Course: Critique of populism

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Course title Critique of populism
Course code KFHS/P524
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Seminary
Level of course Master
Year of study not specified
Semester Winter and summer
Number of ECTS credits 3
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Šimsa Martin, PhDr. Ph.D.
Course content
1) Preliminary definitions of criticism, populism and post-truth 2) The relationship between opinion and truth in the private and public spheres 3) Roots and constitutions of populism 4) People and populism 5) Arguments for populism 6) Arguments against populism 7) Corporate lies 8) Climate change, health care, debts, immigration, weapons, abortion, gay and lesbian marriage. 9) Opinion, truth and democracy 10) Theory of representation and distorted democracy 11) Non-political and political democracy 12) Critical reflection of populism theses 13) How should contemporary democracy deal with populism and post-truth?

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified, unspecified
Learning outcomes
Familiarity with the main statements, turns and arguments of populists and populism, and acquaintance with the theoretical works that analyze them, draw attention to their light, shadow and dark sides. Orientation both in the manipulative techniques of populists and in the professional literature that analyzes and interprets them.
The understanding of the concept of populism, people, post-truth and democracy. The capability of their interpretation and implementation into the broader philosophical, social and political context.
Prerequisites
1. None 2. Basic knowledge of English language

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
1) At least 70% participation in the seminar 2) Reading at least two publications on populism 3) paper in a seminar or seminar work 4) Colloquium
Recommended literature
  • Jan-Werner Müller. Co je to populismus?. Praha, 2017.
  • Milligan. Pravda v době populismu. Praha, 2019.
  • Nadia Urbinati. Znetvořená demokracie: Mínění, pravda a lid. Praha, 2018.
  • Rabin-Havt. Lies, Incorporated. The World of Post-Truth Politics. New York, Penguin, 2016.
  • Šimsa. Relativismus a (post)pravda v demokracii. Ústí nad Labem, 2018.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester