Political Philosophy and Theories of Gender
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the methodological and theoretical tools of political philosophy to understand its central themes and contemporary debates. Through a historical and theoretical-critical perspective, the proposed path will enable students to address the fundamental themes and authors of political philosophy and to approach them through a gender perspective understood as a method and tool of critical analysis.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and Understanding:
At the end of the course, the student will be able to: rigorously and critically approach texts of political philosophy; understand gender theories as an interpretative lens and know their languages and methods; recognize the main rhetorical devices and conceptual structures at work in political philosophy; understand the lexicon and methodology of political philosophy; establish connections between different authors and theories; understand the various interpretations of political philosophy texts also in relation to different historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding:
At the end of the course, the student will be able to: apply the knowledge learned in the study of specific texts and authors to the historical framing and philosophical contextualization of other works and thinkers; apply the knowledge learned in the study of philosophical-political lexicon to the analysis and discussion of contemporary problems; express adequate judgment autonomy in interpreting elements useful for determining issues relevant to their field of study and to the broader socio-cultural context in which they operate.
At the end of the course, the student will be able to: rigorously and critically approach texts of political philosophy; understand gender theories as an interpretative lens and know their languages and methods; recognize the main rhetorical devices and conceptual structures at work in political philosophy; understand the lexicon and methodology of political philosophy; establish connections between different authors and theories; understand the various interpretations of political philosophy texts also in relation to different historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts.
Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding:
At the end of the course, the student will be able to: apply the knowledge learned in the study of specific texts and authors to the historical framing and philosophical contextualization of other works and thinkers; apply the knowledge learned in the study of philosophical-political lexicon to the analysis and discussion of contemporary problems; express adequate judgment autonomy in interpreting elements useful for determining issues relevant to their field of study and to the broader socio-cultural context in which they operate.
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
The course aims to provide an introduction to the concepts and terminology of political philosophy, in particular through some fundamental antinomies: nature-culture, public-private, freedom-oppression. We will then analyse the problems and methods of political philosophy in order to understand its fundamental texts, with particular reference to Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Kant, Hegel, Marx, Arendt and Foucault and their conceptions of power and politics.
From this introduction, the course will then examine the question of sexual difference and its relevance to political thought. The aim is to understand how sex and gender distinctions can be useful as a framework for studying the fundamental structures of politics. In particular, the classes will focus on Rousseau's thought to thematise the problem of equality and difference and the problem of education. We will then analyse Mary Wollstonecraft's critiques of Rousseau's theories and the questions that arise from them: What does femininity mean? What is the meaning of the boundaries between public and private? From what background do social identities and inequalities emerge?
To answer these questions, we will examine the works of Virginia Woolf and Adriana Cavarero to reflect on the construction of subjectivity and the possible ways of rethinking political action from a gender perspective.
From this introduction, the course will then examine the question of sexual difference and its relevance to political thought. The aim is to understand how sex and gender distinctions can be useful as a framework for studying the fundamental structures of politics. In particular, the classes will focus on Rousseau's thought to thematise the problem of equality and difference and the problem of education. We will then analyse Mary Wollstonecraft's critiques of Rousseau's theories and the questions that arise from them: What does femininity mean? What is the meaning of the boundaries between public and private? From what background do social identities and inequalities emerge?
To answer these questions, we will examine the works of Virginia Woolf and Adriana Cavarero to reflect on the construction of subjectivity and the possible ways of rethinking political action from a gender perspective.
Prerequisites for admission
No preliminary knowledge
Teaching methods
Lecture
Class discussions
Class discussions
Teaching Resources
6 and 9 ECTS joint exams:
- S. Petrucciani, Modelli di filosofia politica, Einaudi
- J.-J. Rousseau, Discorso sull'origine della disuguaglianza
- J.-J. Rousseau, Emilio, capitolo V
- M. Wollstonecraft, Sui diritti delle donne, BUR
- Un testo a scelta tra:
V. Woolf, Una stanza tutta per sé, Feltrinelli
V. Woolf, Le tre ghinee, Feltrinelli
Additional readings for 9 ECTS exams:
- one of the following texts
A. Cavarero, Nonostante Platone, Castelvecchi
A. Cavarero, Tu che mi guardi, tu che mi racconti, Castelvecchi
Readings for non-attending students:
- A. Cavarero e F. Restaino, Le filosofie femministe, Pearson
General remarks:
The syllabus may be subject to slight changes: the final version will be uploaded on the course's Ariel website shortly after the start of the course.
The study of the teaching materials distributed in class, prefaces and introductions to the editions indicated is an integral part of the exam materials.
Exam arrangements for students with disabilities and/or with SLDs must be discussed with the lecturers, in agreement with the support service.
- S. Petrucciani, Modelli di filosofia politica, Einaudi
- J.-J. Rousseau, Discorso sull'origine della disuguaglianza
- J.-J. Rousseau, Emilio, capitolo V
- M. Wollstonecraft, Sui diritti delle donne, BUR
- Un testo a scelta tra:
V. Woolf, Una stanza tutta per sé, Feltrinelli
V. Woolf, Le tre ghinee, Feltrinelli
Additional readings for 9 ECTS exams:
- one of the following texts
A. Cavarero, Nonostante Platone, Castelvecchi
A. Cavarero, Tu che mi guardi, tu che mi racconti, Castelvecchi
Readings for non-attending students:
- A. Cavarero e F. Restaino, Le filosofie femministe, Pearson
General remarks:
The syllabus may be subject to slight changes: the final version will be uploaded on the course's Ariel website shortly after the start of the course.
The study of the teaching materials distributed in class, prefaces and introductions to the editions indicated is an integral part of the exam materials.
Exam arrangements for students with disabilities and/or with SLDs must be discussed with the lecturers, in agreement with the support service.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of an oral test on the topics discussed in class and on the texts included in the syllabus, aimed at ascertaining comprehension of the texts, in-depth knowledge of the main conceptual contributions analysed, and the ability to approach the general topics by adopting the appropriate methodological perspectives. The student will have to show that he/she is able to discuss the arguments of the proposed authors using an adequate vocabulary and be able to find his/her way around the bibliographical reference apparatus.
During the tests, the following will be assessed
- the level of knowledge of the history of political philosophy and political theory (exposition);
- the ability to analyse concepts (comprehension);
- the autonomy of judgement and the ability to apply concepts (development);
- communication skills and the appropriateness of language.
Students are required to bring their texts with them to the oral test: the colloquium may begin with the reading and commentary of a few significant passages from a philosophical work analysed in the course.
During the tests, the following will be assessed
- the level of knowledge of the history of political philosophy and political theory (exposition);
- the ability to analyse concepts (comprehension);
- the autonomy of judgement and the ability to apply concepts (development);
- communication skills and the appropriateness of language.
Students are required to bring their texts with them to the oral test: the colloquium may begin with the reading and commentary of a few significant passages from a philosophical work analysed in the course.
SPS/01 - POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Ceron Annalisa Antonia, Cossutta Carlotta
Professor(s)
Reception:
Thursday, 10.00-13.00. Please, write an e-mail to arrange an appointment.
Teams and/or office