The course introduces the major themes in western political thought from ancient times to contemporary public life – the idea of democracy, the principles of political obligation, constitutionalism, utopianism, the concept of civil and political rights, the relation between economy and politics. – by analyzing their conceptual development in the works of major authors, and by focusing on the link between such themes and the social and institutional contexts.
Knowing and understanding the main features of the history of political thought, from ancient Greece to the 20th century, by retracing their historical context and by critically analyzing the thought of the most prominent authors.
Aims:
- Defining context and purpose of the history of political thought
- Assessing the main themes of Western political thought by way of precise and specific lectures
- Introducing students to the knowledge of the most important works in the history of political thought
- Supplying intellectual tools in order to grasp the meaning of contemporary debates
Learning Outcomes:
- Comprehension and commentary of classic and contemporary texts
- Reinforcement of argumentative skills as to political issues
- Ability to grasp the historical and conceptual roots of contemporary debates
- Interest for political phenomena
- Basic knowledge of historical eras and philosophical schools
Traditional lectures, reading of classic, modern and contemporary texts plus direct participation of students by means, as well, of the online platform Aulaweb.
Power and/or Fantasy: Utopia and Dystopia from Plato to The Handmaid’s Tale
The course will focus on the long-lasting tradition of utopian thought, running from Plato through Thomas More and Francis Bacon till the dystopian nightmares depicted by Aldous Huxley, George Orwell and, more recently, Margaret Atwood, questioning its inner logic, the vision of power and individual liberty it endorses and trying to appreciate why reasoning on utopianism could help us in the understanding of present-day political dilemmas.
For students who attend classes on a regular basis (cfu 6):
1) L. Mumford, Storia dell’utopia, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2017;
2) A book chosen among the following:
- E. Zamjatin, Noi, Milano, Mondadori, 2018;
- A Huxley, Il mondo nuovo, Milano, Mondadori, 2016;
- G. Orwell, 1984, Milano, Mondadori, 2016;
- M. Atwood, Il racconto dell’ancella (The Handmaid’s Tale), Milano, Ponte alle Grazie, 2017.
For students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis (cfu 6):
- T. Moro, Utopia, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2016;
- T. Campanella, La città del sole, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2014;
- F. Bacone, La nuova Atlantide, Milano, B.U.R., 2009.
3) A book chosen among the following:
For students who attend classes on a regular basis (cfu 9):
For students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis (cfu 9):
3) Two books chosen among the following:
Ricevimento: First semester: Monday 3-5 PM, Via Balbi 30/24 (7th floor). Second semester: Monday 2-4 PM, DAFIST, Via Balbi 30/24 (7th floor).
ALBERTO GIORDANO (President)
MIRELLA PASINI
DANIELE ROLANDO
February 12, 2019
The exam will be carried out by means of an oral test.
The final test will ascertain the students’ knowledge and comprehension of classic and contemporary texts, the reinforcement of their argumentative skills as to political issues and the ability to grasp the historical and conceptual roots of contemporary debates.
Students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis, are kindly asked to get in touch with prof. Giordano by writing an e-mail to alberto.giordano@tiscali.it.
