OVERVIEW

The course is divided into two parts. The first part is devoted to a historical-theoretical mapping of the categories of the human in contemporary philosophical anthropology. The second part focuses on recent proposals from feminist philosophies that – through an imaginative critique of concepts, practices and worlds – elaborate original answers to the questions of anthropocentrism and anthropocene. In particular, the positions of Donna Haraway and Rosi Braidotti will be explored.  

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course intend to explore issue of human nature, for reflection and reasoning concerning the relationship between man and nature, man and culture, etc.. The main goals are: - Explore the most important philosophical anthropology's issues and its historical views - Explain the difference between philosophical approach and human sciences methodology - Understand issues and anthropological involvments in educational contexts and develop guideline for action, consistent wiht critical thiking.

TEACHING METHODS

Combination of traditional lectures and textual analysis and discussion, in little and big groups. A participatory teaching approach will be used; the operational and project involvement of students will be stimulated. A supplementary bibliography, a filmography, and a list of artistic works and performances will be provided. It will be at the complete discretion of the students to choose to discuss some of this material at the examination. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course explores the main concepts and issues of contemporary philosophical anthropology: the characterization of the human; the complex relationship between nature and culture; life and the living being; body and corporeality; the relationship between human world, animal environment and plant environment. Some proposals developed within feminist philosophies will also be explored, which provide a critique of the anthropocentric perspective and elaborate alternative, sustainable and inclusive visions. In particular, the theme of multi-species co-creation, cyborg theory, and the problem of the posthuman will be explored.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. Vallori Rasini, L’essere umano. Percorsi dell’antropologia filosofica contemporanea, Carocci, Roma, 2008 (ristampa 2018).

2. Introduzione e due capitoli a scelta del volume Donna Haraway, Chthulucene. Sopravvivere su un pianeta infetto, NERO, Roma 2019.

3. Introduzione e i primi due capitoli del volume: Rosi Braidotti, Il postumano. La vita oltre l’individuo, oltre la specie, oltre la morte, DeriveApprodi, Roma, 2014 (ristampa 2020).

4. Stefano Mancuso, La nazione delle piante, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2019.       

Attending students are exempt from the volume referred to in point 4. 

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIOVANNA MIOLLI (President)

EMANUELA ABBATECOLA

ALESSANDRA MODUGNO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Start of class: 3rd March 2021 

End of class: 13 May 2021 

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

A. Attending students: one written text (to be handed in at least 15 days before the oral examination) and final oral exam.

B. Non-attending students: oral exam

ASSESSMENT METHODS

A. Attending students:  the written assignment consists in structuring an educational project for primary or secondary school classes. The project must ideate and articulate some ways in which the concepts explored in relation to Donna Haraway’s book Chthulucene (point 2 of the bibliography) can be “translated” and put into practice in an educational context. Examples will be provided to facilitate the students’ task. The draft of this educational project will be used to verify the acquisition of the skills tested in class and the knowledge of the volume in question. The oral examination focuses on the critical discussion of the texts mentioned in points 1 and 3 of the bibliography. The exam aims at verifying knowledge of the subject matter, understanding and connection of problems, reasoning, debating, personal reworking.

B. Non-attending students: the oral exam will focus on the critical discussion of the assigned texts (points 1., 2., 3. and 4. of the bibliography). The exam aims at verifying knowledge of the subject matter, understanding and connection of problems, reasoning, debating, personal reworking.

Exam schedule