95980 - GLOBALIZATION, DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

Globalization is a complex phenomenon that has had a defining impact on the space and timing of politics, as well as on the meaning of the most important Western political concepts, their mutual relationships and the related practices, and that requires to be critically investigated. In this light, the course aims at discussing the political impact of globalization by paying particular attention to the ways in which democracy and human rights have been both globally affirmed, significantly resignified and exposed to new forms of violation. By the end of the course, the student: knows the main theoretical approaches to globalization, its historical roots and impact in political terms; is capable of contextualizing the historical dynamics that have led to the resignification of some crucial political concepts – from democracy and human rights, to sovereignty, security, identity, and equality–, as well as to the emergence of new keywords (governance, vulnerability, risk) and new forms of subjectivation (e.g., ‘global children’); is capable of critically assessing the ways in which those concepts are used in the political discourse.

Contenuti

The course aims at critically analyzing the political implications of globalization and, in particular, the ways in which this complex phenomenon has produced the rearticulation of contemporary political lexicon and practices.

Starting from the analysis of the most important interpretations of the political impact of globalization, the first part of the course is dedicated to the critical scrutiny of the effects globalization has had on the use and content of some of the most important Western political concepts (e.g., State, sovereignty, citizenship, security, human rights, identity, equality), as well as on their mutual relationships and related practices. Particular attention will be given to the analysis of the impact the phenomenon of globalization has had on the conception of the space and time of politics as well as to the recent debate on the 'end of globalisation'.

The second part of the course focuses on the critical analysis of some of the new keywords of the global political lexicon. The keywords that will be studied in their new (or renewed) content and mutual relationships in this academic year are: "human rights/democracy" and "vulnerability/resilience".

 

Testi/Bibliografia

Students who attend class

The bibliography for students who attend classes is composed of the books, chapters and essays listed under letter A and B.

The materials listed under letter B will be the object of class discussions and could be slightly amended or supplemented with additional references, provided by the instructor at the beginning of the class, depending on the size of the class and thus on the discussion methods that will be adopted (see Teaching methods section).

The specific sections within the materials under letter A and B to be prepared for class discussions and the final exam will be indicated at the beginning of the class.

A. First part

 D. Held and A. McGrew (ed. By), The Global Transformations Reader. An Introduction to the Globalizatio Debate, Polity, 2004 (selected chapters).

B. Second part

a) Human Rights/Democracy

1. T. Evans, The Politics of Human Rights. A global perspective, 2ndedition, Pluto Press, 2005.
2. S. Benhabib, The Rights of Others. Aliens, Residents, and Citizens, Cambridge University Press, 2004.
3. M. Langford, Critiques of Human Rights, Annu. Rev. Law Soc. Sci. 14, 2018, pp. 69–89.
4. C. Crouch, Postdemocracy, Polity, 2004.
   

b) Vulnerability/ resilience

1. J. Tronto, “Care as the Work of Citizens: A Modest Proposal”, inWomen and Citizenship, edited by M. Friedman, Oxford University Press, 2005, 130-145.
2. M. Duffield, ‘How Did We Become Unprepared? Emergency and Resilience in an Uncertain World’, British Academy Review, 21, 2013, pp. 55–58.
3. M. A. Fineman, Vulnerability and Inevitable Inequality, in “Oslo Law Review”, 3, 2017, pp. 124-32.
4. M. A. Fineman, Vulnerability and Social Justice, in “Valparaiso University Law Review”, 53, 2, 2019, pp. 341-70.

Students who do not attend class

The bibliography for students who do not attend classes is partially different from that to be prepared by those who do. For this reason, they are kindly requested to contact the instructor in due time and at least once before the exam to receive information on the dedicated bibliography.

Metodi didattici

The course will be articulated into both lectures and class discussions.

Lectures will include readings of texts, seminars by external experts, projection of materials and documentaries.

The methodology adopted for class discussions (group discussion, whole class discussion, presentations, Q&A) will be defined at the beginning of the course taking into consideration the size of the class. Students are required to carefully read the assigned material before class discussions and to actively take part in them.

The aim of the teaching methodology adopted by the course is to activate the informed critical discussion of topics among students and to facilitate the interaction and exchange between the instructor and the students.

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

Students who have attended class

The assessment of the acquisition of expected knowledge and abilities by the attending students is based on the following two components: 1. Research paper and 2. (optional) oral exam.

The research paper will be prepared by attending students after the end of the class, it will concern a topic agreed with the professor and it will be based on a format provided at the beginning of the course. Students will need to submit the paper at least two-weeks before the exam.

Attending students who receive an insufficient evaluation for the research paper will undergo an oral exam on the entire syllabus after the end of the class.

The (optional) oral exam will take place after the end of the class and will consist of four/five questions aimed at assessing the student’s level of knowledge of some of the most important topics addressed by the course, as well as her/his ability to critically analyse and verbally articulate them.

The final evaluation will be the weighted average of the evaluation of the research paper (and of the possible oral exam).

 

Students who have not attended class

Students who have not attended class will undergo an oral exam on a dedicated syllabus. For this reason, they are kindly requested to contact the instructor in due time and at least once before the exam.

The oral exam will consist of four/five questions aimed at assessing the students' level of knowledge of the bibliography and of the topics addressed by the course, as well as their ability to critically analyse and verbally articulate them.

The ability of the student to achieve a coherent and comprehensive understanding of the topics addressed by the course, to critically assess them and to use an appropriate language will be evaluated with the highest grades (A = 27-30 con lode).

A predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the course's contents together with gaps and deficienciesin terms of language, critical and/or logical skills will result in grades ranging from good (B = 24-26) to satisfactory (C = 21-23).

A low level of knowledge of the course’s contents together with gaps and deficienciesin terms of language, critical and/or logical skills will be considered as ‘barely passing' (D = 18-20) or result in a fail grading (E).

 

 

 

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

Lectures and class discussions will be held with the support of audio-visual tools (ppt, web, short documentaries).

Students with a form of disability or specific learning disabilities (DSA) who are requesting academic adjustments or compensatory tools are invited to communicate their needs to the teaching staff in order to properly address them and agree on the appropriate measures with the competent bodies.

 

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Annalisa Furia