Universität Wien
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210130 SE BAK16 Culture and Politics (2023S)

Utopian designs in politics and science About the function of and the reaction to utopian, political-theoretical and consciousness-raising writings

6.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 21 - Politikwissenschaft
Continuous assessment of course work

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Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 50 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

  • Wednesday 08.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 15.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 22.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 29.03. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 19.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 26.04. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 03.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 10.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 17.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 24.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 31.05. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 07.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 14.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 21.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8
  • Wednesday 28.06. 15:00 - 16:30 Hörsaal 41 Gerda-Lerner Hauptgebäude, 1.Stock, Stiege 8

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This seminar focuses on the significance of utopias and dystopias for questions in political science. Utopias, understood as images and conceptions of a different political system, as an important instrument of self-reflection and reflection on others. Even if the word utopia implies non-realizability, utopias are nevertheless an important component of political thinking - the imagination of "what could be" means the preoccupation with and the imagined changeability of political conditions.
The fusion of (new) political consciousness and criticism of existing conditions is particularly evident in utopian works, in which a "new human being" with an education adapted to the respective state system, who leads a good life in a "perfect community," is very often imagined. The example of utopias and dystopias also shows that, in addition to dedicated political pamphlets and theoretical works, fictional works and the arts also have political relevance insofar as they criticize current political circumstances.
The contents of the seminar will also be related to current debates around alternative conceptions of a state system.
The seminar is roughly divided into the following topics:
- Scientific-theoretical and political science approaches to utopias
- Utopian thinking and imagination as a means of political vigilance
- Conveying the fundamental changes society has undergone since and through the invention of printing as well as numerous technical and scientific innovations since the early modern period
- Illumination of the political component of education and the genesis of the concept of education in the course of the last centuries.
- Conveying the importance of literary products, reading and (self-) education
- Utopian and dystopian literature embedded in the respective historical and ideological background of development

Assessment and permitted materials

Oral and written partial performances. Maximum of 2 absences. Students who are absent from the first session without a valid excuse will be removed from the list of participants and those on the waiting list may be moved up in order.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Willingness to debate and interest in engaged discussion, reading of texts, independent research, presentations, and seminar work are prerequisites.

Examination topics

Students must fulfill the following sub-credentials:
- Collaboration
- text summaries for individual book chapters or articles
- various assignments for the weekly units
- Reading of a book and submission of a creative reading reflection
- A written final paper (word count to be discussed in seminar) with a multiple (peer) feedback loop
Each sub-assignment must be completed in order to successfully complete the seminar.

Reading list

Excerpt:
Thomas More "Utopia"
Louis Sébastien Mercier "The Year 2440
Ernst Bloch "Anticipated Reality" and "Spirit of Utopia
Theodor W. Adorno "Negative Dialectics"
Oscar Wilde "The Soul of Man under Socialism"
A detailed bibliography will be handed out in the course.

Association in the course directory

Last modified: Tu 14.03.2023 12:09