General information

Course type AMUPIE
Module title Roads and Off-Roads of Political Correctness (b-learning course)
Language English
Module lecturer dr Bartosz Hordecki
Lecturer's email hordecki@amu.edu.pl
Lecturer position Adiunkt
Faculty Faculty of Political Science and Journalism
Semester 2021/2022 (winter)
Duration 30
ECTS 5
USOS code 14-XROPC

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

The subject of the course is a phenomenon of political correctness. It is understood as a set of opinions dominating in a particular political community. According to these opinions, the range of expressions which are acceptable in public discourse is limited. Along with the development of the political correctness – moral, social and legal norms of public debate are renegotiated and reformulated. Therefore the political correctness can bring both chances, and threats, and in consequence benefits and losses - for the individual as well as for the society. It results from the fact that all restrictions of freedom of expression always remain controversial and can relieve as well as exacerbate conflicts of worldviews. The interpretation of these restrictions isn't unchangeable and can evolve both towards the overindulgence, as well as the excessive rigorism.The main purpose of the course is to expand students’ knowledge about contemporary sorts of political correctness. During it students will become acquainted with different concepts of political correctness, its different forms current in social practices, regulations inspired by it, as well as with issues creating the context, in which political correctness is formed and influencing the reality.

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

The course has a b-learning character: 50% (15h) of classes are held at the Faculty of Political Science and Journalism (students and lecturer are meeting together to discuss the subjects of the course and the works delivered by students on the Internet); 50% (15h) of classes are held on the moodle platform (students are fulfilling tasks and exercises on the Internet).

Syllabus

Subject 1Political correctness and regulations inspired by it – introduction 2hSubject 2Regulations inspired by political correctness – critique 4h Subject 3Blasphemy and its combating 4hSubject 4Blasphemy from the perspective of “the clash of civilizations” 4hSubject 5Hate speech and its combating 4hSubject 6Religious expression versus democratic secular state of law 4hSubject 7Political correctness versus negationisms. History, memory, narratives about the past, “the clash of sensitivities” 4hSubject 8Freedom of expression, extreme speech and democratic functions of the media 4h

Reading list

1. Allan K., Burridge K., Forbidden words. Taboo and the censoring of language, Cambridge 20072. Blasphemy, insult and hatred. Finding answers in a democratic society, Strasbourg 20103. Brasher J.W., Intimidation by Political Correctness: A Distinctively Democrat Phenomenon, Bloomington 20104. Butler J., Excitable Speech. A Politics of the Performative, New York-London 19975. Duignan P., Gann L. H., Political Correctness. A Critique, Stanford 1995 6. Friedman M., Narveson J., Political Correctness. For and Against, London 1995 7. Hare I., Weinstein J. (red.), Extreme speech and democracy, Oxford 20098. Hughes G., Political correctness. A history of semantics and culture, Malden 20109. Nguyen T., Political Correctness in the English Language, Norderstedt 200710. Weber A., Manual on hate speech, Strasbourg 2009