Studying at York
Challenges of Pluralism - POL00003M
- Department: Politics and International Relations
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. Alasia Nuti
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: M
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Autumn Term 2022-23 |
Module aims
Contemporary democratic societies are characterized by pluralism. Pluralism can be seen as an enriching and essential component of a genuine liberal democracy. Often, however, pluralism is (rightly or wrongly) perceived as a threat to democratic, liberal and egalitarian values. In contemporary political thinking, different concepts, such a toleration and recognition, have been used to confront challenges of pluralism. Is the concept of “toleration” enough to address the demands of pluralist societies or these demands call for “recognition” of, say, cultural and religious difference? And, when it comes to dealing with undemocratic, illiberal and inegalitarian values and political ideologies, can the concepts of toleration and recognition be useful at all? In other words, should we recognise or even tolerate what seems to be intolerable?
In this module, we will address these question and discuss which responses should be given to the challenges that different kinds of pluralism posit. We will do so by focusing on some pressing issues of pluralism, such as problems of religious accommodation, multicultural difference, same-sex marriage, freedom of speech, far-right politics and conspiracy theories. Moreover, we will explore how the very ideas of “toleration” and “recognition” are vehemently contested by some not only as inadequate responses to the challenges of pluralism but also as tools of domination and “colonization”.
Module learning outcomes
- Apply concepts developed in political theory to particular case studies, and understand what other context-specific factors must be considered, and with what weight
- Develop conceptual analysis of toleration, its variations and alternatives, again in conversation with particular case studies
- Appreciate the different challenges that pluralism posits by engaging with different concepts and approaches and analyzing different cases
- Develop skills of critical reasoning
Indicative assessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework 4000 word essay |
N/A | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
| Task | Length | % of module mark |
|---|---|---|
| Essay/coursework 4000 word essay |
N/A | 100 |
Module feedback
Students will receive written timely feedback on their formative assessment. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor's feedback and guidance hours.
Students will receive written feedback on their summative assessment no later than six weeks after submission; and the module tutor will hold a specific session to discuss feedback, which students can also opt to attend. They will also have the opportunity to discuss their feedback during the module tutor's regular feedback and guidance hours.
Indicative reading
Michael Walzer, On Toleration (Yale University Press)
Susan Mendus, Toleration and the Limits of Liberalism (Macmillan)
Wendy Brown, Regulating Aversion: Tolerance in the Age of Identity and Empire (Princeton University Press)