IR5406 Theories of Friendship and Enmity

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Planned timetable

Fridays 10.00am – 12.00 noon

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr B G Tsokov

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr B Tsokov

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

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.

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2-hour seminar.