B8315 - STORIA DEL PENSIERO POLITICO (A-L)

Learning outcomes

The objective of the course is to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the theoretical and practical issues that have shaped the history of Western political thought in the modern and contemporary periods. Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired: a thorough knowledge of the processes through which the principal traditions of political thought have emerged, along with their fundamental conceptual and structural features; the analytical tools necessary to interpret the interconnections between the development of political doctrines and the historical evolution of social dynamics and political institutions, both at the national and international levels; and the ability to critically assess the historical and doctrinal dimensions of the relationship between war and politics

Course contents

The course, delivered through lectures, introduces students to the history of political thought as a fundamental field within the Western intellectual tradition, reconstructed through the study of the texts of the major political thinkers. By examining both elements of continuity and processes of historical change, the course explores the principal doctrines developed to understand both the organization of political life within communities and states and the relations among political entities in the international sphere.

The course focuses on modern and contemporary political thought through the analysis of two central themes: the concept of liberty and the relationship between peace and war. Particular attention will be devoted to:

• the evolution of conceptions of liberty in modern and contemporary political thought;
• the relationship between liberalism and democracy from the age of revolutions to contemporary political debates;
• theories of government and political regimes, from their origins in classical political thought to their modern and contemporary developments;
• the concepts of peace and war, examined through the writings of the major authors of the Western political tradition.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will have acquired the conceptual and methodological tools necessary to critically understand the evolution of the main categories of modern and contemporary political thought and to contextualise political theories within their respective historical settings.

Readings/Bibliography

Texts for the Mid-Term Assessments

R. Gherardi (a cura di), La politica e gli Stati, Roma, Carocci, 2022 (terza edizione);

F. Raschi, Un liberalismo (quasi) introvabile, Le Monnier, 2025;

Texts for the Final Examination

A. Campi, M. Chiaruzzi (a cura di), Pensiero politico e relazioni internazionali. dalla modernità al mondo globale, Rubbettino, Soveria Mannelli, 2025(the authors to be studied will be specified during the course);

Further bibliographical references will be provided at the beginning of the course and will also be posted on this page.

Additional Readings for Non-Attending Students

Non-attending students are required to contact the professor by e-mail well in advance of the examination date in order to agree on the final syllabus. The syllabus for non-attending students differs from that for attending students and, in addition to the text listed below, may include further readings to be specified by the professor.

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students ) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching methods

The course consists of 30 lectures and aims to introduce students to the acquisition of the basic conceptual and theoretical tools through the reading and conceptual analysis of classic texts by political authors, aimed at providing the conceptual tools and vocabulary proper to the history of modern and contemporary political thought.

Assessment methods

Assessment Methods for Attending Students

For attending students, three mid-term written tests will be administered on the institutional part of the course syllabus. Each test is intended as an assessment tool aimed at progressively evaluating students’ individual learning outcomes throughout the course.

Each test will consist of:

- 10 multiple-choice questions;

- 4 open-ended questions.

The time allowed for each test is 40 minutes.

Participation in the mid-term tests is restricted to students who regularly attend classes. For this purpose, the instructor reserves the right to verify attendance through signature collection during the semester

Students who successfully complete all three written tests will be admitted to a final supplementary written examination based on the monographic text—either a single text or one selected from a list proposed by the instructor—which will be presented during the course.

Students who fail one of the tests (either due to an insufficient grade or absence) will be required to retake it. Students may also choose to retake one test whose result they consider unsatisfactory, provided that the other two tests have been passed. Retake examinations will take place during the official examination sessions, subject to prior notification to the instructor by e-mail when registering for the examination.

Admission to the final supplementary examination requires a passing weighted average across the three mid-term tests. Any failed test must be retaken during an official examination session, concurrently with the final supplementary examination. If the weighted average remains below the passing threshold, attending students will be required to sit a comprehensive written examination covering the entire course syllabus during an official examination session.

Final Examination

The final assessment is designed to evaluate both students’ knowledge of portions of the syllabus that have not yet been assessed, and their ability to analyze, synthesize, and critically engage with the topics covered, as well as their understanding of new texts. The assessment will be written and will consist of two open-ended questions on the authors indicated in the syllabus.

The overall assessment will take into account:

 

• knowledge of the topics and authors studied;
• the ability to use the appropriate disciplinary terminology;
• the capacity for critical analysis of concepts and problems;
• the ability to identify theoretical and conceptual connections among different authors and traditions of political thought.

The final grade is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the grades obtained in the three mid-term written tests and the final supplementary examination. This assessment method is intended to evaluate both students’ mastery of the various parts of the syllabus and their ability to develop a comprehensive and critically informed understanding of the subject matter.

 

Criteria for awarding grades, for both attending and non-attending students:

Excellent (29–30 cum laude)

Students demonstrate a thorough, comprehensive, and well-structured knowledge of the topics covered, complete mastery of the disciplinary language, independent judgement, and highly developed critical thinking skills. Answers are rigorous, relevant, and consistently well argued.

Very Good (27–28)

Students demonstrate a solid knowledge of the subject matter, good analytical and synthetic abilities, and appropriate use of specialised terminology. Minor inaccuracies may be present but do not significantly affect the overall quality of the performance.

Satisfactory / Good (22–26)

Students demonstrate an overall adequate preparation, although their knowledge may be predominantly descriptive or based on memorisation. Analytical and synthetic skills are present but not always fully developed. Language use is generally appropriate, despite some inaccuracies.

Pass (18–21)

Students possess the minimum knowledge required by the syllabus but show evident gaps in their understanding of the topics and in their use of disciplinary terminology. Their presentation may be simple and occasionally imprecise, yet sufficient to demonstrate basic competence.

Fail (below 18)

The examination reveals significant deficiencies in knowledge of the subject matter, inadequate use of disciplinary terminology, and difficulties in understanding and navigating the course contents. Such shortcomings prevent the achievement of the minimum learning outcomes required for a passing grade.

Assessment Methods for Non-Attending Students

Non-attending students will sit a final written examination consisting of 15 questions covering a syllabus to be agreed with the professor by e-mail sufficiently in advance of the examination session. The syllabus for non-attending students may differ from that prescribed for attending students. The duration of the examination is 100 minutes.

 

Teaching tools

Readings from classical texts; Power Point presentations

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Raschi