Fall/Winter Timetable
POL446H1F L0101
Graduate Course Code: POL2007H1F L0101
20th-Century Political Thought
Themes
According to Max Horkheimer, the distinguishing characteristic of critical theory is its emphasis on human emancipation. This course provides an overview of some of the key works in critical theory. We will read classic texts associated with the Frankfurt school (Benjamin, Adorno, Horkheimer) as well as more contemporary theorists influenced by this approach (Habermas, Honneth, Fraser). We will discuss the following topics: the relationship between history, social science and normative theory; the critical potential of popular culture and aesthetics; and the legacy of Marxism.
Format and Requirements
Students will be required to write five seminar papers analyzing the required readings. This course is primarily discussion oriented but the instructor will provide a general introduction to each of the major thinkers on the syllabus.
Prerequisites
POL200Y1 or POL200Y5 or (POLC70H3 & POLC71H3)
Exclusions
January 29, 2024
The winners of the 2022-2023 undergraduate awards were announced at the annual celebration, held this year on the evening of January 25. Presiding over the award ceremony were Undergraduate Director...
January 26, 2023
Congratulations to our 2021/22 undergraduate award & scholarship recipients! Following a two-year hiatus, the department was delighted to return to hosting our undergraduate awards in-person this year to celebrate our...
June 3, 2021
In a bid to motivate her students in what has been a very difficult academic year, Professor Rebecca Kingston decided to give those enrolled in the winter 2021 term of...
May 21, 2020
Congratulations to undergraduate student Cheryl Cheung who has received a University of Toronto Excellence Award (UTEA). Going into her third year majoring in political science, with minors in visual studies...
January 29, 2020
Congratulations to all our amazing undergraduate students who picked up one the department’s twenty-three awards and scholarships at our annual undergraduate awards ceremony. In attendance were Dean of Arts &...