Understanding Liberalism and Its Critics

How can we understand liberalism in a time when it is often presented as questioned and what is the main criticism directed at it?

This course provides you with an understanding of liberalism and some of its most prominent critics. In the first part of the course, some of the liberal tradition's most important theorists are examined. In the second part of the course, you are introduced to a number of critics of the political, economic and social dimensions of liberalism. The course covers both domestic and global dimensions of the liberal project.

What does the course lead to?

Ultimately, at a time when it is common to proclaim both the dominance and the crisis of liberalism, the course provides you with a deeper understanding of the assumptions underlying some of the most pressing contemporary political debates.

Structure of the course

The course is structured around lectures, compulsory seminars, an individual written assignment in the form of a take-home examination. The compulsory seminars are the most important part of the course and active student participation is expected. Seminar questions will be distributed in advance to help you identify and reflect on the central issues in the readings and to stimulate discussion during the seminars.