29424 - Seminars (1) (LM) (G.C)

Learning outcomes

The Philosophy Seminars have as their educational objectives those specific to seminar teaching: (1) to train students in philosophical argumentation by soliciting discussions on the topics and texts, including in the original language, presented in meetings with Italian and foreign scholars; (2) to broaden and deepen philosophical knowledge through participation in lectures given by specialists in the various fields of philosophical knowledge; (3) to compare the different methodological approaches to philosophy as a complement to curricular teaching.

Course contents

What is fascism?

Over time, the category of fascism has become a broad conceptual framework whose application has expanded to encompass different eras, regimes and political cultures. Originally intended to define a specific historical period (between the 1920s and the 1940s) and a particular country (Italy), it has ultimately come to define a general phenomenon. Situated at the crossroads of contemporary history, political philosophy and the history of political thought, the concept of fascism has also entered political language and public discourse, being constantly invoked and employed in a wide variety of contexts. Whilst this highlights the analytical potential of the concept, it has also exposed it to widespread and improper use, thereby partly emptying it of its meaning and interpretative value. The seminar therefore aims to reconstruct and discuss the ways in which the concept of ‘fascism’ (and the scope of its application) has come to be defined. It will begin with the historical period in which the concept emerged (the immediate post-war period, 1919-1922), before examining its subsequent reinterpretations and interpretations during the interwar period, and finally reviewing some examples of how, from 1945 onwards and up to the present day, this political category has been relied upon to describe specific situations and to provide a general definition of political cultures and movements. The aim is to develop a critical awareness of the category and its use.

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested reading

The texts listed here provide an overview of the various interpretations of fascism. Other texts, particularly by contemporary authors and key figures in the debate on fascism, will be discussed and analysed during the seminar.

Enzo Collotti, Fascismo, fascismi, Sansoni;

Renzo De Felice, Il fascismo. Le interpretazioni dei contemporanei e degli storici, Laterza;

Emilio Gentile, Fascismo. Storia e interpretazione, Laterza;

Il fascismo italiano. Storia e interpretazioni, a cura di Giulia Albanese, Carocci;

Federico Marcon, Fascism. The history of a word, The University of Chicago Press;

Ferran Gallego, El evangelio fascista, Critica;

Edda Saccomani, Le interpretazioni sociologiche del fascismo, Loescher;

Hannah Arendt, Le origini del totalitarismo, Einaudi;

Barrington Moore jr., Le origini sociali della dittatura e della democrazia, Edizioni di Comunità;

Federico Finchelstein, Dai fascismi ai populismi: Storia, politica e demagogia nel mondo attuale, Donzelli;

F. Finchelstein, Mitologie fasciste. Storia e politica dell'irrazionale, Donzelli;

Roberto Esposito, Il fascismo e noi. Un'interpretazione filosofica, Einaudi;

Andrea Martini, Fascismo immaginario. Riscrivere il passato a destra, Laterza;

Teaching methods

The seminar includes general interventions by the lecturer in order to set and define the historical and conceptual frame of reference, then collective classroom reading and discussion of texts and documentary materials. The primary objectives are to develop critical and interpretive skills through work on texts, to acquire the aptitude for conceptual synthesis and the interweaving of different points of view contextualized in different eras

Assessment methods

In order to obtain the qualification, students must write a short report agreed with the lecturer based on the topics covered in the seminar and the particular interests that emerged during the course. The report may be presented and discussed collectively during the seminar. If there are reasons that prevent such a presentation, the report may be presented at a later date and discussed with the teacher in monthly meetings after the end of the seminar.

To be considered attending, students must be present at at least two-thirds of the meetings.


Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities: it is recommended that you contact the relevant university office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it) in good time: it will be their responsibility to propose any adjustments to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance for approval by the teacher, who will assess their appropriateness in relation to the educational objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Texts, images and documentary sources. Possible interventions in the discussion by researchers and experts in the topic.

Office hours

See the website of Luca Baldissara