00983 - History of Political Thought (M-Z)

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide an orientation in the theoretical and practical issues debated in the history of political thought in modern and contemporary times. At the end of the course the student knows the ways in which the main traditions of political thought and their main conceptual and structural characteristics were formed; possesses analysis tools to understand the links that link the elaboration of political doctrines with the historical development of social dynamics and of state and international political institutions.

Course contents

The course deals with the history of political doctrines as a field of knowledge handed down in the texts of the main European political thinkers, starting with Machiavelli. Between caesura and continuity, each historical context presents doctrines aimed at understanding the internal life of political units and their external relations, ways of understanding and practicing them. The state and relations between states are therefore central to the study of political doctrines and the concept of power is a cardinal hub in the history of Western political thought.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students

C. Galli ed., Il pensiero politico moderno, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017; R. Gherardi ed., La politica e gli Stati, Roma, Carocci, 2011; M. Chiaruzzi, Politica di potenza nell'età del Leviatano, Bologna, il Mulino, 2008.

Non-attending students

C. Galli ed., Il pensiero politico moderno, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017; R. Gherardi ed., La politica e gli Stati, Roma, Carocci, 2022; R. Gherardi ed., Relazioni fra gli Stati: pace e guerra, Bologna, Clueb, 2011; M. Chiaruzzi, Politica di potenza nell'età del Leviatano, Bologna, il Mulino, 2008.

Optional individual support texts

Enciclopedia del pensiero politico, diretta da R. Esposito e C. Galli, Bari, Editori Laterza, 2000 e ss; Dizionario delle opere filosofiche, a cura di F. Volpi, Milano, Bruno Mondadori, 2000 e ss. (remake of the Lexikon der philosophischen Werke), edited by F. Volpi, Milan, Bruno Mondadori, 2000 and ss.

Teaching methods

Traditional lessons. After the first lesson, attending students must register on the teacher-student distribution list called michele.chiaruzzi.sd within the 1st week of lessons and attend them regularly. The list will be closed after the 1st week. Those who are not enrolled in the list and those absent for more than four lessons in each study and verification session are considered non-attending. All notices regarding the course and the exams will be communicated in class, barring unforeseen events communicated through the aforementioned list.

Assessment methods

The course includes written tests for intermediate examinations lasting 45 'with open-ended questions. The timing of the tests will be communicated in class. The final grade of the course is given by the weighted average of the tests. In case of insufficient final grade or absence from a test, students will take an exam on the entire program during the official sessions, similarly to non-attending students. All the checks are each dealt with on a single date and cannot in any case be repeated or sustained on another date. Outside these dates, the exam is taken only as non-attending students. The dates and times of the tests for attending students are communicated during the course.
Participation in the tests is reserved for students attending and enrolled in the teacher-student distribution list called michele.chiaruzzi.sd.
For any question concerning the results of the exams, it is possible to contact the tutor of the History of Political Doctrines course, prof. Roberta Ferrari: roberta.ferrari6@unibo.it

Teaching tools

Notices and information regarding the course and exams will be communicated in class, barring unforeseen events communicated through the teacher-student distribution list called michele.chiaruzzi.sd
For any question, it is possible to contact the Tutor of the History of Political Doctrines course, prof. Roberta Ferrari: roberta.ferrari6@unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Michele Chiaruzzi