27280 - Seminars (1) (G.C)

Learning outcomes

The philosophy Seminars propose general objectives, which are those specific teaching seminar: (1) to train the students to philosophical discussion urging participation in conferences and presentations of Italian and foreign scholars; (2) deepen the topics of the courses through participation in philosophical lectures by specialists also of other universities; (3) broaden their thematic and methodological horizons to complete offered teaching.

Course contents

The seminar Political Ecology and Philosophy of Work aims first of all at understanding the connection between ecology and politics. Secondly, the analysis will focus on the category of work, examined from a philosophical perspective. The focus will be on the interaction between these two core themes, which, after all, is fundamental to political ecology as an autonomous field of study: the idea on which the latter is based, in point of fact, is that the relationship between society and the environment is not “natural” or immediate, but must instead be analyzed through a specific methodological filter, provided by the concept of mode of production.

The historical transformations of the link between value (understood as the differentia specifica of capitalism) and nature will therefore be investigated through the distinction between environmental degradation – a phenomenon that can potentially be found in all societies, everywhere and at all times – and ecological crisis – an imbalance originating from accumulation as an essential dynamic of capitalist modernity.

With regard to the evolution of the phenomenal forms of the ecological crisis, the profoundly variable intertwining of three dynamic elements will be of particular interest: economic growth, reduction of inequalities and environmental protection. Against this backdrop, the implications of an ecologico-political critique of socio-economic development will be the focus of reflection in the second part of the seminar. In particular, we will discuss:

a) the transformation of structures aimed at managing environmental crises (with particular reference to the institutional architecture of transnational climate governance); and

b) the content and forms of trade union platforms which, starting from an unprecedented interest in environmental dynamics, have intertwined the ecological crisis and the centrality of labour in an original way through the concept of Just Transition.

Readings/Bibliography

Carlo Baghetti et al (a cura di), Ecologia e lavoro. Dialoghi interdisciplinari, Milano, Mimesis, 2023.

Stefania Barca, Forze di riproduzione. Per una ecologia politica femminista, Milano: Edizioni Ambiente, 2024.

Giovanni Mari et al (a cura di), Idee di lavoro e di ozio per la nostra civiltà, Firenze University Press, 2024, OPEN ACCESS, URL: https://books.fupress.it/catalogue/idee-di-lavoro-e-di-ozio-per-la-nostra-civilt/13650.

Luigi Pellizzoni (a cura di), Introduzione all’ecologia politica, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2023.

Teaching methods

The seminar includes a few introductory lectures and sessions dedicated to the analysis and discussion of readings in class. Depending on the number of participants, individual or group presentations will be organized.

A high level of interactivity is pursued, also using interactive technologies in class.

The seminar does not include a final exam: students will be encouraged to actively participate in class discussions.

Assessment methods

The seminar does not include a final exam: students will be required to actively participate in class discussions.

Students are expected to attend lessons in person and must attend at least 11 out of the 15 sessions. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class.

Students are invited to enroll via Virtuale.

Only the following are exempt from the attendance requirement:

• Students who are abroad on an Erasmus program
• Students who work and can provide proof that their working hours make attendance impossible
• Students with a disability certificate
• Students with a medical certificate

Only for these categories of students, eligibility will be obtained by taking a short oral examination. More info beginning of seminar.

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Teaching tools

As per Unibo policy, classes are conducted in presence, with the support of computer, video beamer and digital whiteboard.

The teaching material consists of the syllabus, presentations prepared by the teacher and case studies. When not protected by copyright, the teaching material is made available to students through the teaching platform of the University of Bologna. Copyrighted texts in the syllabus are available at the FILCOM library and at other libraries of the University of Bologna.

Office hours

See the website of Emanuele Leonardi