University of St Andrews

Key information

SCOTCAT credits : 30

ECTS credits : 15

Level : SCQF level 11

Semester: 2

Planned timetable: Fridays 10.00am – 12.00 noon

This module addresses a number of classical texts in western political thought on the themes of friendship and enmity. Its main aim is to alert students to the link between different notions of enmity and friendship on the one hand and different understanding of the political on the other hand. Relevant passages from Plato's Republic, Aristotle's Politics and Ethics, Machiavelli's Prince and Discourses, Hobbes' Leviathan and Behemoth, Kant's Perpetual Peace, Schmitt's Concept of the Political and The Crisis of Parliamentary Democracy and Derrida's Politics of Friendship will be analysed in some depth with the aim to single out their assumptions about human nature and to derive their implications for politics.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact: 2-hour seminar.

Assessment pattern

As used by St Andrews: Coursework = 100%

As defined by QAA
Written examinations : 0%
Practical examinations : 0%
Coursework: 0%

Personnel

Module coordinator: Dr B G Tsokov
Module teaching staff: Dr B Tsokov
Module coordinator email bt47@st-andrews.ac.uk