00983 - History of Political Doctrines (O-Z)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will know the fundamental moments and authors in the history of modern and contemporary political thought; knows the forms of political communication and understands the problematic relationship and the mutual influence between ideas and facts: knows the main political theories and is able to correctly contextualize them: is able to recognize the most important political and institutional changes in western history.

Course contents

In our study of the history of Western political thought we will adopt the perspective of the history of ideas and of constitutional history, as they have been developed by such authors as Quentin Skinner and Reinhart Koselleck. We will examine the main concepts in the vocabulary of politics, such as State, sovereignty, liberty, equality, power and so on.

Readings/Bibliography

I) One mandatory reading for all students:

R. Gherardi (ed.), La politica e gli Stati. Problemi e figure del pensiero occidentale , Roma, Carocci, 2013.

II) One work to be chosen in the following list:

R. Caporali,Uguaglianza, Bologna, Il Mulino,2012.

C. De Pascale, Giustizia, Bologna, Il MUlino, 2010.

E. Greblo, Democrazia, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2000.

P.P. Portinaro, Stato, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1999.

M. Ricciardi, Rivoluzione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2001.

Teaching methods

30 classes of 2 hours each for a total of 60 hours.

Assessment methods

Students who attend the classes will have an intermediate written exam on the first part of the course and a final written exam on the second part of the course as well as on the thematic part which will be illustrated in the classes.

Students who do not attend the classes will take the total exam in one day, consisting in a written test and an oral part. The test will be on the general part of the course (see R. Gherardi (ed.). La politica e gli Stati, Rome, Carocci, 2013. The oral exam will cover both the required reading and the additional mandatory reading.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Giorgini