Philosophy

Deliberative Democracy and Beyond: Iris Marion’s Young “Deep Democracy” The course, conducted in English and structured as a seminar, will commence by addressing the question: what is deliberative democracy? Moreover, it will explore how deliberative democracy differs from the democracy we are familiar with, and how the latter can be enhanced to be more participatory and inclusive through deliberative processes. To shed light on these issues, we will examine, at first, the comprehensive overview of deliberative democracy outlined by O’Flynn in the book Deliberative Democracy, which delineates the main approaches to democratic deliberation. Subsequently, we will consider one of the most well-known and influential works in the field, Inclusion and Democracy by Iris Marion Young. In this book, Young advocates for a theory of “deep democracy” aimed at transcending the limitations of contemporary democracies through a deliberative perspective, while also exploring its practical applications across various political and social contexts, including everyday scenarios. Additionally, we will analyze and debate Young’s stance on the interplay between deliberation and activism. The course will be organized in seminar format, with students presenting 30-minute reports on assigned parts of the program, followed by general discussion. Further details on the organization of the course are provided below.

A knowledge corresponding to the level of the bachelor’s degree in philosophy is required.

1. O’ Flynn, Deliberative Democracy, Polity Press, 2021. 2. Iris Marion Young, Inclusion and Democracy, Oxford University Press, 2000 (introduction, chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 7). 3. Iris Marion Young, Activist Challenges to Deliberative Democracy, «Political Theory» 29 (2001), n. 5, pp. 670-690. 4. Robert B. Talisse, Deliberativist Responses to Activist Challenges: A Continuation of Young’s Dialectic, «Philosophy & Social Criticism», 31 (2005), n. 4, pp. 423-444. 5. Archon Fung, Deliberation Before the Revolution: Toward an Ethics of Deliberative Democracy in an Unjust World, «Political Theory», 33 (2005), n. 3, pp. 397-419.

Attending the course is highly recommended. Giving one’s oral presentation during the class seminar is mandatory.

The final exam will consist of an essay (in English) of a minimum length of 15,000 characters that students are required to email to the professor at least two weeks before their chosen roll call. On the day of the roll call, students may also have a brief oral discussion of their essay, but this is optional. The oral discussion is not mandatory. Delays in the submission of the essay will result in the postponement to the subsequent roll call. The essay must analyze one or more chapters from any of the books or articles covered in the course, summarizing its contents and critically examining it in relation to the other course materials. It is important to note that the chapter(s) or article chosen for analysis in the final essay must be different from the one presented orally during the seminar. The final grade will result from: 1. the written essay (40% of the grade); 2. the oral presentation that the student gave in front of their peers during the course (40% of the grade); 3. active participation in seminar discussions (20% of the grade). Students must demonstrate to be able to: 1. Understand the content of the texts discussed; 2. present them clearly, mastering the specialized vocabulary used by the authors and the fundamental concepts of the discipline; 3. identify the most relevant theoretical points and discussing them critically; 4. independently develop their own arguments related to the content covered. Fulfilling points 1 and 2 is a necessary condition for passing the exam. Grades higher than 27 will be awarded to those whose work meets all four points indicated.

The course will begin with traditional lectures for the first two weeks, before transitioning to a seminar format for the rest of the trimester. In the seminar part, students will be expected to actively engage by orally presenting 30- or 40-minute reports on assigned parts of the program and participating in the seminar discussions. All care will be applied to effectively include also students with a limited-moderate proficiency in English, fostering a relaxed, supportive and welcoming atmosphere where communication across varying levels of language proficiency is seen as an opportunity rather than a barrier. Students will be given the flexibility to choose their preferred style for oral presentations. They may read their presentation with expression (that is, with the purpose of conveying meaning effectively, rather than delivering it with a flat, monotonous tone of voice). Alternatively, they can speak spontaneously without relying on prepared notes, or they may use their own notes as a guideline while speaking. It will also be possible to use PowerPoint slides during one’s presentation.

Deliberative Democracy and Beyond: Iris Marion’s Young “Deep Democracy” The course, conducted in English and structured as a seminar, will commence by addressing the question: what is deliberative democracy? Moreover, it will explore how deliberative democracy differs from the democracy we are familiar with, and how the latter can be enhanced to be more participatory and inclusive through deliberative processes. To shed light on these issues, we will examine, at first, the comprehensive overview of deliberative democracy outlined by O’Flynn in the book Deliberative Democracy, which delineates the main approaches to democratic deliberation. Subsequently, we will consider one of the most well-known and influential works in the field, Inclusion and Democracy by Iris Marion Young. In this book, Young advocates for a theory of “deep democracy” aimed at transcending the limitations of contemporary democracies through a deliberative perspective, while also exploring its practical applications across various political and social contexts, including everyday scenarios. Additionally, we will analyze and debate Young’s stance on the interplay between deliberation and activism. The course will be organized in seminar format, with students presenting 30-minute reports on assigned parts of the program, followed by general discussion. Further details on the organization of the course are provided below.

A knowledge corresponding to the level of the bachelor’s degree in philosophy is required.

1. O’ Flynn, Deliberative Democracy, Polity Press, 2021. 2. Iris Marion Young, Inclusion and Democracy, Oxford University Press, 2000 (introduction, chapters 1, 2, 4, 5, 7). 3. Iris Marion Young, Activist Challenges to Deliberative Democracy, «Political Theory» 29 (2001), n. 5, pp. 670-690. 4. Robert B. Talisse, Deliberativist Responses to Activist Challenges: A Continuation of Young’s Dialectic, «Philosophy & Social Criticism», 31 (2005), n. 4, pp. 423-444. 5. Archon Fung, Deliberation Before the Revolution: Toward an Ethics of Deliberative Democracy in an Unjust World, «Political Theory», 33 (2005), n. 3, pp. 397-419.

Attending the course is highly recommended. Giving one’s oral presentation during the class seminar is mandatory.

The final exam will consist of an essay (in English) of a minimum length of 15,000 characters that students are required to email to the professor at least two weeks before their chosen roll call. On the day of the roll call, students may also have a brief oral discussion of their essay, but this is optional. The oral discussion is not mandatory. Delays in the submission of the essay will result in the postponement to the subsequent roll call. The essay must analyze one or more chapters from any of the books or articles covered in the course, summarizing its contents and critically examining it in relation to the other course materials. It is important to note that the chapter(s) or article chosen for analysis in the final essay must be different from the one presented orally during the seminar. The final grade will result from: 1. the written essay (40% of the grade); 2. the oral presentation that the student gave in front of their peers during the course (40% of the grade); 3. active participation in seminar discussions (20% of the grade). Students must demonstrate to be able to: 1. Understand the content of the texts discussed; 2. present them clearly, mastering the specialized vocabulary used by the authors and the fundamental concepts of the discipline; 3. identify the most relevant theoretical points and discussing them critically; 4. independently develop their own arguments related to the content covered. Fulfilling points 1 and 2 is a necessary condition for passing the exam. Grades higher than 27 will be awarded to those whose work meets all four points indicated.

The course will begin with traditional lectures for the first two weeks, before transitioning to a seminar format for the rest of the trimester. In the seminar part, students will be expected to actively engage by orally presenting 30- or 40-minute reports on assigned parts of the program and participating in the seminar discussions. All care will be applied to effectively include also students with a limited-moderate proficiency in English, fostering a relaxed, supportive and welcoming atmosphere where communication across varying levels of language proficiency is seen as an opportunity rather than a barrier. Students will be given the flexibility to choose their preferred style for oral presentations. They may read their presentation with expression (that is, with the purpose of conveying meaning effectively, rather than delivering it with a flat, monotonous tone of voice). Alternatively, they can speak spontaneously without relying on prepared notes, or they may use their own notes as a guideline while speaking. It will also be possible to use PowerPoint slides during one’s presentation.