Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a critical awareness of some fundamental concepts of ancient and modern western political thought.
Prerequisites
Prerequisites are not required
Course unit content
The course will analyse some of the main concepts in the Western political thought: Democracy, Tolerance and Freedom.
Full programme
Liberty and Democracy in the ancient thought. Tolerance in the early and modern cristian Tohught. Hobbes: natural Liberty and political Liberty. Liberty by the Law: Locke. Tolerance and Liberty. Liberty by the Constitution: Montesquieu. Rousseau: Liberty as partecipation. Constant: Liberty of the Ancients compared with that of the Moderns. Liberty and Democracy: the Public Opinion. Gaetano Mosca and the Elite theory.
Bibliography
1) E. Greblo, Democrazia, il Mulino, Bologna 2000
2) M.L. Lanzillo, Tolleranza, il Mulino, Bologna 2001
3) M.L. Lanzillo, (a cura), Libertà, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2008.
4) G. Bedeschi, Opinione pubblica, in Enciclopedia delle Scienze Sociali, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana Giovanni Treccani, Rome 1998, pp. 359-367, reperibile al link:
http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/opinione-pubblica_%28Enciclopedia-delle-scienze-sociali%29/
5) N. Bobbio, Libertà, in Enciclopedia del Novecento, Treccani, reperibile al link:
http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/liberta_%28Enciclopedia-del-Novecento%29/
6) G. Sartori, Democrazia, in Enciclopedia delle Scienze sociali, Treccani
http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/democrazia_%28Enciclopedia-delle-scienze-sociali%29/
7) N. Matteucci, Costituzionalismo, in Enciclopedia delle Scienze sociali, Treccani
http://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/costituzionalismo_(Enciclopedia-delle-scienze-sociali)/
The bibliography is the same for non-attending students.
Teaching methods
During the lessons iti is planned to read and analyze some excerpts from important works of political thought. Some readings will be entrusted to the students, invited to present the passages in the classroom.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral examination.
The examination consists in 3 questions on 3 different topics. Each question will be focused on the comprehension of the subject-matte. Each question will be assigned a value of 10/30
