This module is not currently running in 2021 to 2022.
This module will address the relationship between theories and practices of resistance from the perspective of theory. As such, it will focus on specific ideas and models that conceptualise and theorise resistance to political authority with a view to examining the following: the philosophical and political bases of resistance; the presuppositions that underpin theories of resistance; the appeal to alternative ideas and arrangements; the tensions and possible contradictions that characterise such theories.
There are two dimensions to this module. First of all, the theme of resistance will be explored in the history of political ideas, from Plato via patristic, medieval and modern thinkers to contemporary writings such as those of Alain Badiou. Secondly, the theme of resistance will be related to different conceptions of the political and rival accounts of alternative arrangements to the prevailing order. As such, this module provides a strong grounding in theories of resistance that prepares students for the second core module on practices of resistance.
11 two hour lecture/seminars
100% coursework (1500 word critical review (of two articles or one book, chosen by each student) (20%), 4000 word research essay (80%))
Augustine, The City of God against the Pagans, trans. Robert Dyson (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998)
Badiou, Alain, Being and Event, trans. Oliver Feltham (London: Continuum, 2007)
Hegel, G.W.F., Elements of the Philosophy of Right, trans. Alan Wood (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1992)
Hobbes, Thomas, Leviathan, ed. and trans. Richard Tuck and Michael Silverthorne (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998)
Locke, John, Two Treatises of Government, ed. Peter Laslett (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997)
Marx, Karl, Selected Writings, ed. David McLellan, revised ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000)
Plato, The Republic, in The Dialogues of Plato, trans. B. Jowett (New York: Random House, 1937), Vol. I, pp. 589-879.
Rousseau, Jean-Jacques, The Basic Political Writings, trans. Donald A. Cress (Indianapolis: Hackett, 1987)
See the library reading list for this module (Canterbury)
On successfully completing the module students will be able to:
1. Critically reflect upon the relationship between political theory and concepts of art and of resistance
2. Articulate the theoretical and conceptual foundations of the relationship between art, politics and social and political resistance
3. Analyse the relationship between theories of art, of resistance and different accounts of the political
4. Critically explore the relationship between critiques, theories of art and of resistance, as well as alternative social and political models
5. Conceive and execute a theoretically well informed and clearly articulated assessment of a theory or theories of art and of resistance
6. Conduct conceptually informed research on the interaction between theory & practice, art & resistance, politics & art and politics & resistance.
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