300458 Poststructuralist Perspectives on World Politics (MA: Politikwissenschaft) (S) (SoSe 2025)

Over the past three decades, poststructuralist perspectives on world politics have gained increasing popularity: Building on ontological and epistemological premises that challenge the largely materialistic, rationalist, and objectivistic views purported by mainstream IR theories, poststructuralism has set the grounds for genuinely tackling the political element in ‘world politics’ by accounting for its constitutively disputed and indecisive quality. Leaning on its major notions of discourse, hegemony, and identity, this course hence seeks to carve out the value of poststructuralist theorizing in the study of world politics. The first pillar deals with poststructuralism’s theoretical foundations and guiding concepts, as to allow for a basic understanding of its post-foundationalist assumptions. The second pillar introduces specific studies conducted through this lens in order to get a grasp on its value and applicability. The third pillar finally tackles the issue of poststructuralist research with regard to method and methodology, as the transfer between its thick theoretical vocabulary and practical conduct remains one of its major challenges. In order to guide students through its complexity, the non-graded exam consists of weekly tasks that aid orientation and enable room for discussion.

Requirements for participation, required level

Advanced Knowledge on International Relations Theory