PA R T- T IME DEGR EE PROG RAM C A S JU ST ICE, DEM OCR ACY, AND GLOBAL AF FAIRS I N STITU TE OF PHILOSOPH Y / UNIVE RS IT Y OF BE RN ( SWITZERLAND) CAS Justice, Democracy, and Global Affairs
CAS Justice, Democracy, and Global Affairs We live in a world where international relations and interdependencies have intensified in such a way that questions of justice and democracy obviously cannot be addressed on a local or national level alone. However, it is unclear, if theoretical approaches to justice and democracy which have already been proven at the local or national level can easily be transferred to institutions or relations on the international or global level and which kind of modifications their application in those contexts might require. «Does justice mean that everyone is entitled to the same? What does the same mean in this case?» These questions and subject areas are in the focus of the new degree program CAS Justice, Democracy, and Global Affairs. This certified degree course in advanced studies is addressed at everyone interested in these topics and takes especially the concerns and interests of those into the focus, that are engaged in the advancement of justice or democracy in international and global contexts in their professional lives. «Is globalization a threat for democracy?» International cooperation calls for very diverse abilities. These include a reflection on the normative presuppositions of one's actions as well as the ability to evaluate and weigh rational arguments and to assess circumstances or conflicts from different points of view. Often one is confronted with complex questions, which require clear structuring of the beliefs, values and goals involved as well as their logical relations. Philosophy can provide support in questions of justification and decision-making in international cooperation and international development cooperation in particular.
Information on the degree program Objective The prime objective of this course is to develop the participants abilities to argue, form judgment and make well-founded decisions on the topics of Justice, Democracy, Cultural Identity and Human Rights with regard to international cooperation, and to enable them to develop well-founded positions on concrete ethical and political questions. The participants will be familiarized with philosophical positions, arguments and approaches. For that purpose, among other things, thematically relevant texts of both classical and (influential) contemporary authors will be discussed. The program also seeks to facilitate an active exchange of experiences between the (national and international) participants. The participants should become able to reflect on these questions and topics in a competent way and to gain confidence in their decisions and actions in situations that they are confronted with in their professional practice. «Are we obligated to all persons on earth in the same way we are obligated to our neighbors or compatriots?» Potential Participants The program is primarily addressed at persons concerned with the advancement of justice or democracy in international and global contexts in their professional, political or voluntary lives. These include particularly the staff of public administration, politicians, employees of non-government-organizations (NGO) and employees of international companies. But the program is addressed as well at private persons who are interested in the topic.
«Does a higher level of economic wealth for everyone justify greater inequalities?» Duration of Study The regular period of study for this degree course, in which 14 ECTS-points are acquired, is 6 months. The degree-course consists of 5 modules, each module comprising 4 days of classes and also (guided) self-study for the preparation and the evaluation of the classes. Modules may also be attended individually, without applying for the whole program. Location of Study The lessons will take place at the University of Bern. The class rooms are within minutes on foot or by bus from the railway station. Language of Instruction The language of instruction is English. Written work for the module examination may be in English or German. Admission Requirements Participants must have a graduate degree (university, ETH [Switzerland], university of applied sciences), at least 2 years of work experience in an area relevant to the subject matter and very good skills in English. However, applicants who do not meet one of these prerequisites can, under certain conditions, be admitted by a «sur dossier-procedure» (on a case by case basis). Lecturers In general, the modules will be conducted by lecturers in the Department of Philosophy of the University of Bern, who are experts in their fields. Some modules or module-parts will be conducted by renowned external experts.
Module Structure Module 1 Introduction to Central Concepts and Methods in Philosophy (2 ECTS-points) offers an introduction to methods, forms of argument and central concepts of philosophy, with specific attention to an analytical approach to philosophy. The emphasis will be on practical philosophy, thus on questions on ethical behavior and decision making. «What is the relation between justice, democracy, freedom and rights?» Module 2 Justice in a Global Context (3 ECTS-points) deals with the definition and implications of justice and the various forms of justice. The goal is to determine whether the respective approaches can or cannot be applied to global affairs. If so, it must be clarified in what respect and under what conditions justice can be legitimately demanded not only in a national but also in a global context. Module 3 Democracy and Legitimacy (3 ECTS-points) primarily examines the basic ideas of democracy, the rule of law, the division of powers and political legitimacy. In so doing, questions regarding the correlation between democracy and political legitimacy, as well as that between democracy, freedom and civil rights arise. Furthermore, it examines the conditions and possibilities of democratic participation and legitimacy in a context of increasing globalization, particularly of markets.
Module 4 Cultural Identity, Religion and Tolerance (3 ECTS-points) is concerned, on the one hand, with questions of the generaliz-ability of civil rights and the concept of democracy in the face of global cultural differences such as religions, traditions and values. Key questions pertain to the conditions and the limits of (liberal) tolerance in the face of non-democratic or non-liberal societies or cultures. On the other hand, the notion of a «culture» or a «cultural identity» has to be questioned critically. Module 5 Human Rights and the Rule of Law (3 ECTS-points) deals with the content of human rights, their legal status, their universal validity and their implementation under the rule of law. The discussion will also address the possibility of varying types of human rights, and if democracy is a human right or a precondition for human rights. Furthermore, the discussion will include the principle of the rule of law, the concept of the law of nations, and the legitimacy of humanitarian intervention will be treated in this context. «Are human rights universally valid, or are they relative to cultures?»
General information Projected Expansion It is planned to offer a further CAS-degree-course «Cooperation, Market, and Responsibility» subsequently, which together with the CAS described here can be accumulated to a DAS-degree-course (Diploma of Advanced Studies). Furthermore a MAS-degree-course (Master of Advanced Studies in Ethics and Global Affairs) is planned in the near future, which the CAS- and DAS-courses can form part of. Dates The program will start on November 20, 2015 and will end on May 31, 2016 (deadline for module examinations). Days of Classes Module 1: 20/21 November and 12/13 December 2015 Module 2: 15/16 January and 29/30 January 2016 Module 3: 12/13 February and 26/27 February 2016 Module 4: 11/12 March and 1/2 April 2016 Module 5: 15/16 April and 29/30 April 2016 Costs The fee for this CAS-program is 7800 Swiss Francs (incl. courseware and fees for certificate). It can be paid in two installments. The fees for a single module amount to 1750 Swiss Francs. Registration Admission to the program if admission standards are fulfilled is effected in accordance with the receipt of the application. The maximum number of participants is 25. Deadline for applications is October 15, 2015. Please submit the following documents by October 15, 2015 to Universität Bern, Institut für Philosophie, Unitobler, Länggassstrasse 49a, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland, or send them electronically (caroline.bolz@philo.unibe.ch): Signed registration form («Anmeldeformular Weiterbildung»), available at: http://www.philosophie.unibe.ch > Weiterbildung / Advanced Studies Short letter of motivation (in English or German) Curriculum vitae (in English or German) Copies of university degree(s) Contact/Information Dr. Wolf-Jürgen Cramm (Director of Studies) wolf-juergen.cramm@philo.unibe.ch Caroline Bolz (Secretariat) caroline.bolz@philo.unibe.ch
Universität Bern Institut für Philosophie Länggassstrasse 49a CH-3012 Bern Telefon + 41 31 631 80 55 www.philosophie.unibe.ch Bildnachweis: Nelson Kon