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

Aim of the course: gaining knowledge and understanding of the outlines of the history of political thought from Antiquity to the twentieth century, reconstructed through historical contextualization and the critical analysis of the reflections of the most significant 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

Traditional lectures, reading of classic, modern and contemporary texts plus direct participation of students by means, as well, of the online platform Aulaweb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

A Brand New World is Possible: Freedom, Justice and Repudiated Rights in Utopian and Dystopian Political Thought 

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.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For students who attend classes on a regular basis

1) A book chosen among the following:

- F. Bacon, La nuova Atlantide, Milan: SE edizioni, 2022;

- T. Campanella, La città del sole, Milan: Feltrinelli, 2014;

- T. More, Utopia, Milan: Feltrinelli, 2016;

- G. Orwell, La fattoria degli animali, Milan: Mondadori, 2024.

2) Two books chosen among the following:

- N. Alderman, Il futuro, Milan: Feltrinelli, 2023;

- M. Atwood, Il racconto dell’ancella, Milan: Ponte alle Grazie, 2019;

- N. Holmqvist, L'unità, Rome: Fazi, 2024;

- A. Huxley, Il mondo nuovo, Milan: Mondadori, 2021;

- U. K. Le Guin, I reietti dell'altro pianeta. Un'ambigua utopia, Milan: Mondadori, 2025;

- G. Orwell, 1984, Milan: Mondadori, 2024.

For students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis

1) Two books chosen among the following:

- F. Bacon, La nuova Atlantide, Milan: SE edizioni, 2022;

- T. Campanella, La città del sole, Milan: Feltrinelli, 2014;

- T. More, Utopia, Milan: Feltrinelli, 2016;

- G. Orwell, La fattoria degli animali, Milan: Mondadori, 2024.

2) Two books chosen among the following:

- N. Alderman, Il futuro, Milan: Feltrinelli, 2023;

- M. Atwood, Il racconto dell’ancella, Milan: Ponte alle Grazie, 2019;

- N. Holmqvist, L'unità, Rome: Fazi, 2024;

- A. Huxley, Il mondo nuovo, Milan: Mondadori, 2021;

- U. K. Le Guin, I reietti dell'altro pianeta. Un'ambigua utopia, Milan: Mondadori, 2025;

- G. Orwell, 1984, Milan: Mondadori, 2024.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2026.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

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.

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. Students are kindly asked, as well, to register on the online platform Aulaweb before lessons begin-