History of Medieval and Modern Political Philosophy
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide students, through the study of relevant authors and more problematic issues, with a general understanding of the history of medieval and modern political thought, focusing in particular on the contribution that the political philosophy of the Middle Ages made to the development of the ideas, argumentative forms and languages with which Europe addressed the main political issues in the period between the late Middle Ages and the early Modern Age.
The course also aims to provide students with the cognitive tools that allow them to read critically and comment autonomously on a philosophical-political text.
The course also aims to provide students with the cognitive tools that allow them to read critically and comment autonomously on a philosophical-political text.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able
- to present the basic outlines and essentials of the history of medieval and modern political thought, placing them appropriately in the historical context and showing that they are familiar with the main traditions and most relevant problems of a decisive phase in the development of the history of political philosophy
- to identify the philosophical lexicon, literary genres and argumentative structures of medieval and modern political thought
- to know the basic methodological tools of research in the history of philosophy, with reference to political thought
- to understand the relationships connecting the history of Western medieval and modern political thought to political history, to society and to theological and religious traditions.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student
- can apply the knowledge acquired in the historical context of the authors and texts
- is able to apply the knowledge acquired in vocabulary, argumentation and text analysis to the analysis and interpretation of other texts
- can apply the basic knowledge and reading methods learned in class to other philosophical texts.
At the end of the course, students will be able
- to present the basic outlines and essentials of the history of medieval and modern political thought, placing them appropriately in the historical context and showing that they are familiar with the main traditions and most relevant problems of a decisive phase in the development of the history of political philosophy
- to identify the philosophical lexicon, literary genres and argumentative structures of medieval and modern political thought
- to know the basic methodological tools of research in the history of philosophy, with reference to political thought
- to understand the relationships connecting the history of Western medieval and modern political thought to political history, to society and to theological and religious traditions.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the study path, the student
- can apply the knowledge acquired in the historical context of the authors and texts
- is able to apply the knowledge acquired in vocabulary, argumentation and text analysis to the analysis and interpretation of other texts
- can apply the basic knowledge and reading methods learned in class to other philosophical texts.
Lesson period: Second 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
Second semester
Course syllabus
This course - introduced for the first time in this academic year - aims at providing
an introduction to the main traditions of political thought during the period between the so-called Middle Ages and the Early Modern Age, focusing from time to time on certain elements of relative continuity or fracture in the transition between medieval and later political philosophy.
This year's focus will be on a reconstruction of the political language contained in William Shakespeare's plays, especially in his Histories, in which typically medieval concepts and ideas characteristic of the early modern age coexist.
an introduction to the main traditions of political thought during the period between the so-called Middle Ages and the Early Modern Age, focusing from time to time on certain elements of relative continuity or fracture in the transition between medieval and later political philosophy.
This year's focus will be on a reconstruction of the political language contained in William Shakespeare's plays, especially in his Histories, in which typically medieval concepts and ideas characteristic of the early modern age coexist.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific prerequisites
Teaching methods
Lectures and debates
Teaching Resources
Readings and assignments for exam (6 credits):
1.1 William Shakespeare, Riccardo II, Enrico V, Macbeth, Re Lear, Riccardo III, Amleto: single edition or the ones in Shakespeare, "Tutto il teatro", Roma, Newton Compton;
1.2 S. Simonetta, Lo scettro in scena. Rappresentazione e morte dell'idea di monarchia per diritto divino nei «drammi sulla regalità» di Shakespeare, Milano, Unicopli, 2014.
1.3 E. Kantorowicz, I due corpi del Re. L'idea di regalità nella teologia politica medievale, Torino, Einaudi, 1989, pp. 7-38 e Rossella Ciocca, Il cerchio d'oro: i Re sacri nel teatro shakespeariano, Roma, Officina Edizioni, 1987, pp. 9-15, pp. 55-86, pp. 153-167 (scans will be made available on myAriel);
1.4 C. Patey, Storie nella storia. Teatro e politica nell'Inghilterra rinascimentale, Milano, Cuem, 2000, pp. 18-35, 61-71 e 75-80 (scan available in myAriel);
1.5 G. Melchiori, Shakespeare: politica e contesto economico, Roma, Bulzoni, 1992, pp. 9-28 (scan available in myAriel).
Further readings for 9 credits-exam:
1.1bis William Shakespeare, Enrico IV parte I, Enrico IV parte II, Re Giovanni), in edizione singola oppure in Shakespeare, Tutto il teatro, Newton Compton.
1.2 bis Damiano Chirico, Il pensiero politico di Machiavelli nei drammi storici di Shakespeare, Brescia, Liberedizioni, 2022, selected pages.
1.3 bis. F. Ferrara, Shakespeare e le voci della storia, Roma, Bulzoni, 1994, pp. 7-30 e 44-53 (scan available in myAriel).
Additional readings for non-attending students (scans will be made available on myAriel):
- C. Belsey, Creare Storie ora e allora: Shakespeare da Riccardo II a Enrico V, in A. Marzola (a cura di), L'altro Shakespeare. Critica, storia e ideologia, Milano, Guerini, 1992, pp. 129-155.
- G. Giorello-E. Boncinelli, Noi che abbiamo l'animo libero. Quando Amleto incontra Cleopatra, Milano, Longanesi, 2014, selected pages;
- V. Gabrieli, La storia dell'Inghilterra nel teatro di Shakespeare, Roma, Bulzoni, 1995, selected pages;
- M. Praz, Machiavelli in Inghilterra e altri saggi, Firenze, Sansoni, 1962, selected pages;
- G. Sacerdoti, Sacrificio e sovranità. Teologia e politica nell'Europa di Shakespeare e Bruno, Torino, Einaudi, 2002, selected pages.
1.1 William Shakespeare, Riccardo II, Enrico V, Macbeth, Re Lear, Riccardo III, Amleto: single edition or the ones in Shakespeare, "Tutto il teatro", Roma, Newton Compton;
1.2 S. Simonetta, Lo scettro in scena. Rappresentazione e morte dell'idea di monarchia per diritto divino nei «drammi sulla regalità» di Shakespeare, Milano, Unicopli, 2014.
1.3 E. Kantorowicz, I due corpi del Re. L'idea di regalità nella teologia politica medievale, Torino, Einaudi, 1989, pp. 7-38 e Rossella Ciocca, Il cerchio d'oro: i Re sacri nel teatro shakespeariano, Roma, Officina Edizioni, 1987, pp. 9-15, pp. 55-86, pp. 153-167 (scans will be made available on myAriel);
1.4 C. Patey, Storie nella storia. Teatro e politica nell'Inghilterra rinascimentale, Milano, Cuem, 2000, pp. 18-35, 61-71 e 75-80 (scan available in myAriel);
1.5 G. Melchiori, Shakespeare: politica e contesto economico, Roma, Bulzoni, 1992, pp. 9-28 (scan available in myAriel).
Further readings for 9 credits-exam:
1.1bis William Shakespeare, Enrico IV parte I, Enrico IV parte II, Re Giovanni), in edizione singola oppure in Shakespeare, Tutto il teatro, Newton Compton.
1.2 bis Damiano Chirico, Il pensiero politico di Machiavelli nei drammi storici di Shakespeare, Brescia, Liberedizioni, 2022, selected pages.
1.3 bis. F. Ferrara, Shakespeare e le voci della storia, Roma, Bulzoni, 1994, pp. 7-30 e 44-53 (scan available in myAriel).
Additional readings for non-attending students (scans will be made available on myAriel):
- C. Belsey, Creare Storie ora e allora: Shakespeare da Riccardo II a Enrico V, in A. Marzola (a cura di), L'altro Shakespeare. Critica, storia e ideologia, Milano, Guerini, 1992, pp. 129-155.
- G. Giorello-E. Boncinelli, Noi che abbiamo l'animo libero. Quando Amleto incontra Cleopatra, Milano, Longanesi, 2014, selected pages;
- V. Gabrieli, La storia dell'Inghilterra nel teatro di Shakespeare, Roma, Bulzoni, 1995, selected pages;
- M. Praz, Machiavelli in Inghilterra e altri saggi, Firenze, Sansoni, 1962, selected pages;
- G. Sacerdoti, Sacrificio e sovranità. Teologia e politica nell'Europa di Shakespeare e Bruno, Torino, Einaudi, 2002, selected pages.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral examination consists of an interview on the topics and texts included in the syllabus, aimed at verifying comprehension of the texts, in-depth knowledge of the main conceptual contributions to the history of medieval and early modern political philosophy, and the ability to approach general topics by adopting the appropriate methodological perspectives. The student have to show that she/he is able to discuss the arguments of the various authors using an adequate vocabulary and be able to find her/his way within the bibliographical reference apparatus in the field of political history.
During the examination, the following will be assessed
- knowledge of the conceptual aspects addressed during the course (exposition);
- the ability to analyse concepts (comprehension);
- the autonomy of judgement and the ability to apply the concepts (development);
- communication skills and the appropriateness of language.
During the examination, the following will be assessed
- knowledge of the conceptual aspects addressed during the course (exposition);
- the ability to analyse concepts (comprehension);
- the autonomy of judgement and the ability to apply the concepts (development);
- communication skills and the appropriateness of language.
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Simonetta Stefano
Professor(s)
Reception:
every Monday, from 10 am to 1 pm
Department of Philosophy, first floor