History of Medieval Political Thought
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The aim of the course ¬is to provide students, through the study of relevant authors and main problems, with a general understanding of the history of medieval political thought and the contribution it made to the development of the ideas, argumentative forms and languages with which Europe addressed major political issues during the so-called Middle Ages and early Modern Age.The course also aims to provide students with the cognitive tools that allow them to read critically and comment autonomously on a philosophical-political text.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- know the fundamental aspects of the history of Western medieval political thought, learning to orient oneself in the historical context, in the traditions, in the problems and in the terminology of a decisive phase of the development of the history of political philosophy
- know the fundamental philosophical lexicon, the literary genres and the argumentative forms of medieval political thought
- know the basic methodological tools of research in the history of philosophy, with reference to political thought
- understand the relationships connecting the history of Western medieval political thought to political history, to society and to theological and religious traditions.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- apply the knowledge acquired in the historical context of the authors and texts
- apply the knowledge acquired in vocabulary, argumentation and text analysis to the analysis and interpretation of other texts
- apply the basic knowledge and reading methods learned in class to other philosophical texts.
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- know the fundamental aspects of the history of Western medieval political thought, learning to orient oneself in the historical context, in the traditions, in the problems and in the terminology of a decisive phase of the development of the history of political philosophy
- know the fundamental philosophical lexicon, the literary genres and the argumentative forms of medieval political thought
- know the basic methodological tools of research in the history of philosophy, with reference to political thought
- understand the relationships connecting the history of Western medieval political thought to political history, to society and to theological and religious traditions.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- apply the knowledge acquired in the historical context of the authors and texts
- apply the knowledge acquired in vocabulary, argumentation and text analysis to the analysis and interpretation of other texts
- apply the basic knowledge and reading methods learned in class to other philosophical texts.
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
Course syllabus
This course aims at providing
1. an introduction to the most important traditions and languages of political philosophy during the so-called Middle Ages, as well as some of the major medieval political theorists;
2. a thorough reading of Marsilius of Padua's Defensor pacis (in Italian translation), one of the great classics of Western political thought, published exactly seven centuries ago.
1. an introduction to the most important traditions and languages of political philosophy during the so-called Middle Ages, as well as some of the major medieval political theorists;
2. a thorough reading of Marsilius of Padua's Defensor pacis (in Italian translation), one of the great classics of Western political thought, published exactly seven centuries ago.
Prerequisites for admission
Specific preliminary notions are not required
Teaching methods
Lectures and debates
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for exam:
1. "Il pensiero politico nel Medioevo", in "Filosofia e cultura", ed. by A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2007, pp. 666-680;
2) Stefano Simonetta, "Pensare la politica nel Medioevo", in "Pensare il medioevo", ed by Mt. Fumagalli Beonio Brocchieri, Milano, Mondadori Università, 2007, pp. 129-156;
3) Marsilio da Padova, "Il difensore della pace", Milano, Rizzoli, 2001, selected pages.
Additional readings for non-attending students:
1. Stefano Simonetta, "Un Dio, due vicari. La dottrina del dualismo dei poteri nell'Europa latina medievale", Dianoia. Rivista di filosofia, 32 (2021), pp. 19-35;
2. Stefano Simonetta, "Ockham e il papa" and "Marsilio da Padova e John Wyclif", in "Il pensiero politico medievale", ed. by Mt. Fumagalli Beonio Brocchieri, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2000, pp. 145-164, 165-198;
3. Maurizio Merlo, "Marsilio da Padova. Il pensiero della politica come grammatica del mutamento", Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2003, pp. 9-40.
Scans of the texts (within the legal limits) will be made available on the Ariel platform.
1. "Il pensiero politico nel Medioevo", in "Filosofia e cultura", ed. by A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2007, pp. 666-680;
2) Stefano Simonetta, "Pensare la politica nel Medioevo", in "Pensare il medioevo", ed by Mt. Fumagalli Beonio Brocchieri, Milano, Mondadori Università, 2007, pp. 129-156;
3) Marsilio da Padova, "Il difensore della pace", Milano, Rizzoli, 2001, selected pages.
Additional readings for non-attending students:
1. Stefano Simonetta, "Un Dio, due vicari. La dottrina del dualismo dei poteri nell'Europa latina medievale", Dianoia. Rivista di filosofia, 32 (2021), pp. 19-35;
2. Stefano Simonetta, "Ockham e il papa" and "Marsilio da Padova e John Wyclif", in "Il pensiero politico medievale", ed. by Mt. Fumagalli Beonio Brocchieri, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2000, pp. 145-164, 165-198;
3. Maurizio Merlo, "Marsilio da Padova. Il pensiero della politica come grammatica del mutamento", Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2003, pp. 9-40.
Scans of the texts (within the legal limits) will be made available on the Ariel platform.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of a 30 minutes oral exam, whose purpose is to test the knowledge and skills acquired by students. The grading system for the final exam is based on a 0-30 scale, 18 being the lowest passing mark. Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the handbook, of the texts and of the essays examined during the course (knowledge);
- ability to understand concepts and arguments (understanding)
- ability to critically evaluate different interpretations of texts and historical problems (development);
- use of language (exposition).
- knowledge of the handbook, of the texts and of the essays examined during the course (knowledge);
- ability to understand concepts and arguments (understanding)
- ability to critically evaluate different interpretations of texts and historical problems (development);
- use of language (exposition).
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Simonetta Stefano
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
every Monday, from 10 am to 1 pm
Department of Philosophy, first floor