Learning objectives
The course aims to reach a critical awareness of the origin and historical development of a number of central concepts in European political thought, in particular those of politics, anti-politics, freedom, public opinion, tolerance, equality, democracy, representation, the nation, utopia, ideology and revolution.
Course unit content
<p>The first part of the course is dedicated to an analysis of the main theories developed within Western political thought, with particular regard to themes connected with reflections on freedom of thought, speech and the press. The second part focuses on consolidating students’ knowledge of a number of key components of nineteenth- and twentieth- century political thought.</p>
Bibliography
1. The following entries: <br />
- G. Bedeschi, “Opinione pubblica”, in Enciclopedia delle Scienze Sociali, Istituto dell’Enciclopedia Italiana Giovanni Treccani, Rome 1998, vol. pp. 359-367; <br />
- M. Cotta, “Rappresentanza”, in Enciclopedia delle Scienze Sociali, Istituto dell’Enciclopedia Italiana Giovanni Treccani, vol. VII, Rome 1997, pp. 215-230; <br />
- B. Baczko, “Utopia”, in Enciclopedia, Vol. XIV, Einaudi, Turin 1981, pp. 856-920. <br />
<br />
2. Three texts to be chosen from the following: <br />
- M. Barberis, Libertà, Il Mulino, Bologna 1999; <br />
- M.L. Lanzillo, Tolleranza, Il Mulino, Bologna 2001; <br />
- E. Somaini, Paradigmi dell'uguaglianza, Laterza, Bari-Rome 2005; <br />
- E. Greblo, Democrazia, Il Mulino, Bologna 2000; <br />
<br />
3. The following two texts: <br />
- M. Ricciardi, Rivoluzione, Il Mulino, Bologna 2001; <br />
- M. Truffelli, L'ombra della politica. Saggio sulla storia del pensiero antipolitico, Rubbettino, Soveria Mannelli 2008. <br />
<br />
