Learning objectives
Students should acquire:
knowledge on the subject of the course and instruments enabling to expand them independently;
ability to analyse texts critically and to discuss different theses and opinions, thereby improving their independence of thought and critical thinking;
ability to communicate acquired knowledge clearly even to a non–specialist public, and to apply them to other contexts of discourse.
Prerequisites
No formal requirement. It would, however, be better if students had some general information on major
philosophical currents from the Enlightenment to the late 19th century.
Course unit content
Concepts, ideas and images of nature and evironment in modern and contemporary culture, from the Enlightenment to environmental philosophies.
Full programme
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Bibliography
1) J.D. Passmore, La nostra responsabilità per la natura, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1991;
R. Bondí and A. La Vergata, Natura, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014.
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2) choice between
a) D. Worster, Storia delle idee ecologiche, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1994
and
b) S. Iovino, Filosofie dell’ambiente. Natura, etica, società, Roma, Carocci, 2004;
and S. Pollo, La morale della natura, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2008.
Further reading will, if necessary, be suggested during the course. Some supplementary texts will be provided by the teacher.
Teaching methods
Lectures. Texts will also read and commented on. Discussion will follow.
Each students will be asked to write a short paper (max 1,500 words) on a subject to be agreed on by the teacher.
Assessment methods and criteria
The paper will be evaluated in the oral examination on the contents of the course.
Final marks will be determined by marks for paper (50%) and marks for oral examination (50%).
Both papers and general discussion will be graded according to the following criteria:
a) knowledge of texts and authors
b) clear presentation;
c) ability of critical analysis
d) ability to contextualise.
Other information
Teaching activities will take place in the Dipartimento di Studi linguistici e culturali dell'Università di Modena e Reggio Emilia, Largo S. Eufemia 19, 41121 Modena.
