Learning objectives
In-depth knowledge and understanding of theoretical philosophy, its
relation to socio-philosophical questions, and its application to contemporary
debates. Ability to discuss in an argumentative form the subject-matters
proposed in the lessons and to critically compare different interpretations
of the assigned texts. Development of communicative and learning skills,
and of the ability to make autonomous judgments on theoretical
questions. Ability to compose a written work in argumentative
form on the course themes
Prerequisites
Knowledge of the fundamental concepts and the principal writers in the
history of theoretical philosophy
Course unit content
Lyric and Society
The course will focus on the relationship between poetry, theory of the subject, and modern society.
Bibliography
Bibliography:
- William Wordsworth, “Preface” to Lyrical Ballads, in The Prose Works of William Wordsworth, ed. W. J. B. Owen and Jane Worthington Smyser, Oxford University Press, 1974 (trad. it. in Ballate liriche, Mondadori, 1979) https://web.english.upenn.edu/~jenglish/Courses/Spring2001/040/preface1802.html
- Percy Shelley, “A Defense of Poetry,” Shelley’s Prose, University of New Mexico Press, 1954 (trad. it. Difesa della poesia, Rusconi, 1999) https://www.bartleby.com/27/23.html
- John Stuart Mill, Thoughts on Poetry and its Variety, in Autobiography and Literary Essays, ed. J.M. Robson and J. Stillinger, Toronto University Press, 1981, https://genius.com/John-stuart-mill-thoughts-on-poetry-and-its-varieties-annotated
G.W.F. Hegel, Estetica, Tomo Secondo, Parte Terza, Sezione Terza, Capitolo Terzo: “La poesia”, Einaudi, 1997, pp. 1072-1162.
Theodor W. Adorno, “Discorso su lirica e società”, in Id., Note per la letteratura, Einaudi, 1979, pp. 44-66
Further readings:
Jonathan Culler, Theory of the Lyric, Harvard University Press, 2015 (cap. I, II, III, VII)
Gary Shapiro, "Hegel on the Meanings of Poetry", Philosophy and Rhetoric 8, no. 2 (Spring 1975): 88-107. https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/232768972.pdf
Isobel Armstrong, “Hegel: The Time of Rhythm, the Time of Rhyme,” Thinking Verse 1 (2011), pp. 124-136 http://thinkingverse.org/issue01/Isobel%20Armstrong,%20The%20Time%20of%20Rhythm.pdf
Simon Jarvis, “Musical Thinking: Hegel and the Phenomenology of Prosody,” Paragraph 28 (2005), pp. 57–71. https://www.sas.upenn.edu/~cavitch/pdf-library/Jarvis_Musical.pdf
Wayne Deakin, Hegel and the English Romantic Tradition, Palgrave MacMillan 2015
Markus Ophaelders, Poesia e morte dell'arte, in Mario Farina e Alberto Siani (a cura di), L'estetica di Hegel, il mulino, 2014, pp. 213-228
Marco Gatto, "Un'etica del margine: etica e società a partire da Adorno", L'Ulisse, n. 22, 2019, pp. 302-309 https://www.lietocolle.com/cms/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/ULISSE%2022_new.pdf
Gottfried Benn, “Problemi della lirica”, in Id., Lo smalto sul nulla, Adelphi, 1992, pp. 266-302
W.H. Auden, “Il poeta e la polis”, in Id., La mano del tintore, Adelphi, 1999, pp. 94-113
Teaching methods
teacher up-front lesson
Guided discussion
Seminar
Assessment methods and criteria
The final exam involves the composition of an argumentative paper (max 20,000 characters) on the topics and texts of the course, previously agreed with the teacher. Students who also attend the "Theoretical philosophy and critical theory" course will be allowed to present only one paper (max 30,000 characters) in two parts for both courses. final grade will consist of the paper evaluation (70%) and the oral exam (30%: discussion of the bibliography of the course). For students who have attended at least 70% of the lessons, the oral exam will be performed through the assessment of participation in the class discussion and a report held during the course. For other students, the oral exam on the bibliography will be held on the occasion of the final exam
The final evaluation (on a scale of 0-30) will be determined on the basis of four factors: 1) Expressive accuracy; 2) argumentative capacity and independence of judgment; 3) Ability to read, understand, and critically analyze philosophical texts; 4) Ability to identify theoretical links between different concepts and philosophical positions.
The exam is considered passed if it reaches the minimum grade of 18/30. The final mark will be determined according to the following parameters:
30 e Lode: Cum Laude; Outstanding expressive skills, brilliant ability to argue a thesis in a convincing way and to identify its weaknesses, terrific understanding and critical analysis of the texts assigned and the main concepts involved
30: Excellent; accurate and very well articulated expression skills, excellent understanding of the texts assigned and the concepts and topics involved
27-29: Very Good; correct and orderly expression skills, adequate capacity for argumentation and critical analysis of texts and concepts
24-26: Good: Good but not always correct expression skills, satisfactory ability to argue a philosophical thesis and to analyze texts and concepts, knowledge of texts not always complete
21-23: Discreet: not always appropriate expression skills, discreet argumentative ability, sometimes unsatisfactory understanding of texts and concepts
18-21: Sufficient: expressive skills often not adequate, unsatisfactory argumentative capacity, acceptable but often superficial knowledge and understanding of texts and concepts
0-18: Insufficient: Serious expressive gaps, inability to philosophically argue a thesis, inadequate knowledge and understanding of texts and concepts
Other information
The course is linked to the course of "Theoretical Philosophy and Critical Theory" which will take place in the second part of the second semester. Students who will attend both courses will agree specific exam methods and bibliography with the teacher. The two courses can however be followed individually.
