History of Modern Political Philosophy
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a solid basic knowledge of the history of political philosophy. Students will acquire skills in textual and conceptual analysis. They will be able to place the classics of political philosophy in their historical and philosophical contexts. They will also be able to deal with the main historiographical interpretations, showing thereby that they have acquired good hermeneutic competences.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students can
- understand the concepts and lines of argument used by the authors;
- know the fundamental aspects of the history of Western political philosophy from antiquity to the contemporary period (with special focus on the classics);
- know the fundamental lexicon of political philosophy in its historical development;
- understand the relationships connecting the history of political philosophy to the history of scientific thought;
- master the basic methodological tools of the research in political philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students can
- apply the understanding of concepts and argumentative forms to the analysis of complex texts written by political philosophers;
- apply the knowledge acquired studying specific texts and authors to the historical understanding and philosophical contextualization of other works and thinkers;
- apply the political-philosophical lexicon to the analysis and discussion of contemporary problems;
- apply the understanding of the historical relationships between political philosophy and other forms of knowledge to the analysis and discussion of texts and problems;
- make use of basic methodological tools and bibliographic resources to the preparation of a scientific paper in the political-philosophical domain.
At the end of the course, students can
- understand the concepts and lines of argument used by the authors;
- know the fundamental aspects of the history of Western political philosophy from antiquity to the contemporary period (with special focus on the classics);
- know the fundamental lexicon of political philosophy in its historical development;
- understand the relationships connecting the history of political philosophy to the history of scientific thought;
- master the basic methodological tools of the research in political philosophy.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students can
- apply the understanding of concepts and argumentative forms to the analysis of complex texts written by political philosophers;
- apply the knowledge acquired studying specific texts and authors to the historical understanding and philosophical contextualization of other works and thinkers;
- apply the political-philosophical lexicon to the analysis and discussion of contemporary problems;
- apply the understanding of the historical relationships between political philosophy and other forms of knowledge to the analysis and discussion of texts and problems;
- make use of basic methodological tools and bibliographic resources to the preparation of a scientific paper in the political-philosophical domain.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
Realism and Utopia: Two Modern Traditions in Political Philosophy
Course Description:
This course introduces the key issues and foundational concepts of political philosophy, with a particular focus on two major intellectual traditions that have shaped its development in the modern era: political realism and utopian thought.
The realist tradition will be examined in depth through an analysis of two seminal texts in the history of modern political thought:
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
De Cive by Thomas Hobbes
The utopian tradition will be explored through two significant works:
Utopia by Thomas More
The Blazing World by Margaret Cavendish, one of the earliest utopian works written by a woman in the early modern period
In the final sessions, we will critically reflect on the historical development and conceptual tensions surrounding the categories of realism and utopia, considering their legacy and relevance in contemporary political thought.
The course includes lectures, class discussions, and student presentations.
Important Information:
Studying the teaching materials distributed in class, as well as the prefaces and introductions to the recommended editions of the texts listed in the bibliography, is an essential part of exam preparation.
Students who are retaking the exam must contact the professor to arrange any necessary adjustments to the programme.
The professor is available to discuss and approve partial changes to the syllabus upon motivated request, to be made during office hours.
Exam arrangements for students with disabilities and/or learning disorders must be discussed with the professor and arranged in coordination with the university's support office.
Course Description:
This course introduces the key issues and foundational concepts of political philosophy, with a particular focus on two major intellectual traditions that have shaped its development in the modern era: political realism and utopian thought.
The realist tradition will be examined in depth through an analysis of two seminal texts in the history of modern political thought:
The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli
De Cive by Thomas Hobbes
The utopian tradition will be explored through two significant works:
Utopia by Thomas More
The Blazing World by Margaret Cavendish, one of the earliest utopian works written by a woman in the early modern period
In the final sessions, we will critically reflect on the historical development and conceptual tensions surrounding the categories of realism and utopia, considering their legacy and relevance in contemporary political thought.
The course includes lectures, class discussions, and student presentations.
Important Information:
Studying the teaching materials distributed in class, as well as the prefaces and introductions to the recommended editions of the texts listed in the bibliography, is an essential part of exam preparation.
Students who are retaking the exam must contact the professor to arrange any necessary adjustments to the programme.
The professor is available to discuss and approve partial changes to the syllabus upon motivated request, to be made during office hours.
Exam arrangements for students with disabilities and/or learning disorders must be discussed with the professor and arranged in coordination with the university's support office.
Prerequisites for admission
No previous knowledge is necessary.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons, class discussion, student presentations.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
Shared part (6 cfu program):
1) S. Petrucciani, Modelli di Filosofia politica, Torino, Einaudi, 2003: capp. I, III, IV, V, VI, VII (manuale)
2) N. Machiavelli, Il Principe, nuova ed. a cura di G. Inglese, Torino, Einaudi, 2013
3) T. Moro, L'Utopia, pref. di M. Isnardi Parente, introd. di T. Fiore, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2012,
4) T. Hobbes, De cive. Elementi filosofici sul cittadino, a cura di T. Magri, Roma, Editori Riuniti University Press, 2009, lettera dedicatoria, prefazione ai lettori, prima parte (libertà), seconda parte (potere)
5) M. Cavendish, Il mondo sfavillante, introd. e trad. e note a cura di M.G. Nicolosi, Milano, VandA Edizioni, 2023
Additional part for 9 CFU program:
6) P. Portinaro, Il realismo politico, nuova ed., Brescia, Morcelliana, 2023
7) V. Ivo Comparato, Utopia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2005
NON attending students
Shared part (6 cfu program):
1) S. Petrucciani, Modelli di Filosofia politica, Torino, Einaudi, 2003: capp. I, III, IV, V, VI, VII (manuale)
2) N. Machiavelli, Il Principe, nuova ed. a cura di G. Inglese, Torino, Einaudi, 2013
3) T. Moro, L'Utopia, pref. di M. Isnardi Parente, introd. di T. Fiore, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2012
4) T. Hobbes, De cive. Elementi filosofici sul cittadino, a cura di T. Magri, Roma, Editori Riuniti University Press, 2009, lettera dedicatoria, prefazione ai lettori, prima parte (libertà), seconda parte (potere)
5) M. Cavendish, Il mondo sfavillante, introd. e trad. e note a cura di M.G. Nicolosi, Milano, VandA Edizioni, 2023
6) Q. Skinner, Machiavelli, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1999
7) N. Bobbio, Thomas Hobbes, Torino, Einaudi, 2004, cap. II (La teoria politica di Hobbes)
8) M.G. Sestito, Introduzione, in M. Cavendish, Bell In Campo, «Quaderni di Scienza & Politica», 2024, n. 14, disponibile on line:
https://amsacta.unibo.it/id/eprint/7594/1/Quad%2014%20SESTITO%20depositato.pdf
Additional part for 9 cpu program:
4) P. Portinaro, Il realismo politico, nuova ed., Brescia, Morcelliana, 2023
5) V. Ivo Comparato, Utopia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2005
Shared part (6 cfu program):
1) S. Petrucciani, Modelli di Filosofia politica, Torino, Einaudi, 2003: capp. I, III, IV, V, VI, VII (manuale)
2) N. Machiavelli, Il Principe, nuova ed. a cura di G. Inglese, Torino, Einaudi, 2013
3) T. Moro, L'Utopia, pref. di M. Isnardi Parente, introd. di T. Fiore, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2012,
4) T. Hobbes, De cive. Elementi filosofici sul cittadino, a cura di T. Magri, Roma, Editori Riuniti University Press, 2009, lettera dedicatoria, prefazione ai lettori, prima parte (libertà), seconda parte (potere)
5) M. Cavendish, Il mondo sfavillante, introd. e trad. e note a cura di M.G. Nicolosi, Milano, VandA Edizioni, 2023
Additional part for 9 CFU program:
6) P. Portinaro, Il realismo politico, nuova ed., Brescia, Morcelliana, 2023
7) V. Ivo Comparato, Utopia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2005
NON attending students
Shared part (6 cfu program):
1) S. Petrucciani, Modelli di Filosofia politica, Torino, Einaudi, 2003: capp. I, III, IV, V, VI, VII (manuale)
2) N. Machiavelli, Il Principe, nuova ed. a cura di G. Inglese, Torino, Einaudi, 2013
3) T. Moro, L'Utopia, pref. di M. Isnardi Parente, introd. di T. Fiore, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2012
4) T. Hobbes, De cive. Elementi filosofici sul cittadino, a cura di T. Magri, Roma, Editori Riuniti University Press, 2009, lettera dedicatoria, prefazione ai lettori, prima parte (libertà), seconda parte (potere)
5) M. Cavendish, Il mondo sfavillante, introd. e trad. e note a cura di M.G. Nicolosi, Milano, VandA Edizioni, 2023
6) Q. Skinner, Machiavelli, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1999
7) N. Bobbio, Thomas Hobbes, Torino, Einaudi, 2004, cap. II (La teoria politica di Hobbes)
8) M.G. Sestito, Introduzione, in M. Cavendish, Bell In Campo, «Quaderni di Scienza & Politica», 2024, n. 14, disponibile on line:
https://amsacta.unibo.it/id/eprint/7594/1/Quad%2014%20SESTITO%20depositato.pdf
Additional part for 9 cpu program:
4) P. Portinaro, Il realismo politico, nuova ed., Brescia, Morcelliana, 2023
5) V. Ivo Comparato, Utopia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2005
Assessment methods and Criteria
At the end of the course, students must take an oral examination consisting of two parts, both of which must be completed in the same session.
The first part assesses students' knowledge of the main developments in the history of political philosophy based on the course handbook (Pterucciani). The second part evaluates students' detailed understanding of the primary texts listed in the syllabus and their ability to identify and discuss the main philosophical and political issues addressed in these works.
More specifically, in the second part of the oral examination, students must be able to:
- Reconstruct the conceptual structure and general argumentative strategies employed in the works of Machiavelli, Hobbes, More and Cavendish;
-Comment on selected key passages from these texts, which must be brought to the examination (explaining the meaning of essential terms, highlighting internal tensions or problematic aspects, establishing links with other passages in the text...)
-discuss the main arguments found in the critical studies by Portinaro and Comparato.
The oral examination will be assessed on the following basis:
- knowledge of the history of political philosophy and political theory (content and clarity of exposition);
- analytical skills in interpreting philosophical concepts (comprehension);
Critical thinking and the ability to apply concepts independently; and
- Communication skills and the appropriateness of the language used.
Communication skills and appropriateness of language used.
Students who attend the course regularly may, if they wish, replace part of the oral examination with two written midterm examinations consisting of open-ended questions. These written examinations will be held at the one-third and two-thirds points of the course, respectively. In this case, the final grade (out of 30) will be the average of the grade obtained in the two written examinations and the final oral examination.
The first part assesses students' knowledge of the main developments in the history of political philosophy based on the course handbook (Pterucciani). The second part evaluates students' detailed understanding of the primary texts listed in the syllabus and their ability to identify and discuss the main philosophical and political issues addressed in these works.
More specifically, in the second part of the oral examination, students must be able to:
- Reconstruct the conceptual structure and general argumentative strategies employed in the works of Machiavelli, Hobbes, More and Cavendish;
-Comment on selected key passages from these texts, which must be brought to the examination (explaining the meaning of essential terms, highlighting internal tensions or problematic aspects, establishing links with other passages in the text...)
-discuss the main arguments found in the critical studies by Portinaro and Comparato.
The oral examination will be assessed on the following basis:
- knowledge of the history of political philosophy and political theory (content and clarity of exposition);
- analytical skills in interpreting philosophical concepts (comprehension);
Critical thinking and the ability to apply concepts independently; and
- Communication skills and the appropriateness of the language used.
Communication skills and appropriateness of language used.
Students who attend the course regularly may, if they wish, replace part of the oral examination with two written midterm examinations consisting of open-ended questions. These written examinations will be held at the one-third and two-thirds points of the course, respectively. In this case, the final grade (out of 30) will be the average of the grade obtained in the two written examinations and the final oral examination.
SPS/02 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Ceron Annalisa Antonia
Professor(s)
Reception:
Monday, 9.15-12.15. Please, write an e-mail to arrange an appointment.
Teams and/or office