History of Political Doctrines

A.Y. 2023/2024
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
SPS/02
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course provides the broad outlines of the history of political doctrines from antiquity to the modernity and the tools necessary to understand the main theoretical aspects of political reflection placed in its peculiar historical context.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course the student will be able to grasp theoretical continuity and conceptual peculiarities in the history of political thought from antiquity to modernity. They will also be able to place the most representative authors and works in their historical contexts and will be able to utilize specific language properties and lexicon appropriate to express, in a clear and effective form, philosophical-political concepts. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. The discussion around the proposed sources will be an essential moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Finally, participation in seminars and meetings proposed within the activities of the Department of Historical Studies will be of great importance.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of course: The search for freedom between the individual and society (18th-19th centuries) (60 hours, 9 cfu).

Part A (20 hours, 3 cfu): History of political theories (Modern Era).
Part B (20 hours, 3 cfu): History of political theories (Contemporary Period) and study of forms of government from antiquity to contemporary era
Part C (20 hours, 3 cfu): : The search for freedom between the individual and society

Preliminary written text and oral exam: For students only who regularly attend the course, during the last lesson there is an optional written exam relating to the first two parts, which can, at the student's discretion, replace the part of the oral exam relating to the first two parts. The oral exam consists of an interview on the program topics, aimed at ascertaining the student's knowledge of the history of political doctrines in general, of forms of government from antiquity to the contemporary era, and to discuss about democracy and freedom according to the authors proposed in the course
Prerequisites for admission
Must have an adeguate knowledge of the timelines of history in the western world from antiquity to the contemporary era.
The course is reserved exclusively for students of degree courses of Storia
Teaching methods
The course topics will be addressed through lectures.
Attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended. Students who attend at least two thirds of the lessons are considered attending students
Teaching Resources
For students who attended the lectures (parts A and B for 6 cfu; parts A, B e C for 9 cfu)

Part A
J.-J. Chevallier, Le grandi opere del pensiero politico. Da Machiavelli ai giorni nostri, Bologna, il Mulino

Part B
N. Bobbio, La teoria delle forme di governo nella storia del pensiero politico, Torino, Giappichelli

Part C
Two texts to choose from:
M. Bakunin, La libertà degli uguali, Elèuthera, Milano
B. Constant, La libertà degli antichi paragonata a quella dei moderni, Einaudi, Torino
W. Godwin, L'eutanasia dello stato, Elèuthera, Milano
P. Kropotkin, Scienza e anarchia, Elèuthera, Milano
J. Stuart Mill, Saggio sulla libertà, il Saggiatore, Milano
(the texts can also be read to other editions)

Exam program for students who did not attend the lectures (parts A and B, for 6 cfu; parts A, B e C, for 9 cfu)

Part A
J.-J. Chevallier, Le grandi opere del pensiero politico. Da Machiavelli ai giorni nostri, Bologna, il Mulino

Part B
N. Bobbio, La teoria delle forme di governo nella storia del pensiero politico, Torino, Giappichelli
(for 6 cfu non-attending students will also have to read: S. Varengo, Pagine anarchiche. Petr Kropotkin e il mensile Freedom (1886-1914), Biblion, Milano)

Part C
Two texts to choose from:
M. Bakunin, La libertà degli uguali, Elèuthera, Milano
B. Constant, La libertà degli antichi paragonata a quella dei moderni, Einaudi, Torino
W. Godwin, L'eutanasia dello stato, Elèuthera, Milano
P. Kropotkin, Scienza e anarchia, Elèuthera, Milano
J. Stuart Mill, Saggio sulla libertà, il Saggiatore, Milano
(the texts can also be brought to other editions)

(for 9 cfu non-attending students will also have to read: S. Varengo, Pagine anarchiche. Petr Kropotkin e il mensile Freedom (1886-1914), Biblion, Milano)
Assessment methods and Criteria
Preliminary written text and oral exam: For students only who regularly attend the course, during the last lesson there is an optional written exam relating to the first two parts, which can, at the student's discretion, replace the part of the oral exam relating to the first two parts. The oral exam consists of an interview on the program topics, aimed at ascertaining the student's knowledge of the history of political doctrines in general, of forms of government from antiquity to the contemporary era, and to discuss about freedom, individual and society according to the authors proposed in the course
SPS/02 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours