History of Modern and Contemporary Political Philosophy
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical and methodological tools of the history of political philosophy. The student will be able to deal with the texts of the history of political philosophy in a rigorous and critical way; s/he will be able to recognize the main rhetorical devices and the conceptual structures at work in them; s/he will master those interdisciplinary skills necessary for the formulation of an autonomous critical judgment on the texts and their interpretation. The student will acquire the ability to apply the knowledge gained in the study of the history of political philosophy to the rethinking of contemporary political problems.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student:
1. masters in-depth knowledge of the theories and the themes dealt in the history of political philosophy, and can identify and discuss their crucial points;
2. surely masters the argumentative forms, concepts, and theoretical meaning of the texts in the history of political philosophy;
3. understands the diversity of interpretations to which texts in political philosophy are subjected in different historical, cultural and linguistic contexts;
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student:
1. Can critically apply the knowledge acquired studying specific texts and authors to the historical understanding and philosophical contextualization of other works and thinkers;
2. Can confidently and autonomously apply the acquired understanding of interpretations to texts and problems different from those previously studied;
3. Can surely master the methodological resources and bibliographic tools of political-philosophical research and s/he is able to produce original research, to discuss the results acquired.
At the end of the course, the student:
1. masters in-depth knowledge of the theories and the themes dealt in the history of political philosophy, and can identify and discuss their crucial points;
2. surely masters the argumentative forms, concepts, and theoretical meaning of the texts in the history of political philosophy;
3. understands the diversity of interpretations to which texts in political philosophy are subjected in different historical, cultural and linguistic contexts;
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student:
1. Can critically apply the knowledge acquired studying specific texts and authors to the historical understanding and philosophical contextualization of other works and thinkers;
2. Can confidently and autonomously apply the acquired understanding of interpretations to texts and problems different from those previously studied;
3. Can surely master the methodological resources and bibliographic tools of political-philosophical research and s/he is able to produce original research, to discuss the results acquired.
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
Individualism, communitarianism and solidarity-based individualism
The aim of the course is to reconstruct the birth of the idea of the individual in the modern age and to analyse its transformations in subsequent centuries. In the first part of the course we will trace the development of individualism through the elaboration of different theories of human nature. In the second part, we will retrace the history of individualism and the subsequent critique of communitarians, and we will question the transformations that individualism is undergoing under the impetus of neoliberal ideology and the new digital media. Finally, we will try to outline a new form of solidarity-based individualism.
The aim of the course is to reconstruct the birth of the idea of the individual in the modern age and to analyse its transformations in subsequent centuries. In the first part of the course we will trace the development of individualism through the elaboration of different theories of human nature. In the second part, we will retrace the history of individualism and the subsequent critique of communitarians, and we will question the transformations that individualism is undergoing under the impetus of neoliberal ideology and the new digital media. Finally, we will try to outline a new form of solidarity-based individualism.
Prerequisites for admission
No prior knowledge is required
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) V. Pazé, Il comunitarismo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2004.
3) E. Pulcini, L'individuo senza passioni. Individualismo moderno e perdita del legame sociale, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2001.
4) A. Colombo, Il suicidio della pace. Perché l'ordine internazionale liberale ha fallito (1989-2024), Milano, Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2025.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
5) F. Andolfi (a cura di), Individualismo solidale, Parma, MUP, 2023.
Non-attending students must supplement the syllabus with:
- F. Andolfi, L'individualismo solidale. Tratti storici e fondamenti teorici, in C. Altini (a cura di), Democrazia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2011, pp. 103-126.
1) A. Laurent, Storia dell'individualismo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1994.
2) V. Pazé, Il comunitarismo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2004.
3) E. Pulcini, L'individuo senza passioni. Individualismo moderno e perdita del legame sociale, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2001.
4) A. Colombo, Il suicidio della pace. Perché l'ordine internazionale liberale ha fallito (1989-2024), Milano, Raffaello Cortina Editore, 2025.
Additional assignments for 9 ECTS exam:
5) F. Andolfi (a cura di), Individualismo solidale, Parma, MUP, 2023.
Non-attending students must supplement the syllabus with:
- F. Andolfi, L'individualismo solidale. Tratti storici e fondamenti teorici, in C. Altini (a cura di), Democrazia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2011, pp. 103-126.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a preliminary written test, on a subject to be agreed upon, to be handed in to the professor at least two weeks before the oral examination. The oral 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 philosophy 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 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 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.
Parte A e B
SPS/02 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte 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.