Teaching code

4S008075

Teacher

Olivia Guaraldo

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

SPS/01 - POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY

Period

2 A, 2 B

Lessons timetable Moodle Seminars 0

To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Program

WAR IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD: concepts, strategies, media representation. The course proposes in the first instance to retrace the ways in which modern warfare was conceived in the West, through the analysis of some important political thinkers (Machiavelli, Hobbes, Kant, von Clausewitz, Schmitt). Subsequently we will analyze the transformations, in contemporary times, of the concepts of war and the enemy. According to Rupert Smith, division commander in the first Gulf War, commander of the UN forces in Bosnia and deputy supreme commander of NATO, there is no longer the war of armies facing each other in the open field, but in the global scenario of widespread and persistent conflicts we find ourselves in the face of low intensity wars, mostly fought 'AMONG the people' whose battlefield are the streets, houses, squares and the victims are mostly civilian. The Russian invasion of Ukraine, however, further complicates the picture of contemporary warfare, not only for the massive deployment of ground troops, in what is a real invasion, but also for the 'hybrid' strategies with which war itself was prepared and legitimized. What practices, what conceptual models and what experiences do the contemporary transformations of the political use of force bring into play? What communication strategies become part of the war and its legitimation? How is it possible today to tell the war in a journalistic context? The course will try to analyze and understand these aspects, providing a theoretical-practical framework of the contemporary transformations of war also through the analysis of specific case studies discussed in class.

Bibliography

Didactic methods

The teaching includes - a general part that will take place in frontal mode, in which the teacher will introduce the general concepts and methodology of reading the texts. - a seminar part, of critical study through the analytical reading of texts, the discussion and presentation of reports in class by the students. In order to be considered attending students it is necessary to be present at both parts of the course. For those who do not attend, the teaching bibliography will be supplemented upon appropriate request to the teacher by the non-attending student.

Learning assessment procedures

The exam will be held in oral form. The exam discussion will begin with a presentation by the student of a topic chosen individually from among those addressed in class or - for those who do not attend - freely chosen and prepared based on the texts in the program. The student can 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 treated context, the ability of each student to be able to independently address philosophical-political dilemmas concerning the reality of associated living as they emerge in the public debate regarding the emergencies of our present. For the seminar part - whose active and assiduous attendance will affect the final grade by 40% - will take place in collaboration with the students and we will be asked to present and discuss in class texts proposed by the teacher and texts or case studies chosen by the / the students themselves

Evaluation criteria

To pass the exam, students must demonstrate that: - they have understood the theories, paradigms, concepts of modern and contemporary political theory; - knowing how to clearly and consequently expose the acquired knowledge - knowing how to apply the concepts, the theories to the different historical-political contexts, demonstrating the ability to autonomously elaborate the acquired knowledge, with particular attention to the challenges of contemporaneity Criteria for the composition of the vote final 60%: verification of the knowledge acquired from the study of the texts in the program from the analyzes carried out in class by the teacher 40%: active participation in the seminar part (discussion, presentation of reports in class) Not attending: 100% verification of knowledge acquired from the study of the texts scheduled (including supplementary material provided by the teacher upon request for non-attending students). NB: those who do not participate in the seminar part and at least 70% of the lectures part cannot take the exam as an attending student.

Exam language

italiano