Learning objectives
By attending the lectures and by studying the textbook and slides, the students shall:
- know and understand some key concepts concerning the practice of democracy today;
- be able to apply the acquired knowledge to some problems arising in contemporary societies, especially as far as the relationships between people and institutions;
- be able to develop autonomous reflections and critical evaluations about different theoretical perspectives addressed;
- be able to understand and master the special vocabulary of political theory, and improve their language skills and expressive ability with reference to that vocabulary.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
This course offers a theoretical reflection on politics, grasped in its classical meaning of "care of the polis" as a public space where interpersonal relationships and institutional dynamics are played out.
The course addresses three main subjects, analyzed through the reading key of the relationships between people and institutions:
1. A reflection on current social problems.
2. A focus on how the consciousness of human vulnerability (especially as far as the people with disabilities) challenges the traditional frame of modern political thought, as well as the ideas of justice, equality, autonomy, independence and human dignity.
3. A critical analysis of some key concepts concerning the practice of democracy today (environment, common good, biodiversity, city, citizenship, community, rights and duties, civic education, labour, pluralism, relationship, political responsibility, social media).
Full programme
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Bibliography
Both slides and textbooks are to be studied.
1. Slides shall be available on Elly.
2. M. Zanichelli, Persone prima che disabili. Una riflessione sull'handicap tra giustizia ed etica, Queriniana, Brescia 2012, pp. 7-86.
3. R. Gatti, L. Alici, I. Vellani (Eds.), Vademecum della democrazia. Un dizionario per tutti, Editrice AVE, Roma 2020: only entries Ambiente, Bene comune, Biodiversità, Città, Cittadinanza, Comunità, Diritti e doveri, Educazione civica, Lavoro, Pluralismo, Relazione, Responsabilità politica, Social.
Teaching methods
Lectures are basically intended to help the students
- to master the topics addressed in the textbook;
- to develop critical ability, autonomy of judgement, and personal interest toward the issues discussed in the textbooks and lectures.
Students shall be encouraged to participate, interact, and take the floor.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination (te be carried out in alphabetical order), consisting of at least three questions concerning the issues addressed in the textbook and slides.
Different types of questions:
- broad and general questions intended to test the knowledge of topics addressed;
- more specific questions intended to test the ability to recognize, compare, and distinguish the different theoretical perspectives;
- questions focusing on the understanding of issues discussed in the textbooks and slides.
Mark range: 30/30 and mention to 18/30.
Evaluation criteria:
- broadness and depth of the acquired knowledge;
- adequate competence in order to understand the mentioned topics;
- thoughtful exposition of the subjects, beyond a mechanical repetition;
- language skills and expressive ability with reference to the special vocabulary of political theory.
Other information
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