Learning objectives

Workshop on Political Philosophy and Sexuality:
The workshop aims at introducing the contemporary political debate related to the connection between political philosophy, and gender and sexuality issues, with a particular focus on the relations between power and subjectivity.
At the end of the workshop, students:
KNOWLEDGE:
- will accurately know the studied theories and authors,
- and their role in the contemporary political thought;
- will understand the social and political processes involved in the construction of gender and sexuality,
- and how these processes contribute to define the public debates that characterize contemporary democracies.
ABILITIES:
- will be able to discuss the studied subjects using a technical and suitable language;
- will acquire an independent judgement on the studied subjects.

Prerequisites and basic notions

The workshop is introductory and requires no special prerequisites.

Program

What is the concept of "gender"? To what extent gender and sexuality are "useful categories of analysis"? What does it mean that gender and sexuality are "social constructions"? Retracing the genealogy that affirmed the paradigm of "social construction" and criticized the "naturalistic" models, some fundamental, philosophical, historical, sociological, political and anthropological contributions will be discussed, in the field of feminist studies, gender and sexuality studies, and lesbian, gay and queer theories. Through the study of authors such as Michel Foucault, Judith Butler, Simone de Beauvoir, Monique Wittig, Christine Delphy, Thomas Laqueur, Mario Mieli, Adrienne Rich, etc., and also regarding to the conflicts related to the challenges that the concept of gender has generated in the public space, the workshop proposes a reflection on gender and sexuality as categories of analysis and criticism of reality, of the logic of domination and of power relations.
Passages or chapters of the texts indicated in the bibliography will be proposed and made available on the Moodle platform. Any additional texts will be provided during the workshop.
Attendance is compulsory for at least 75% of lessons. There is therefore no distinction between attending and non-attending students.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The discussion, supported by the reading of the texts, videos and the commentary of political and social news will be privileged. Participation in the seminar activities of the research centre PoliTeSse - Politics and Theories of Sexuality may also be proposed. In general, active participation in the classroom of the students is required.

Learning assessment procedures

There is no final examination.

Evaluation criteria

Attendance to at least 9 out of 12 lectures will be considered to validate the workshop and obtain the 3 credits (F).

Exam language

italiano