CORE014 A Story of Freedom and Democracy

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2021
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Taught in person.
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Stanislav Balík, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Stanislav Balík, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 14:00–15:40 U33
Prerequisites
The course is intended for students of Bachelor programs of all faculties of Masaryk University.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is offered to students of any study field.
The capacity limit for the course is 200 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 4/200, only registered: 0/200, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/200
Course objectives
The goal of the course is to introduce students to the fascinating evolution of the story of freedom and democracy since the beginning of Western civilisation. Crucial historical milestones will be explored (ancient Greece; English, French and American revolution; democratic and anti-democratic waves), as well as classic theories and typologies of democracy. Its focus will be also on anthropological and religious links between freedom and democracy as well as their enemies.
Learning outcomes
Course graduate:
— will be able to orientate in the historical development of democracy and freedom in the world and in the Czech lands,
— will understand the basic types and models of democracy,
— will be able to analyse the motivations of the enemies of freedom and democracy
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction to the course, key concepts
  • 2. Ancient Drama and Philosophy
  • 3. Ancient Greece – specific polis
  • 4. Medieval Interlude
  • 5. Great Britain and its „revolution“
  • 6. American revolution
  • 7. French revolution
  • 8. Expansion of freedom an democracy through the world
  • 9. Types of democracy – Westminster, Consociational, Participatory democracy etc.
  • 10. Anthropology of Freedom and Democracy
  • 11. World Religions, Freedom and Democracy
  • 12. Enemies of Freedom and Democracy
  • 13. Résumé
Literature
    required literature
  • DAHL, Robert A. O demokracii : průvodce pro občany. Translated by Jiří Foltýn. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2001, 191 s. ISBN 8071784222. info
  • Demokracie : teorie, modely, osobnosti, podmínky, nepřátelé a perspektivy demokracie (Czechs on Abroad1850-1938). Edited by Vít Hloušek - Lubomír Kopeček. 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita, Mezinárodní politologický ústav, 2003, 375 s. ISBN 9788021031951. info
  • MALIA, Martin E. Lokomotivy dějin : revoluce a utváření moderního světa. Translated by Marek Pavka. 1. vydání. Brno: CDK (Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury), 2009, 427 stran. ISBN 9788073251949. info
  • NEMO, Philippe. Co je Západ? Translated by Petr Horák. 1. vydání. Brno: Centrum pro studium demokracie a kultury, 2011, 135 stran. ISBN 9788073252434. info
  • ZAKARIA, Fareed. Budoucnost svobody. Translated by Jaroslav Veis. Vyd. 1. Praha: Academia, 2004, 349 s. ISBN 8020012850. info
Teaching methods
- lectures
- self-study
- writing reviews
Assessment methods
- review of one of the books on the list - final written exam - you may obtain 40 points which will be divided as follows: (1.) review - maximum 10 points (it is necessary to get at least 6 points; one correction is possible); (2.) participation in lectures - maximum 10 points (for each participation 1 point); (3.) final exam - maximum 20 points (it is necessary to obtain at least 12 points). - Overall rating: P (40-24 points), N (23-0 points).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2022, Autumn 2023.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2021, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2021/CORE014