Sem (MA) Democratic speech and public discourse

Instructors: Dr. Maria Paola Ferretti
Shortname: Sem Democ. speech
Course Type: Seminar

Requirements / organisational issues

Please attend the first session. The seminar places of the absentees will be offered to students in the waiting list.

Recommended reading list

Readings and videos will be available on MOODLE. The seminar discussion presupposes that you are familiar with the seminar topic, so please make sure to engage with the proposed materials.
Some background readings are:
• Bonotti, M., & Seglow, J. (2021). Free Speech. Cambridge: Polity Press. ISBN-13: 9781509526444
• Lepoutre, M. (2022). Democratic Speech in Divided Times. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780198869757

Contents

Free speech and the circulation of ideas in a society’s public culture are closely tied to citizens’ democratic role in assessing political activity and contributing to the direction of state actions. Thus, free speech is essential to democratic participation, for example, when expressing political views, campaigning in elections, criticizing government decisions, or proposing laws and policies. Does democratic participation require only free speech, or does it also require equal speech? What are the conditions for inclusive speech?
The course begins with a critical discussion of the value of public reason and the importance of rules of deliberation in justifying political demands and challenging structures of power. We will then examine the objection that public reason theorists present an idealized picture that overlooks the reality of political discourse, which is often dominated by partisan manipulation of information and emotions. Finally, we will discuss some of the contemporary challenges to democratic speech and toleration, focusing on offensive speech, no-platforming, fake news, and protests.

Additional information

The course is open (also) to Erasmus Students (MA students and advancedBA) students at advanced level).
ECTS: 5 or 9 (according to the lenght of the term paper).

Dates

Date (Day of the week) Time Location
04/17/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
04/24/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
05/08/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
05/15/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
05/22/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
06/05/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
06/12/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
06/26/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
07/03/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
07/10/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)
07/17/2025 (Thursday) 14:15 - 15:45 02 617 Seminarraum
1137 - Georg-Forster-Gebäude (Sowi)