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Instructors: Sherif Alaa
Event type:
Seminar
Org-unit: Dept. 02 - Institute of Political Science
Displayed in timetable as:
02-03-0163-se
Subject:
Crediting for:
Hours per week:
2
Language of instruction:
Englisch
Min. | Max. participants:
- | 35
Preconditions:
Course Requirements:
The course will be taught online through lectures, debates, presentations, and case studies. You are expected to attend all classes, actively participate during the class, and read all the mandatory readings.
For students seeking full credit, you are asked to write one essay consisting of 3,500 words on one of the topics covered in the syllabus related to democracy promotion, in consultation with the instructor.
Official Course Description:
Overview
What is democracy promotion? And who, if any, has the responsibility to promote it? Can we consider it an ethical and moral responsibility? Is it a legal obligation? Or is democracy promotion itself considered an anti-democratic practice? In fact, the very essence of the term “democracy promotion” is being questioned both by academics and practitioners in the field alike. What is the relationship between democracy promotion and the field of international development? And how can you assess whether democracy promotion has succeeded? Can we measure democracy?
Seminar Objectives:
In this course, we will explore the notion of democracy promotion and its theoretical and practical dimensions. The course will the look into the definition(s) of democracy promotion, its theoretical and philosophical frameworks, and how it evolved over time responding to global and local transformations. We will also discuss the ethical dilemmas and debates surrounding democracy promotion and the different attempts to gauge democracy and measure the success of its promotion.
In addition to the theoretical framework and academic debates, this course will offer you an opportunity to learn about the work of actors involved in the practice of democracy promotion, including governments, international governmental and nongovernmental organizations, with a focus on electoral assistance and observation and civil society assistance, in which the tutor has significant firsthand experience.
Through this course, you will:
1) Critically understand the different theoretical and philosophical perspectives towards democracy and democracy promotion.
2) Explore the different methods and practices of democracy promotion.
3) Learn in-depth about the practice of democracy promotion through civil society assistance and electoral observation and assistance in the field.
4) Engage in discussions and debates related to the practice and theory of democracy promotion.
5) Assess the effectiveness of democracy promotion programs.
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