequisites

POL200Y1 or ?POL200Y5 or (POLC70H3 and POLC71H3)