Carl Schmitt: Theories of Dictatorship and Constitution [E]
Term:
Fall 2008
Subject Code:
GSOC
Course Number:
5199
The seminar will involve an intensive reading and analysis of Schmitt�s
Constitutional Theory, published in 2008 in English. In particular, we will
examine the link of the concept of sovereign dictatorship to his conception of the
constituent power. Registered Students (auditors will be permitted if they
come to all sessions) will be asked to prepare in-class presentations, and in
the end a Seminar paper on the relationship of ONE or TWO of the following to
Constitutional Theory:
1. The classical doctrines of either Machiavelli, Bodin, Hobbes,
Rousseau, Sieyes, Condorcet, Madison OR Jefferson
2. The contemporary works of Jellinek, Carre de Malberg, Hauriou, Heller
OR Kelsen
3. Schmitt�s own works: Roman Catholicism and Political Form, Die
Diktatur (available in Spanish, French and Italian translations as well),
Political Theology, Concept of the Political; Legality or Legitimacy; OR The Crisis
of Parliamentary Democracy
4. Theorists influenced by Schmitt: Arendt, arguably Ackerman, Mouffe,
Agamben, Negri, Derrida, OR Lindahl
5. Schmitt�s American interpreters: Schwab, Bendersky, Kennedy,
Scheuerman, Kalyvas et.al.
Class schedule will be organized according to student presentations, with
the first five sessions focusing on the book Die Diktatur (that will be made
accessible through four languages and secondary treatments). Crosslisted with Political Science.
< back
