Module

Voraussetzungen

Inhalte

The module gives an overview of the development, critique and application of concepts of social criticism and social transformation. We will discuss the formation of key concepts and ideas such as “progress”, “emancipation”, “reform” and “revolution” in the Age of Enlightenment as well as their appropriation and subsequent critique in theoretical movements such as Critical Theory, Postmodernism and Postcolonialism. The module will then focus on contemporary ideas of social criticism and social change in Critical Theory, Radical Democratic Theory, Political Epistemology, Feminist Philosophy, Abolitionism and (possibly) other strands of the current theory landscape. We will explore how the approaches discussed may serve as building blocks for a theory of the transformation of contemporary societies in light of current economic and ecological crises and/or for the description of current blockades and impediments for such a transformation. Additionally, we will ask how the concepts discussed relate to conceptions of transformation in sociology and transformation science.

Lernziele

• Students are familiar with historical discourses as well as theoretical concepts on social change, social criticism and social transformation in Political Theory and Social Philosophy including perspectives from Critical Theory, Radical Democratic Theory, Political Epistemology and Political Philosophy. • Students can apply these concepts in their own research and are able to use these concepts to analyse real-life examples. • Students are able to understand and critically examine ‘classical’ as well as contemporary texts. • Students can articulate and present their own perspective on course contents in an academically adequate and sound manner. • Students are able to write academically and are capable to orally present their ideas convincingly in an academic context.

Prüfungsleistung

• One oral presentation (10 to 15 minutes) (10%) • Three writing assignments (750 to 1500 words per assignment) (30%) • A final essay (5000 to 10000 words) (60%)