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

The Alternative Modernity. Socialism and Marxism from its Origins to Digital Capitalism

The course will deal with the crucial steps in the development of socialist and marxist political theories. We'll begin with the roots of utopian 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

1) A book chosen among the following:

- C. Lonzi, Sputiamo su Hegel e altri scritti, Milano, La Tartaruga, 2023 (pages pp. 9-75 e 137-143);

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

- O. Wilde, L'anima dell'uomo sotto il socialismo, in Id., Il critico come artista/L'anima dell'uomo sotto il socialismo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2015, pages 153-221.

2) A book chosen among the following:

- A. Bown, Il sogno videoludico. Come i videogiochi trasformano la nostra realtà, Roma, Luiss University Press, 2022; 

- B.-C. Han, Psicopolitica, new edition, Milano, Nottetempo, 2024;

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

3) A book chosen among the following:

- L. Eversmann, Karl Marx nell'era digitale, Roma, Luiss University Press, 2022;

- P. Magnette, Manifesto ecosocialista. Un futuro di benessere per tutti, Roma, Treccani libri, 2024;

- P. P. Pasolini, Scritti corsari, Milano, Garzanti, 2015.

For students who cannot attend classes on a regular basis

1) A book chosen among the following:

- C. Lonzi, Sputiamo su Hegel e altri scritti, Milano, La Tartaruga, 2023 (pages pp. 9-75 e 137-143);

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

- O. Wilde, L'anima dell'uomo sotto il socialismo, in Id., Il critico come artista/L'anima dell'uomo sotto il socialismo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2015, pages 153-221.

2) A book chosen among the following:

- A. Bown, Il sogno videoludico. Come i videogiochi trasformano la nostra realtà, Roma, Luiss University Press, 2022; 

- B.-C. Han, Psicopolitica, new edition, Milano, Nottetempo, 2024;

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

3) Two books chosen among the following:

- L. Eversmann, Karl Marx nell'era digitale, Roma, Luiss University Press, 2022;

-P. Magnette, Manifesto ecosocialista. Un futuro di benessere per tutti, Roma, Treccani libri, 2024;

- P. P. Pasolini, Scritti corsari, Milano, Garzanti, 2015.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 17, 2025.

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.