Learning objectives

The course aims to provide an overview of the history of early-modern philosophy, seen as an essential moment of the wider history of Western thought, and its terminology. Special attention will be given to developing a critical approach to the most important texts as well as their central issues and concepts. The anticipated learning objectives are as follows: Knowledge: 1) Knowledge and understanding of early-modern philosophical contexts (historical-cultural contexts, philosophical traditions); 2) Knowledge and understanding of the theories developed by the major early-modern philosophers; 3) Knowledge and understanding of the lexicon of early-modern philosophy. -Skills: 1) Applying knowledge and understanding to the critical reading of and commentary on philosophical texts, possibly in the original or at least with some reference to it; this should be demonstrated by the mastery of an appropriate vocabulary and the ability to identify interpretative problems and suggest possible solutions; 2) Making autonomous judgments and engaging in independent reasoning; 3) Developing communication skills, also according to the recipient, in the following areas: participating in guided discussions, generating and explaining ideas and defending these through arguments, and possibly delivering short presentations; 4) Enacting autonomous learning skills through the development of an appropriate study and interpretation methodology in relation to both texts and contexts; 5) Developing the ability to connect study outcomes with personal experience and today’s world, wherein particular attention will be paid to ability to differentiate between historical circumstances and contexts. 6) Developing the capacity to communicate philosophical contents to specialists and non-specialists alike; 7) Developing the capacity to continue their studies at a MA level.