What Is the Political?

From classical philosophy to contemporary conversation, politics is often assumed to be an extension of morality, an application of principles, or an obvious fact of identity or social position. But what makes something specifically political? Is there something about “the political” that distinguishes it from any number of related areas of inquiry such as economics, morality, or even aesthetics? In this class we’ll explore these questions and what constitutes the political and politics through reading a range of political theorists, from the early modern period to the current day, while thinking through specific issues, situations, and scenarios from the authors’ historical contexts and current dilemmas. Readings will include selections from Machiavelli, Carl Schmitt, Antonio Gramsci, Lenin, Franz Neumann, Stuart Hall, Chantal Mouffe, and Audre Lorde, among others.

Course Schedule

Thursday, 6:30-9:30pm
January 31 — February 21, 2019
4 weeks

$315.00

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What Is the Political? quantity

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