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
The Modern Thought of Poetry
This course will focus on the connection between poetry theory, subjectivity, and modern society in the writings of a number of Romantic-era thinkers and poets.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Bibliography:
- Friedrich Schiller, Sulla poesia ingenua e sentimentale (1795), SE, Milano, 2005
- William Wordsworth, “Preface” to Lyrical Ballads (1802), 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
Samuel T. Coleridge, Biographia literaria, 1817, ora in The Edinburgh Critical Edition of the Major Works of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, ed. by Adam Roberts, Edinburgh University Press, 2014
(capp. IV, XIV) https://www.fulltextarchive.com/page/Biographia-Literaria/
- Percy Shelley, “A Defense of Poetry,” 1821/1840, ora in 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 (1833), 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
- Giacomo Leopardi, Zibaldone di pensieri (1817-1832) (4234-4236, 15 dicembre 1826; 4356-4357, 29 agosto 1828) http://www.letteraturaitaliana.net/pdf/Volume_8/t226.pdf
- Edgard Allan Poe, The Philosophy of Composition (1846), ora in Edgar Allan Poe: Critical Theory, ed. by Stuart and Susan F. Levine, eds., University of Illinois Press (pp. 55-76)
https://pdcrodas.webs.ull.es/fundamentos/PoeThePhilosophyOfComposition.pdf
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.
