History of Political Theories
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
As part of the interdisciplinary program of the Three-Year Degree, the teaching of History of Political Theories is designed to examine the reflections and the ideas of the major Western thinkers on politics. In particular, we'll focus on the classical roots of political thought (Plato, Aristotle, stoicism) and the birth of the modernstate in the writings of its main theorists (Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke). A particular analysis will also be dedicated to the main political traditions: liberalism, democracy and socialism.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the teaching the student will have learned the main concepts of the history of political theories and the most influential authors in Western culture.
Applying knowledge and understanding: the acquired knowledge will enable the student to understand the concepts and the key terms of the contemporary political debate and to place the current problems within a broad theoretical framework.
Applying knowledge and understanding: the acquired knowledge will enable the student to understand the concepts and the key terms of the contemporary political debate and to place the current problems within a broad theoretical framework.
Lesson period: First trimester
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 trimester
Course syllabus
Is political power ever legitimate? If so, who should yield it, and under which constraints (if any)? What does it mean to be free? How is democracy to be justified? The course in History of Political Theories will examine how several western political thinkers answered these and other major questions. It will start by exploring the ancient roots of political philosophy - particularly Thucydides and Plato. Then the focus will move on to the emergence and unfolding of modern political thinking, from Machiavelli to John Stuart Mill. Some lectures will introduce and problematize the major traditions emerging after the French Revolution, namely the liberal, democratic and socialist one, and their key philosophical tenets.
Prerequisites for admission
Working knowledge of the English language
Teaching methods
The course is structured through a series of lectures, the aim of which is twofold. First, to present the most relevant authors and themes in the history of political thought. Second - and relatedly - to provide a conceptual toolkit to understand and evaluate theoretical claims about politics and international relations.
Teaching Resources
The teaching material will be uploaded on the ARIEL website and will consist of a series of readings comprising key passages from the classics of political thought, authors' profiles, introductory pieces on certain topics, and pieces of secondary literature (roughly 400 pp. in total). Along with lectures' slides and notes, this is the material on which attending students will be assessed.
On top of this (notes and slides excluded, of course), non-attending students will also be required to prepare further material provided by the instructor (roughly 100 pp.), and the following handbook:
- Jonathan Wolff, Introduction to Political Philosophy, Oxford University Press, 2006 and subsequent editions (228 pp).
On top of this (notes and slides excluded, of course), non-attending students will also be required to prepare further material provided by the instructor (roughly 100 pp.), and the following handbook:
- Jonathan Wolff, Introduction to Political Philosophy, Oxford University Press, 2006 and subsequent editions (228 pp).
Assessment methods and Criteria
The knowledge acquired will be tested by means of a final written examination, mostly based on open questions. No intermediate tests are envisaged.
SPS/02 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Testini Francesco
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Thursday 16.30 - 18.30 (please make an appointment in advance via email)
https://rb.gy/0f4e2c