Teaching code

4S01118

Teacher

Massimo Prearo

Coordinatore

Massimo Prearo

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

SPS/03 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS

Period

2 A, 2 B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars

Learning objectives

Acquisition of particular skills and abilities in dealing with vocabulary and specific issues regarding the composition, functioning and role of modern political institutions (Eighteenth-Twentieth centuries).

Prerequisites and basic notions

No requirements.

Program

Course title: The political institution of the State, the democratic citizenship, and the postcolonial critique
How and when did the modern State come into being? What are the historical and institutional processes that characterize its emergence? How to understand the constitution of democracy in Europe? What does it mean to become a citizen of a democratic State? In what sense did colonialism contribute to the definition of the power of the State? What are the forms of colonial government? How does postcolonial critique enable us to reread the events of the State in Europe and understand the phenomena of contemporary racism? These are some of the questions that the course aims to explore.
The course will be divided into two parts.
The first part will study the emergence of the State in Europe as a political-institutional reality in the different forms it takes in modern and contemporary history, outlining fundamental characteristics and, above all, substantial differences. In particular, we will focus on the areas that outlined the features of the State and democratic institutions in the European context. The forms of colonial institutions will also be considered.
In the second part of the course, we will reflect, by contrast, on how colonialism contributed to the consolidation of the power of the State and political institutions in Europe. Finally, through a critical reading of democratic citizenship and the postcolonial condition, an attempt will be made to explore, from a political-institutional perspective, the processes of racialization, and thus the actuality of racism in Europe and Italy.
For any needs or request, the teacher receives by appointment upon request forwarded to massimo.prearo[at]univr.it
Please note that ho distinction is made between attending and non-attending students for this teaching. The program is therefore the same for all.
First part:
- Maurizio Fioravanti (a cura di), Lo Stato moderno in Europa. Istituzioni e diritto, Bari, Laterza,(qualsiasi edizione).
- Isabella Rosoni, Le istituzioni politiche coloniali, in M. Meriggi e L. Tedoldi, Storia delle istituzioni politiche. Dall’antico regime all’era globale, Roma, Carocci, 2014, pp. 149-168.
Second part:
- Achille Mbembe, Sul Commandement, in A. Mbembe, Postcolonialismo, Roma, Meltemi, 2005, pp. 33-79.
- Miguel Mellino, Deprovincializzare l’Italia. Note su colonialità, razza e razzismo in Europa e in Italia, in M. Mellino, Cittadinanze postcoloniali. Appartenenze, razza e razzismo in Europa e in Italia, Roma, Carocci, 2013, pp. 81-126.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

Each lecture and, in general, the course will be conducted by alternating moments of frontal lectures and moments of participatory lessons, exchange and discussion, also based upon the commentary of the texts to be studied for the final exam.
In order to facilitate access to lectures to students that for any reason cannot attend the course, lectures will be recorded and made available from the last lecture of the course, i.e., May 15, and will remain available until the last exam related to this year course.
Additional information, communications, tools or materials will be transmitted and made available on the course Moodle page. Subscription on the course Moodle page is therefore strongly recommended.

Learning assessment procedures

The study of the texts indicated in the syllabus is not an optional, but an essential step in preparing the exam.
The examination will consist of an oral test lasting 20-30 minutes. In the first 5 minutes students will be allowed to present a topic they can choose from the classroom discussions and/or the exam syllabus.

Evaluation criteria

The exam will allow to verify:
- Knowledge of the technical terms, concepts and notions of the discipline;
- The ability to argue scientifically by applying these terms, concepts and notions;
- Competence in developing autonomous analyzes and reflections.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade is expressed out of thirty. The eventual attribution of honors is foreseen in cases in which the student has demonstrated knowledge and skills that are more than excellent, impeccable and excellent during the exam.

Exam language

Italiano