History of Medieval Political Thought

A.Y. 2024/2025
6
Max ECTS
40
Overall hours
SSD
M-FIL/08
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The aim of the course ¬is to provide students, through the study of relevant authors and main problems, with a general understanding of the history of medieval political thought and the contribution it made to the development of the ideas, argumentative forms and languages with which Europe addressed major political issues during the so-called Middle Ages and 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.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- know the fundamental aspects of the history of Western medieval political thought, learning to orient oneself in the historical context, in the traditions, in the problems and in the terminology of a decisive phase of the development of the history of political philosophy
- know the fundamental philosophical lexicon, the literary genres and the argumentative forms of medieval political thought
- know the basic methodological tools of research in the history of philosophy, with reference to political thought
- understand the relationships connecting the history of Western medieval political thought to political history, to society and to theological and religious traditions.

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to:
- apply the knowledge acquired in the historical context of the authors and texts
- apply the knowledge acquired in vocabulary, argumentation and text analysis to the analysis and interpretation of other texts
- apply the basic knowledge and reading methods learned in class to other philosophical texts.
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The course aims at providing:
1. a general presentation of the main traditions of political reflection during the so-called Middle Ages, political languages and some of the major medieval political theorists;
2. an analytical reading of some books of Augustine of Hippo's City of God (in Italian translation), one of the great classics of Western political thought.
Prerequisites for admission
Specific preliminary notions are not required
Teaching methods
Lectures and debates
Teaching Resources
Programme (6 ETCS):

. "Il pensiero politico nel Medioevo", in "Filosofia e cultura", a cura di A. La Vergata-F. Trabattoni, vol. 1, Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 2007, pp. 666-680;

2) Stefano Simonetta, "Pensare la politica nel Medioevo", in "Pensare il medioevo", a cura di Mt. Fumagalli Beonio Brocchieri, Milano, Mondadori Università, 2007, pp. 129-156;

3) Aurelio Agostino, "La città di Dio", a cura di L. Alici, Milano, Bompiani 2001, pagine scelte; in alternativa, Id., "La città di Dio", a cura di D. Marafioti, Milano, Mondadori 2022, pagine scelte.

4) L. Alici, "Introduzione", in Aurelio Agostino, "La città di Dio", a cura di L. Alici, Milano, Bompiani 2001, pp. 7-51.

Supplements and additional texts for non-attenders:

1. G. Catapano, "Agostino", Roma, Carocci 2010, pp. 181-215;

2. P. Brown, "Agostino d'Ippona", Torino, Einaudi 2005, pp. 300-334.

International students who are unable to read texts in Italian may agree on a complete bibliography in English
Assessment methods and Criteria
The final examination consists of a 30 minutes oral exam, whose purpose is to test the knowledge and skills acquired by students. The grading system for the final exam is based on a 0-30 scale, 18 being the lowest passing mark. Evaluation criteria:
- knowledge of the handbook, of the texts and of the essays examined during the course (knowledge);
- ability to understand concepts and arguments (understanding)
- ability to critically evaluate different interpretations of texts and historical problems (development);
- use of language (exposition).
M-FIL/08 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor: Campi Luigi
Professor(s)
Reception:
Office hours will take place on Wednesdays, 2.30-5.00 pm
In my office (first floor) and on MS Teams (please, send an email to agree on the reception time)