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Lecturer(s)
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Svoboda Rudolf, prof. ThDr. Th.D., Ph.D.
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Course content
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Course Content 1. Introduction to the History of Social Thought 2. Social and Political Thought in Ancient Greece 3. Aristotle's Social and Political Philosophy 4. Christianity and the Transformation of Ancient Social Thought 5. Medieval Social and Political Thought 6. The Renaissance, the Reformation and the Emergence of the Early Modern State 7. Social Contract Theories 8. The Enlightenment and Modern Citizenship 9. The Emergence of the Modern Concept of Civil Society 10. Democracy, Civic Associations and Participation 11. Industrialisation, Capitalism and the Critique of Modern Society 12. Social Thought in the Twentieth Century 13. The Public Sphere and Contemporary Understandings of Civil Society 14. Comparative Study of Civil Society Study Materials and Learning Resources Study materials are made available through the course's online learning environment.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic (reading, lecture, briefing), Dialogic (discussion, interview, brainstorming), Blended learning
- Class attendance
- 28 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The aim of the course is to introduce students to the principal stages in the development of social thought from antiquity to the present. The course presents key thinkers, intellectual traditions and historical circumstances that have shaped reflection on society, political authority, justice, freedom, equality, social order, the common good and civil society. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the relationship between social change and transformations in social and political thought. Students learn to interpret particular concepts and theories within their historical contexts, compare them with one another and assess their relevance to contemporary social issues. Special attention is paid to the historical development of the concept of civil society and to the different forms civil society has taken in European and non-European societies.
Learning Outcomes and Competences Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to: define social thought and explain its relationship to political philosophy, sociology and the theory of civil society; describe the principal stages in the development of social thought from antiquity to the present; identify major representatives of social and political thought and explain the fundamental principles of their theories; place individual social and political theories within their relevant historical, cultural and social contexts; explain the historical transformations of the concepts of society, the state, justice, freedom, equality, citizenship, the common good and civil society; compare different understandings of the relationship between the individual, society and political authority; distinguish between normative, historical and social-scientific approaches to the study of society; explain the relationship between political institutions, social structures, economic conditions and civic participation; analyse the historical development of civil society in selected countries; undertake a basic comparison of the development of civil society in two different national and historical contexts; work with academic literature, particularly literature in foreign languages; interpret academic texts critically and distinguish between description, argumentation and normative judgement; prepare and clearly present an academically grounded topic; apply knowledge of the history of social thought to the interpretation of contemporary social issues.
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Prerequisites
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The course does not require prior specialist knowledge of the history of philosophy, sociology or political science. Students are expected to have a basic understanding of European history, the ability to work with academic texts in English, and a willingness to search for, critically evaluate and compare academic information independently. A basic awareness of the principal stages of European cultural, political and social history is an advantage.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Colloquium
Requirements for Course Completion Students are required to prepare and deliver a presentation on the topic of "The History of Civil Society" in a selected country, including a comparison with another chosen country. The presentation should not focus solely on the historical development of civil society. It should also examine key thinkers, intellectual traditions, and influential figures who contributed to the understanding and development of civil society in the selected countries. The presentation should address, at a minimum: the historical evolution of civil society in the selected country; a comparison with a second country; major political, social, cultural, and religious factors shaping civil society; important institutions, associations, and social movements; significant thinkers and public intellectuals who reflected on the concept of civil society; the contemporary role and characteristics of civil society in both countries. Students are encouraged to use academic sources and to place their analysis within a broader historical and comparative context.
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Recommended literature
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