- Docente: Giovanni Giorgini
- Credits: 10
- SSD: SPS/01
- Language: English
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
- Campus: Bologna
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Corso:
First cycle degree programme (L) in
Political, social and international sciences (cod. 8494)
Also valid for First cycle degree programme (L) in Philosophy (cod. 0957)
First cycle degree programme (L) in Arts (cod. 0958)
Learning outcomes
Political Philosophy is conceived as the application of philosophical investigation to politics and thus as a study of the contribution that philosophy may give to political practice. This implies both a clarification of the terms used in our everyday political vocabulary and an attempt at designing models of a just society. The course intends to provide the students with the following abilities: a) notions on methodology in historical investigation; b) ability to analytically read a text while at the same time situating it into the historical and linguistic context of the age; c) knowledge of the perennial tasks of political philosophy;d) knowledge of the historical and ideological origins of democracy.
Course contents
The course is devoted to an investigation of the
development of Plato's political thought, examined in the context
of the political doctrines of the age. The classes on Plato will be
preceded by three introductory classes on the meaning of 'political
philosophy' and the methodology in the history of political
thought.
Classes will be taught in English. The timetable will be posted as soon as it is available to me.
Readings/Bibliography
The texts for the exam are the following:
L. Strauss, The City and Man (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1978).
Plato, Gorgias ed. R. Waterfield (Oxford:
Oxford University Press, 2008).
Plato, The Republic, trans. C. Rowe (London: Penguin, 2012).
Foreign students are invited to contact the instructor for help
with the choice of texts. They are also welcome to study the
Italian texts listed in the Italian version of the
programme.
Teaching methods
30 classes of 2 hours each for a total of 60 hours.
Assessment methods
The final exam will consist in an oral discussion at the end of the course. During this discussion the instructor will evaluate the student's ability to identify the central notions of a text, to examine them critically and to argue consistently. Students who attend the classes may write a paper on a subject agreed with the instructor. The final exam will be in English; however, students who prefer to take it in Italian are allowed to do so.
Office hours
See the website of Giovanni Giorgini