OVERVIEW

What is emancipation? What is the relationship between subjective and collective actions in emancipatory projects? What is the relationship between emancipation and freedom? These are the questions we will address in this course. To do so, we will go through Frederick Douglass, Karl Marx and John Stuart Mill. Through conceptual reading and discussion of texts and philosophical problems, seminars will help students to examine different way of theorizing emancipation and to master key concepts in contemporary critical theory.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course aims to give participants a conceptual toolbox to master contemporary debates about social behaviours, ideology, and forms of emancipation. The course will examine the consequences and responses to forms of political, social and economic domination. We will go on to read and discuss key texts and debates in social theory. This course will provide students with the vocabulary and conceptual tools to navigate public and scholarly debates about power, inclusion, emancipation, as well as foundational discussions about individuals and structures.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Develop capacities in critical reading, and thinking;

Develop a vocabulary to study and assess different works in contemporary social and political philosophy;

Acquire knowledge of foundational concepts in social and political theory;

Develop capacities in critical reading, thinking, writing and public speaking;

Cultivate collaborative learning, reasoning, and writing skills; 

Gain control of concepts such as "emancipation" and "collective action".

PREREQUISITES

The course will be held in English. Students are expected to read books and comment on selected passages in English. 

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures and classroom discussions.

Seminars will be held in a hybrid format (in person & online streaming on Teams -CRITICAL POLITICAL THEORY, code: 7utqazh)

Some readings are difficult in that they involve mastering several concepts. Participation is therefore strongly recommended. 

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Emancipation: Marx, Douglass, Mill

Part I. Marx

K. Marx, Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844 (selected passages)

K. Marx, The German Ideology (selected passages)

K. Marx, Capital. Volume I: The Process of Production of Capital (selected passages)

Part II. Douglass

F. Douglass, The Portable Frederick Douglass (selected passages)

K. Marx, Capital. Volume I: The Process of Production of Capital (selected passages)

Part III. Mill

J.S. Mill, On Liberty (selected passages)

J.S. Mill, The Subjection of Women

The final reading list will be uploaded to AulaWeb before the start of semester.

F. Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Emancipation: Marx, Douglass, Mill

K. Marx, Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts of 1844 (selected passages)

K. Marx, The German Ideology (selected passages)

F. Douglass, The Portable Frederick Douglass (selected passages)

K. Marx, Capital. Volume I: The Process of Production of Capital (selected passages)

J.S. Mill, On Liberty (selected passages)

J.S. Mill, The Subjection of Women

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CORRADO FUMAGALLI (President)

FEDERICO ZUOLO

VALERIA OTTONELLI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

28/09/21

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

EXAM DESCRIPTION

"Studenti frequentanti"

Assessment methods will be presented in class. 

"Studenti non frequentanti"

An oral exam on 2 of the 3 following books

J.S Mill, On Liberty

K. Marx, Capital. Volume 1 (selected passages, please email me @ corrado.fumagalli@unige.it) 

F. Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During the oral exam the student should: display a good knowledge of the literature; compare reading; assess and discuss readings; display a critical attitude.

Exam schedule