The Concept of Patriotism in Political Thought

Transcription

1 Syllabus The Concept of Patriotism in Political Thought Last update HU Credits: 4 Degree/Cycle: 2nd degree (Master) Responsible Department: political science Academic year: 0 Semester: Yearly Teaching Languages: Hebrew Campus: Mt. Scopus Course/Module Coordinator: Dr. Yiftah Elazar Coordinator yiftah.elazar@mail.huji.ac.il Coordinator Office Hours: Mondays 14:30-15:30 Room 4316 (Social Sciences) Teaching Staff: Dr. Yiftah Elazar page 1 / 5

2 Course/Module description: In this seminar we shall inquire: what is patriotism? Is it a moral obligation or a virtue, as some would have it? Or is it a moral mistake, as others have argued? If patriotism is not a mistake, when and under which circumstances would it be appropriate and desirable? In the first part of the seminar, we investigate the concept of patriotism as found in classical antiquity and Renaissance humanism. We discuss loyalty to the republic, to one's place of birth and to humanity; the meaning of civic excellence and education to citizenship; the relation between patriotism and the common good, sacrifice, war, and gender. In the second part, we examine the concept of patriotism in the age of enlightenment, in which it became a hotly debated topic. We discuss the tension that preoccupied contemporary authors between the classical ideal of good citizenship and commerce and wealth, social diversity and desire for peace. In the third part of the seminar, we examine patriotism in the age of nationalism and post-nationalism. We discuss the place of the nation in moral and political life; the relation between nationalism, cosmopolitanism and local patriotism; the moral justification of loyalty to a particular group; the status of apatrides and the right to a homeland; the designation of external and internal enemies; whether and in what circumstances social and political critique is patriotic or unpatriotic; and more. In the fourth part, we will discuss critiques of patriotic discourse. We will ask whether patriotism is a psychological and moral mistake, whether education should inculcate love of humankind instead of love of country, and what role patriotism fulfills in a deeply divided society such as Israeli society. Course/Module aims: To critically examine the concept of patriotism using a combination of historical and analytical methods To study key texts in the history of political thought and in contemporary political theory Learning outcomes - On successful completion of this module, students should be able to: To critically read texts in the history of political thought and in contemporary political theory To examine concepts and arguments using analytical tools To examine concepts and arguments in historical and ideological contexts To define research questions and construct an argument in political theory Attendance requirements(%): 85 page 2 / 5

3 Teaching arrangement and method of instruction: Required reading and preparation at home, discussion in class, student presentations in class Course/Module Content: What is a patria? birthplace, republic and cosmos What is civic virtue? Classical patriotism and modern commercial society Patriotism and the general will The patriot as an impartial spectator The patriot as social reformer The rights of women and patriotism Patriotism and cosmopolitanism Patriotism and nationalism Local Patriotism The Political enemy, external and internal The apatrides The ethics of group loyalty Constitutional patriotism Patriotism as a psychological and moral mistake Patriotism in a divided society Between patriotism and betrayal Required Reading: Cicero, On the Laws קיקרו, על החובות כסנופון, מדינת הספרטנים מקיאוולי, הנסיך מקיאוולי, דיונים מונטסקייה, על רוח החוקים Rousseau, A Discourse on Political Economy רוסו, האמנה החברתית Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments Richard Price, A Discourse on the Love of Our Country מרי וולסטונקרפט, הגנה על זכויות האשה עמנואל קאנט, על השלום הנצחי Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Addresses to the German Nation Giuseppe Mazzini, Three Essays on Cosmopolitan Ideals and National Sentiment אלקסיס דה-טוקוויל, הדמוקרטיה באמריקה Carl Schmitt, The Concept of the Political חנה ארנדט, שקיעתה של מדינת האומה וקץ זכויות האדם Alasdair MacIntyre, Is Patriotism a Virtue? page 3 / 5

4 Robert E. Goodin, What is So Special About Our Fellow Countrymen? Jrgen Habermas, Citizenship and National Identity Maurizio Viroli, For Love of Country George Kateb, Is Patriotism a Mistake? :ומדינה עם,מולדת בין,מאל'ג אמלCosmopolitanism Martha.C Nussbaum, Patriotism and פטריוטיזם בקרב המיעוט הפלסטיני בישראל Additional Reading Material: Mary Dietz, Patriotism, in Terence Ball, James Farr, and Russell L. Hanson (eds), Political Innovation and Conceptual Change (1989) Maurizio Viroli, For Love of Country: An Essay on Patriotism and Nationalism (1996) Igor Primoratz (ed.), Patriotism (Humanity Books, 2002) Martha Nussbaum (ed.), For Love of Country אבנר בן-עמוס ודניאל בר-טל (עורכים), פטריוטיזם: אוהבים אותך מולדת (קו אדום, הוצאת הקיבוץ המאוחד, 2004) Course/Module evaluation: End of year written/oral examination 0 % Presentation 50 % Participation in Tutorials 0 % Project work 0 % Assignments 0 % Reports 0 % Research project 50 % Quizzes 0 % Other 0 % Additional information: Details in online course system and in syllabus are subject to change. Requirements: Attendance and participation. Up to four classes overall may be missed without documentation or penalty. Presentations. Each student will present one secondary text in class and submit a written summary of the presentation (2-4 pages) according to given instructions. Contribution to course grade: 50%. Students taking this course as a regular class: 3. Take-home exam. Contribution to course grade: 50%. page 4 / 5

5 Powered by TCPDF ( Students taking this course as a seminar: 4. Research proposal (3-4 pages). Contribution to course grade: 50%. 5. Research paper (25-30 pages). Deadline: September 30, Contribution to separate seminar paper grade: %100. page 5 / 5