History of Political Thought
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the acquisition of theoretical, methodological and critical tools proper to the history of political thought. The student will acquire the ability to apply the knowledge learned in the context of the history of political thought for the purpose of a critical re-elaboration of the problems and will be able to express critical judgments. At the end of the course, students will have achieved the ability to communicate clearly, and to write in a correct way, synthetic considerations on the main issues of modern and contemporary politics, critically reshaping ideas and theses put forward by the main authors who have contributed to the Western political and philosophical tradition.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student:
1. will have a fully adequate knowledge of the theories and themes in the history of political thought and will be able to identify and discuss their critical points;
2. will have a systematic and in-depth knowledge of the history of political thought from ancient times to contemporary times, acquired through the reading of the classics and the study of secondary literature.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student:
1. will be able to apply appropriately the knowledge and critical skills acquired from the study of the history of political thought in order to make critical judgments in different areas of contemporary concrete reality;
2. will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in order to develop the ability to discuss and compare different theoretical and cultural perspectives;
3. will be able to apply with mastery the methodology of historical-political research and will be able to produce original research.
At the end of the course, the student:
1. will have a fully adequate knowledge of the theories and themes in the history of political thought and will be able to identify and discuss their critical points;
2. will have a systematic and in-depth knowledge of the history of political thought from ancient times to contemporary times, acquired through the reading of the classics and the study of secondary literature.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student:
1. will be able to apply appropriately the knowledge and critical skills acquired from the study of the history of political thought in order to make critical judgments in different areas of contemporary concrete reality;
2. will be able to apply the acquired knowledge in order to develop the ability to discuss and compare different theoretical and cultural perspectives;
3. will be able to apply with mastery the methodology of historical-political research and will be able to produce original research.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Teaching methods
For the duration of the health emergency, the lessons in attendance will be replaced by two complementary modes of telematic teaching, synchronous and asynchronous. All lessons will be recorded and, together with the ppt with audio, will be uploaded to Ariel and will remain available throughout the academic year.
The calendar of all synchronous and asynchronous lessons (ppt with audio) will be communicated during the lessons and will be published on Ariel's Bacheca, where you can also find all the information on how to participate in the lessons: see https://msimonazzispp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx.
Reference Materials:
The program and reference material will not be changed.
Learning verification mode:
The exam will take place in oral form using the Microsoft Teams platform. The exam calendar and instructions for taking part in the exam can also be found on the Ariel platform's "Bacheca" (https://msimonazzispp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx). Obviously, in case health conditions allow it, the exam will take place in presence.
For the duration of the health emergency, the lessons in attendance will be replaced by two complementary modes of telematic teaching, synchronous and asynchronous. All lessons will be recorded and, together with the ppt with audio, will be uploaded to Ariel and will remain available throughout the academic year.
The calendar of all synchronous and asynchronous lessons (ppt with audio) will be communicated during the lessons and will be published on Ariel's Bacheca, where you can also find all the information on how to participate in the lessons: see https://msimonazzispp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx.
Reference Materials:
The program and reference material will not be changed.
Learning verification mode:
The exam will take place in oral form using the Microsoft Teams platform. The exam calendar and instructions for taking part in the exam can also be found on the Ariel platform's "Bacheca" (https://msimonazzispp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx). Obviously, in case health conditions allow it, the exam will take place in presence.
Course syllabus
For a History of Individualism: from Mandeville to Bubble Democracy
1 The origin of modern individualism
We will reconstruct the intellectual origins of modern individualism and analyze the first debates on its nature and internal dynamics. We will start from the studies of Ullmann and Borkenau to show the passage from the medieval conception of the individual to the modern one.
2 Individualism, commercial society and democracy
We will read and comment on some pages from Pierre Nicole's La carità e l'amor proprio, Bernard Mandeville's La favola delle api and Tocqueville's La democrazia in America. Through these works we will see the emergence of a new way of understanding the relationship between the individual and society. In addition, we will analyze the development of individualism within modern democracies and its effects on the political and social level. In particular, we will investigate the emergence of the culture of narcissism.
3 The individual in the age of digital democracy
In the third unit we will ask ourselves about the transformations that individualism is undergoing under the impetus of neoliberal ideology and the new digital media.
1 The origin of modern individualism
We will reconstruct the intellectual origins of modern individualism and analyze the first debates on its nature and internal dynamics. We will start from the studies of Ullmann and Borkenau to show the passage from the medieval conception of the individual to the modern one.
2 Individualism, commercial society and democracy
We will read and comment on some pages from Pierre Nicole's La carità e l'amor proprio, Bernard Mandeville's La favola delle api and Tocqueville's La democrazia in America. Through these works we will see the emergence of a new way of understanding the relationship between the individual and society. In addition, we will analyze the development of individualism within modern democracies and its effects on the political and social level. In particular, we will investigate the emergence of the culture of narcissism.
3 The individual in the age of digital democracy
In the third unit we will ask ourselves about the transformations that individualism is undergoing under the impetus of neoliberal ideology and the new digital media.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is open to post graduate students (Laurea magistrale) and assumes a basic knowledge of the history of modern philosophy and of history of political thought gained during the B.A. degree (Laurea Triennale).
Teaching methods
Lectures
Debate and discussion
Work Group
Debate and discussion
Work Group
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for attending and non-attending students:
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
1) A. Laurent, Storia dell'individualismo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1994.
2) One text of your choice:
- W. Ullmann, Individuo e società nel Medioevo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1983.
- F.A. von Hayek, Individualismo: quello vero e quello falso, Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 1997.
- L. Dumont, Homo aequalis. Genesi e trionfo dell'ideologia economica, Milano, Adelphi, 1984.
- A.O. Hirschman, Le passioni e gli interessi. Argomenti politici in favore del capitalismo prima del suo trionfo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1979.
- C. Lasch, La cultura del narcisismo. L'individuo in fuga dal sociale in un'era di delusioni collettive, Milano, Bompiani, 1981.
- R. Sennett, Il declino dell'uomo pubblico. La società intimista, Milano, Bompiani, 1982.
- J. Dewey, Individualismo vecchio e nuovo, Parma, Diabasis, 2013.
3) E. Pulcini, L'individuo senza passioni. Individualismo moderno e perdita del legame sociale, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2001.
4) P. Nicole, La carità e l'amor proprio, Brescia, Morcelliana, 2005, pp. 65-122; B. Mandeville, La favola delle api, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 1987 (e ristampe successive), pp. 3-51, pp. 70-79; pp. 132-149; B. Mandeville, Dialoghi tra Orazio e Cleomene, Lecce, Milella, 1978, pp. 67-99; B. Mandeville, La ricerca sull'origine dell'onore e sull'utilità del Cristianesimo in guerra, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 1998, pp. 2-65; A. Tocqueville, La democrazia in America, Torino, Utet, 2013, pp. 585-652
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
5) D. Palano, Bubble Democracy. La fine del pubblico e la nuova polarizzazione, Milano, Scholé, 2020.
6) One text of your choice:
- B.-C. Han, Nello sciame. Visioni del digitale, Milano, Nottetempo, 2015.
- M. Boarelli, Contro l'ideologia del merito, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2019.
- W. Davies, Stati nervosi. Come l'emotività ha conquistato il mondo, Torino, Einaudi, 2019.
- V. Codeluppi, Il tramonto della realtà. Come i media stanno trasformando le nostre vite, Roma, Carocci, 2018.
Slides and other digital resources available on e-learning course: https://msimonazzisfp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/
Assignments for both 6 and 9 ECTS exams:
1) A. Laurent, Storia dell'individualismo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1994.
2) One text of your choice:
- W. Ullmann, Individuo e società nel Medioevo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1983.
- F.A. von Hayek, Individualismo: quello vero e quello falso, Soveria Mannelli, Rubbettino, 1997.
- L. Dumont, Homo aequalis. Genesi e trionfo dell'ideologia economica, Milano, Adelphi, 1984.
- A.O. Hirschman, Le passioni e gli interessi. Argomenti politici in favore del capitalismo prima del suo trionfo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1979.
- C. Lasch, La cultura del narcisismo. L'individuo in fuga dal sociale in un'era di delusioni collettive, Milano, Bompiani, 1981.
- R. Sennett, Il declino dell'uomo pubblico. La società intimista, Milano, Bompiani, 1982.
- J. Dewey, Individualismo vecchio e nuovo, Parma, Diabasis, 2013.
3) E. Pulcini, L'individuo senza passioni. Individualismo moderno e perdita del legame sociale, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2001.
4) P. Nicole, La carità e l'amor proprio, Brescia, Morcelliana, 2005, pp. 65-122; B. Mandeville, La favola delle api, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 1987 (e ristampe successive), pp. 3-51, pp. 70-79; pp. 132-149; B. Mandeville, Dialoghi tra Orazio e Cleomene, Lecce, Milella, 1978, pp. 67-99; B. Mandeville, La ricerca sull'origine dell'onore e sull'utilità del Cristianesimo in guerra, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 1998, pp. 2-65; A. Tocqueville, La democrazia in America, Torino, Utet, 2013, pp. 585-652
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
5) D. Palano, Bubble Democracy. La fine del pubblico e la nuova polarizzazione, Milano, Scholé, 2020.
6) One text of your choice:
- B.-C. Han, Nello sciame. Visioni del digitale, Milano, Nottetempo, 2015.
- M. Boarelli, Contro l'ideologia del merito, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2019.
- W. Davies, Stati nervosi. Come l'emotività ha conquistato il mondo, Torino, Einaudi, 2019.
- V. Codeluppi, Il tramonto della realtà. Come i media stanno trasformando le nostre vite, Roma, Carocci, 2018.
Slides and other digital resources available on e-learning course: https://msimonazzisfp.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of an interview on the topics and texts provided by the program, aimed at ascertaining the comprehension of the texts, a thorough knowledge of the main conceptual contributions of the history of political thought and the ability to approach the issues of a general nature adopting the appropriate methodological perspectives. The student must show that he is able to discuss the arguments of the various authors using a suitable vocabulary and to know how to orient himself within the bibliographic apparatus of reference in the historical-political field.
Students who follow the course will have the opportunity to take part of the exam through exercises, lectures and group work.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discusses during the course (exposition);
- ability to exemplify concepts (understanding);
- autonomy of judgement, capacity of use and apply concepts (development);
- communication skills and the adequacy of language.
Students who follow the course will have the opportunity to take part of the exam through exercises, lectures and group work.
Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the theoretical aspects of the topics discusses during the course (exposition);
- ability to exemplify concepts (understanding);
- autonomy of judgement, capacity of use and apply concepts (development);
- communication skills and the adequacy of language.
Unita' didattica A
SPS/02 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
SPS/02 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
SPS/02 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Office hours: Thursday, 4.30 pm-7.30 pm via Teams, with prior appointment by email.
Cortile della Ghiacciaia, first floor, or Microsoft Teams.