Teaching code

4S012301

Credits

6

Coordinator

Olivia Guaraldo

Language

Italian

Also offered in courses:

• Political theory of the course Master's degree in Philosophy
• Political theory - Lezione of the course Master's degree in Philosophy
• Political theory - Esercitazione of the course Master's degree in Philosophy
• Political philosophy I [Sede VR] - Esercitazione of the course Master’s degree in Historical Studies (interuniversity)
• Political philosophy I [Sede VR] - Lezione of the course Master’s degree in Historical Studies (interuniversity)

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

SPS/01 - POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

Courses Single

Authorized

Moodle Seminars 0

The teaching is organized as follows:

Learning objectives

The teaching aims to offer an eminently theoretical perspective on politics through a methodology that is both reconstructive and experimental. Indeed, political theory concerns both the study of politics from a historical-conceptual point of view - that is, how human beings have theorized the forms of their coexistence, from the Greek polis to the modern state, to liberal democracies - , and the research around possible new political configurations, in an era characterized by profound changes. Students will be guided in the historical-conceptual analysis of philosophical texts dealing with the relationship between ways of configuring subjectivity (of thinking the subject) and ways of political organization (critical-reconstructive methodology). They will also be required to know how to handle such political concepts in order to test their resilience or obsolescence in our contemporary times, while also testing innovative theoretical-political hypotheses (experimental methodology). Students will be accompanied on a path of analysis and critique of the texts, which will be followed by the individual elaboration of a critical-argumentative work (written and oral) on the topics covered. The preparation offered will be able to provide the following knowledge: 1) Knowledge and understanding of the main political concepts in their historical development from antiquity to modernity; 2) Knowledge and understanding of the main theoretical dilemmas of politics between ancient and modern, modern and contemporary. The preparation offered will be able to provide the following skills: 1) Ability to situate historically and conceptually the knowledge acquired, to relate it to coeval phenomena of a religious, social, and economic nature; 2) Ability to apply the theoretical-political skills acquired to be able to autonomously deal with problems of a philosophical-political nature of our present (dilemmas related to the relationship between equality and difference, subjects and powers, individual freedom and political order); 3) Ability to formulate reasoning and judgments autonomously, in relation to the issues of political theory and their applicability in the context of social interrelation; 4) Development of communication and argumentative skills through the ability to participate in a balanced and reasoned way in class discussions; 5) Development of autonomous learning skills through an appropriate methodology of study and interpretation of texts; 6) Development of the ability to relate the results of the study with one's own personal experience in relation to the specific topic covered by the course, with particular attention to the awareness of the gap between historically different situations and contexts.

Prerequisites and basic notions

General knowledge of the history of ancient and modern philosophy; General knowledge of the history of political concepts.

Program

"The dominant hand of the people": rethinking democracy starting from Athens. To which needs does democracy respond? Is it just a political regime like any other or does its specificity pertain to essential human traits, to human 'instincts' (C. Meier)? Through Hannah Arendt's reading of Greek political experience, the course will analyze the essential traits of democratic action as they first appeared in the political history of ancient Greece, particularly Athens. Through a philosophical, historical and literary journey we will try to discover the original traits of demokratìa, of the appearance on the stage of history of a "people who raise their hand" to give their consent to collective decisions. What remains today of that origin? Is it completely outdated or does the persistence of that ancient Greek word mean that democracy is much more than a form of government? These and other questions will guide the theoretical-political analysis of Arendt's texts on ancient politics and will also guide us in trying to understand the crisis of democracy in our present.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Frontal lessons based on the texts in the program integrated by seminar-style readings of the texts accompanied by class discussions and presentations by students

Learning assessment procedures

The exam will be oral. The exam discussion will begin with a presentation by the student of a topic chosen individually from those covered in class or - for those who do not attend - freely chosen and prepared by relying on the texts in the program. The student may then be asked questions regarding the main theoretical problems addressed in the course (and in the texts). The evaluation will concern, in addition to the historical-philosophical and historical-political knowledge of the context covered, the ability of each student to independently deal with dilemmas of a philosophical-political nature regarding the reality of associated living as they emerge in the public debate regarding the emergencies of our present. For the seminar part - attendance of which is mandatory and will influence the final grade by 40% - it will take place in collaboration with the students who will be asked to present and discuss in class texts proposed by the teacher and texts or case studies chosen by the students themselves

Evaluation criteria

The evaluation criteria will be the following: 1) possession of the fundamental concepts; 2) ability to present clearly and with proper language; 3) ability to analyze texts; 4) autonomy of thought.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade will be expressed in thirtieths and will be the result of a synthetic judgment, which takes into account all the evaluation criteria in line with the nature and specificities of the discipline.

Exam language

italiano

Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs

This initiative contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN Agenda 2030. More information on sustainability