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Course: 2025/2026

Political theory and problems contemporary

(14090)

Bachelor in Political Science (Study Plan 2018) (Plan: 396 - Estudio: 205)

Coordinating teacher: SANCHEZ-CUENCA RODRIGUEZ, IGNACIO

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory

ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course: 2º

Semester: 1º

Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)

Although it is advisable to have taken the course Political Theory and Traditions of Thought, it is not essential.

Objectives

The Political Theory and Contemporary Problems course aims to deepen the understanding of post-revolutionary political theories and their connection to the ideologies of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Upon completion, students are expected to understand the impact of ideologies on current political processes, distinguish the main ideologies of the contemporary Western world, and acquire theoretical tools to analyze political phenomena. Students are also expected to relate ideologies to political proposals to address problems such as multiculturalism, immigration, nationalism, equality, and the ecological crisis, developing reasoning and argumentation skills.

Learning Outcomes

K1: Acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and techniques of the discipline of political science, using the appropriate terminology and the appropriate scientific method K2: To know the principles and values of democracy and sustainable development, in particular, respect for human rights and fundamental rights, gender equality and non-discrimination, the principles of universal accessibility and climate change. K6: To know the main currents of political philosophy, the main contemporary political theories and ideologies and those linked to current political movements C2: Identify, understand and know how to use the main theoretical and conceptual approaches and frameworks of the different areas of specialization and subdisciplines of political science S1: Be able to debate and formulate critical reasoning, using precise terminology and specialized resources, on political phenomena

Description of contents: programme

. REPUBLICANISM · Origin and development · Approaches: History of political ideas and normative political theory · Republicanism and neo-republicanism · Central topics Republicanism and democracy CSV: 802935159344271907643473 - Verifiable at https://sede.educacion.gob.es/cid and Citizen Folder https://sede.administracion.gob.es 2. COMMUNITARIANISM · Origin and development · Central topics · Identity · The good life and community · The communitarian critique of liberalism: asocial individualism, universalism, neutrality 3. MULTICULTURALISM · Origin and development · Central topics · Liberal multiculturalism and communitarian multiculturalism · Cultural diversity and the welfare state: redistribution or Recognition · Diverse Societies, Identity Politics, and Multiculturalism · Multiculturalism, Nationalism, and Federalism 4. FEMINISM · Origin and Development · Central Topics · Liberal Feminism. Socialist Feminism. Radical Feminism · Political Theory and Gender · Thinking about Politics from the Perspective of Feminism · From Rights-Based Feminism to Feminine Difference · Feminism's Contribution to Contemporary Political Thought 5. ECOLOGISM · Origin and Development · Central Topics · Environmentalism and Ecopacifism · Environmentalism and Socialism · Political Theory and Green Thought · Social and Political Implications of Sustainability · Local and Global Commons

Learning activities and methodology

The course includes both plenary lectures and practical sessions A main aim of the course is to get students involved in the learning process, offering the basic tools in order to reasoning and debating the topics and readings of the subject program Students will be encouraged to compare the different ideologies and authors presented throughout the plenary lectures.

Assessment System

% end-of-term-examination/test 40
% of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 60

Calendar of Continuous assessment

The student will take an exam that allows the teacher to assess their knowledge on the subject's syllabus (including compulsory readings), as well as their capacity for analysis and argumentation. This exam constitutes 40% of the final grade. This exam can be one at the end of the course or divided into several parts. To pass the subject it is mandatory to pass the exam. The exam may be in the form of a test and, in addition, in the event that the exam is carried out online, an oral exam may be accompanied to verify the knowledge expressed therein.

The continuous evaluation will consist of evaluation exercises that will be distributed throughout the semester based on the readings that will serve for the development of the practical classes.

The evaluation in the extraordinary call will be the same as in the ordinary call, that is to say, an exam with the same format and covering the same contents.

Extraordinary call: regulations

Basic Bibliography

Alasdair McIntyre. After virtue. Bloomsbury. 2020
Alicia Miyares. Delirio y misoginia trans. Catarata. 2022
Antón Mellón, J. (ed.) (1998),. Ideologías y movimientos políticos contemporáneos,. Tecnos, Madrid..
Avineri, S. y de-Shalit, A. (eds.) (1992), Communitarism and Individualism, Oxford, Oxford University Press.. .. .. .
Barret, M. (1991), Women¿s Oppression Today: Problems in Marxist Feminist Analysis, London, Verso.. .. .. .
Dobson, A. (1999), «Ecologism», en Eatwell, R. y Wright, A., Contemporary Political Ideologies, London, Routledge.. .. .. .
Dobson, A. y Eckersley, R. (2006), Political Theory and the Ecological Challenge,. .. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press..
Eatwell, R. y Wright, A. (1999), Contemporary Political Ideologies, London, Routledge.. .. .. .
Etzioni, A. (1993), The Spirit of Community: Rights, Responsabilities and the Communitarian Agenda, Fontana Press.. .. .. .
Fraser, N. y Honneth, A. (2003), Redistribution or Recognition? A political-philosophical Exchange, London, Verso.. .. .. .
Gibbins, R. y Loleen, Y. (1996), Mindscapes, Political Ideologies Towards the 21st Century, McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, Canada.. .. .. .
Judith Butler. El género en disputa. Paidos. 2007
Kukathas, C. (2004), «Nationalism and Multiculturalism», en G.F. Gaus y C. Kukathas (eds.), Handbook of Political Theory, SAGE Publications.. .. .. .
Kymlicka, W. (2007). Multicultural Odysseys,. Oxford, Oxford University.
Michael Sandel. Justicia ¿Hacemos lo que debemos?. ¿DEBOLSILLO. 2012
Michael Sandel. Lo que el dinero no puede comprar: Los límites morales del mercado. Debolsillo. 2021
Michael Sandel. La tiranía del mérito. Debolsillo. 2023
Mouffe, C. (1992), «Feminism, Citizenship and Radical Democratic Politics», en J. Butler y J. Scott (eds.), Feminists Theorize the Political,. .. New York & London, Routledge..
Máiz, R. y Requejo, F. (eds.), (2005), Democracy, Nationalism and Multiculturalism, London, Frank Cass.. .. .. .
Nadeau, C. y D. Weinstock (dir.) (2004), Republicanism. History, Theory and Practice, London, Frank Cass.. .. .. .
Pateman, C. (1987), «Feminist Critiques of the Public/Private Dichotomy», en Anne Phillips (ed.), Feminism and Equality,. .. New York, Blackwell & New York University Press..
Richard M. Weaver. Las ideas tienen consecuencias. Buey Mudo. 2011
Robert Redeker. Los centinelas de la humanidad. Homo Legens. 2020
Sargent, L. (1996),. Contemporary Political Ideologies: A Comparative Analysis,. New York, ITP..
Stéphanie Roza. La Gauche contre les lumières?. Fayard. 2020
Walzer, M. (1990),. «The Communitarian Critique of Liberalism»,. en Political Theory, núm. 18, vol. 1, pp. 6-23..

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.