History of Contemporary Political Thought
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course is divided into three sections: in the first, we will analyze the development of the major political categories characterizing the 20th century in the world; in the second, the focus will be the main speeches concerning Italian political life of the twentieth century, also addressed from the point of view of political communication; in the third we will view some important thinkers of Italian anti-fascism. The aim of the course is to provide the student with an in-depth vision of contemporary political thought, in connection with the institutional, economic and social changes of the twentieth century, from the explosion of "imperialistic" conflicts to the problems related to the development of globalization.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, the student will have to acquire the appropriate Knowledge and Skills. Knowledge: they will have to master from a historical and terminological point of view the proposition of different political thoughts along the different dynamics of the twentieth century; their internal dynamics, their knowledge of how to propose themselves in the face of public opinion; their communicative reach to attract the citizenry to themselves. In this way, it is aimed to ensure the acquisition of in-depth knowledge in the fields of the history of political reflection and communication.
Skills: they should have the knowledge of how to confront the texts and speeches of a certain level of complexity connecting and interacting with a number of different political perspectives that developed along the succession of twentieth century events (wars, revolutions, socio-economic changes, etc.). They will also have to be able to maneuver through the political history of the twentieth century, identifying phases and thoughts both new and recurring, thus demonstrating the interpretive and historical tools suitable to understand the major problematic points of the contemporary world, from the perspective of political thought.
Skills: they should have the knowledge of how to confront the texts and speeches of a certain level of complexity connecting and interacting with a number of different political perspectives that developed along the succession of twentieth century events (wars, revolutions, socio-economic changes, etc.). They will also have to be able to maneuver through the political history of the twentieth century, identifying phases and thoughts both new and recurring, thus demonstrating the interpretive and historical tools suitable to understand the major problematic points of the contemporary world, from the perspective of political thought.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The Totalitarian State in the critiques of Italian socialism and anarchism
Part A (20 hours, 3 cfu): Outlines of history of contemporary political thought
Part B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Political speeches in 20th century Italy
Part C (20 hours, 3 cfu): criticism of Totalitarianism
In the first part, students will be shown which authors and currents were the most important of contemporary political thought, with the focus on the 20th century in particular. The second part will be dedicated to the analysis of the main discourses that have characterized the Italian political life of the twentieth century, and finally the third to deepen some socialist and anarchist authors (Berneri, Caffi, Fabbri and Rosselli) in Italy between the two world wars end after the second wold war.
Part A (20 hours, 3 cfu): Outlines of history of contemporary political thought
Part B (20 hours, 3 cfu): Political speeches in 20th century Italy
Part C (20 hours, 3 cfu): criticism of Totalitarianism
In the first part, students will be shown which authors and currents were the most important of contemporary political thought, with the focus on the 20th century in particular. The second part will be dedicated to the analysis of the main discourses that have characterized the Italian political life of the twentieth century, and finally the third to deepen some socialist and anarchist authors (Berneri, Caffi, Fabbri and Rosselli) in Italy between the two world wars end after the second wold war.
Prerequisites for admission
Fundamentals of contemporary history and history of the main political ideas between 700 and 800.
Teaching methods
The course topics will be addressed through lectures.
Attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended. Students who attend at least two thirds of the lessons are considered attending students.
Attendance, although not mandatory, is strongly recommended. Students who attend at least two thirds of the lessons are considered attending students.
Teaching Resources
Bibliographic indications for attending students (students who take the 6 cfu exam must bring the parts A and B; from 9 credits the parts A, B, and C)
Part A - Examination program for attending students
C. Galli, E. Greblo, S. Mezzadra, Il pensiero politico contemporaneo. Il Novecento e l'età globale, Bologna, il Mulino
Part B - Examination program for attending students
Parole al potere. Discorsi politici italiani, a cura di G. Pedullà, Bur, Milano, starting from the third part (speech by Don Luigi Sturzo of June 14, 1919) until the end of the volume
Part C - Examination program for attending students
A text chosen from:
C. Berneri, Scritti scelti, Zeroincondotta, Milano, 2007-2013
A. Caffi, Scritti scelti di un socialista libertario, Biblion, Milano, 2008
L. Fabbri, Critica dei totalitarismi, Milano, Elèuthera, 2023
C. Rosselli, Socialismo liberale, Torino, Einaudi, 2009 (o altra edizione)
Bibliographic indications for non-attending students (students who take the 6-cfu exam must bring the parts A and B; from 9 credits the parts A, B, and C)
Part A - Examination program for non-attending students
C. Galli, E. Greblo, S. Mezzadra, Il pensiero politico contemporaneo. Il Novecento e l'età globale, Bologna
Part B - Examination program for non-attending students
Parole al potere. Discorsi politici italiani, a cura di G. Pedullà, Bur, Milano, starting from the third part (speech by Don Luigi Sturzo of June 14, 1919) until the end of the volume
Non-attending students who take the 6-cfu exam must also read:
M.L. Salvadori, Il Novecento. Un'introduzione, Laterza, Bari-Roma, 2004-2007
Part C - Examination program for non-attending students
A text chosen from:
C. Berneri, Scritti scelti, Zeroincondotta, Milano, 2007-2013
A. Caffi, Scritti scelti di un socialista libertario, Biblion, Milano, 2008
L. Fabbri, Critica dei totalitarismi, Milano, Elèuthera, 2023
C. Rosselli, Socialismo liberale, Torino, Einaudi, 2009 (o altra edizione)
Non-attending students who take the 9-cfu exam must also read:
M.L. Salvadori, Il Novecento. Un'introduzione, Laterza, Bari-Roma, 2004-2007
Part A - Examination program for attending students
C. Galli, E. Greblo, S. Mezzadra, Il pensiero politico contemporaneo. Il Novecento e l'età globale, Bologna, il Mulino
Part B - Examination program for attending students
Parole al potere. Discorsi politici italiani, a cura di G. Pedullà, Bur, Milano, starting from the third part (speech by Don Luigi Sturzo of June 14, 1919) until the end of the volume
Part C - Examination program for attending students
A text chosen from:
C. Berneri, Scritti scelti, Zeroincondotta, Milano, 2007-2013
A. Caffi, Scritti scelti di un socialista libertario, Biblion, Milano, 2008
L. Fabbri, Critica dei totalitarismi, Milano, Elèuthera, 2023
C. Rosselli, Socialismo liberale, Torino, Einaudi, 2009 (o altra edizione)
Bibliographic indications for non-attending students (students who take the 6-cfu exam must bring the parts A and B; from 9 credits the parts A, B, and C)
Part A - Examination program for non-attending students
C. Galli, E. Greblo, S. Mezzadra, Il pensiero politico contemporaneo. Il Novecento e l'età globale, Bologna
Part B - Examination program for non-attending students
Parole al potere. Discorsi politici italiani, a cura di G. Pedullà, Bur, Milano, starting from the third part (speech by Don Luigi Sturzo of June 14, 1919) until the end of the volume
Non-attending students who take the 6-cfu exam must also read:
M.L. Salvadori, Il Novecento. Un'introduzione, Laterza, Bari-Roma, 2004-2007
Part C - Examination program for non-attending students
A text chosen from:
C. Berneri, Scritti scelti, Zeroincondotta, Milano, 2007-2013
A. Caffi, Scritti scelti di un socialista libertario, Biblion, Milano, 2008
L. Fabbri, Critica dei totalitarismi, Milano, Elèuthera, 2023
C. Rosselli, Socialismo liberale, Torino, Einaudi, 2009 (o altra edizione)
Non-attending students who take the 9-cfu exam must also read:
M.L. Salvadori, Il Novecento. Un'introduzione, Laterza, Bari-Roma, 2004-2007
Assessment methods and Criteria
The verification exam consists of an oral exam on the program topics, aimed at ascertaining the student's knowledge of the themes offered by contemporary political reflection, political discourses of the 20th century in Italy and the authors proposed in the monographic part.
For students only who regularly attend the course, during the last lesson there is an optional written exam relating to the first parts which can, at the student's discretion, replace the part of the oral exam relating to the first part.
The vote will be expressed in thirtieths.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
International or Erasmus incoming students, for whom a program will be prepared in English, are invited to contact the course professor.
For students only who regularly attend the course, during the last lesson there is an optional written exam relating to the first parts which can, at the student's discretion, replace the part of the oral exam relating to the first part.
The vote will be expressed in thirtieths.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and / or with DSA must be agreed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
International or Erasmus incoming students, for whom a program will be prepared in English, are invited to contact the course professor.
Unita' didattica A
SPS/02 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
SPS/02 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
SPS/02 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)