OVERVIEW

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.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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 AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

PREREQUISITES

- Interest for political phenomena

- Basic knowledge of historical eras and philosophical schools

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures will be held in presence, if possible. But students will have the oppurtunity to attend online lectures too (the code to attend classes on Teams platform is: 3pyormn).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Talkin' Bout a Revolution.The Intellectual History of Socialism and Marxism

The course will deal with the crucial steps in the development of socialist and marxist political theories, We'll begin with the roots of humanitarian socialism to continue with the huge contribution by Marx (and Engels), face the most significant evolutions of the twentieth century and finally focus on contemporary debates.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For students who attend classes on a regular basis (cfu 6):

1) G. Claeys, Marx e il marxismo, Torino, Einaudi, 2020.

2) A book chosen among the following:

- S. Audier, Il socialismo liberale, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2017;

- A. Bown, Capitalismo & Candy Crush, Roma, Nero edizioni, 2019;

- S. Federici, Genere e Capitale. Per una lettura femminista di Marx, Roma, DeriveApprodi, 2020;

- M. Fisher, Realismo capitalista, Roma, Nero edizioni, 2018;

- P. P. Pasolini, Scritti corsari, Milano, Garzanti, 2015 (pages 5-64, 77-93, 98-104, 122-140, 155-168, 175-183, 226-236).

For students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis (cfu 6):

1) G. Claeys, Marx e il marxismo, Torino, Einaudi, 2020.

2) A book chosen among the following:

- A. Bown, Capitalismo & Candy Crush, Roma, Nero edizioni, 2019;

- S. Federici, Genere e Capitale. Per una lettura femminista di Marx, Roma, DeriveApprodi, 2020;

- K. Marx – F. Engels, Manifesto del partito comunista, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2017.

3) A book chosen among the following:

- S. Audier, Il socialismo liberale, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2017;

- M. Fisher, Realismo capitalista, Roma, Nero edizioni, 2018;

- P. P. Pasolini, Scritti corsari, Milano, Garzanti, 2015 (pages 5-64, 77-93, 98-104, 122-140, 155-168, 175-183, 226-236).

For students who attend classes on a regular basis (cfu 9):

1) G. Claeys, Marx e il marxismo, Torino, Einaudi, 2020.

2) A book chosen among the following:

- A. Bown, Capitalismo & Candy Crush, Roma, Nero edizioni, 2019;

- S. Federici, Genere e Capitale. Per una lettura femminista di Marx, Roma, DeriveApprodi, 2020;

- K. Marx – F. Engels, Manifesto del partito comunista, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2017.

3) A book chosen among the following:

- S. Audier, Il socialismo liberale, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2017;

- M. Fisher, Realismo capitalista, Roma, Nero edizioni, 2018;

- P. P. Pasolini, Scritti corsari, Milano, Garzanti, 2015 (pages 5-64, 77-93, 98-104, 122-140, 155-168, 175-183, 226-236).

For students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis (cfu 9):

1) G. Claeys, Marx e il marxismo, Torino, Einaudi, 2020.

2) K. Marx – F. Engels, Manifesto del partito comunista, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2017.

3) Two books chosen among the following:

- S. Audier, Il socialismo liberale, Milano-Udine, Mimesis, 2017;

- A. Bown, Capitalismo & Candy Crush, Roma, Nero edizioni, 2019;

- S. Federici, Genere e Capitale. Per una lettura femminista di Marx, Roma, DeriveApprodi, 2020;

- M. Fisher, Realismo capitalista, Roma, Nero edizioni, 2018;

- P. P. Pasolini, Scritti corsari, Milano, Garzanti, 2015 (pages 5-64, 77-93, 98-104, 122-140, 155-168, 175-183, 226-236).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ALBERTO GIORDANO (President)

MIRELLA PASINI

DANIELE ROLANDO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 21.

Class schedule

HISTORY OF POLITICAL DOCTRINES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be carried out by means of an oral test.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

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.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

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@edu.unige.it.