STORIA DELLE DOTTRINE POLITICHE
Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: STEFANIA GIULIA MAZZONEExpected Learning Outcomes
The course aims to provide students with foundational knowledge of the history of political thought and to develop critical and hermeneutic skills. It is designed to enable students to critically read and interpret the lexicons and forms of political reasoning from the Modern to the Contemporary Age, identifying the historical and social turning points and the connections linking the major categories of political thought (sovereignty, freedom, equality, representation, power, subjectivity, gender, labour, conflict).
According to the Dublin Descriptors, by the end of the course students are expected to achieve the following learning outcomes:
- Knowledge and understanding
Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the main currents, authors, and foundational texts in the history of modern and contemporary political thought (Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Spinoza, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Smith, Kant, Mill, Marx, Arendt); they will be able to identify the dominant conceptual categories and place them within the historical and institutional dynamics of European modernity; they will also acquire knowledge of the functioning and transformation of public institutions and administrations from a historical and political perspective. - Applying knowledge and understanding
By the end of the course, students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired in order to critically interpret contemporary political and institutional issues; develop independent research skills for analysing the complexity of institutional realities; and recognise, through the study of texts and authors, the conceptual frameworks used to understand and manage public and private structures at both national and international levels. - Making judgements
Students will be able to develop independent critical thinking on the major issues of modern and contemporary politics; integrate legal-administrative competencies with the criteria and methodologies of historical, sociological, economic, and political analysis; and collect and interpret data and texts concerning administrative and institutional governance, thereby acquiring analytical and evaluative skills necessary for the critical understanding of political issues. - Communication skills
Students will be able to communicate their knowledge and ideas effectively in both oral and written form, participating in academic and public debate with a strong command of political terminology; they will also be able to draft reports and short essays in a professional and scientifically rigorous manner, demonstrating the ability to interact with members of the academic community. - Learning skills
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the skills and competencies necessary to pursue autonomous learning, including the ability to identify texts and sources related to the history of political thought and to develop research projects and further studies on crucial issues of both the past and the present.
Course Structure
Required Prerequisites
Attendance of Lessons
Detailed Course Content
| Topics | Text References |
|---|
| 1. The forms and lexicons of modern and contemporary political thought. Authors: Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Spinoza, Montesquieu, Rousseau, Smith, Kant, Mill, Marx, Arendt. | R. Gherardi, La politica e gli Stati, Carocci, 2022. |
| 2. Individual in-depth study on a category/theme of contemporary political thought chosen by the student. | A. Arienzo, S. Mazzone (a cura di), Genealogie plurali. Per un lessico del sapere critico, Ombre corte, Verona 2023 (1 saggio a scelta). |
Textbook Information
Raffaella Gherardi | La politica e gli Stati | Carocci | 2022 |
A. Arienzo, S. Mazzone (a cura di) | Genealogie plurali. Per un lessico del sapere critico | Ombre corte | 2023 |
| Author | Title | Publisher | Year | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raffaella Gherardi | La politica e gli Stati | Carocci | 2022 | |
| A. Arienzo, S. Mazzone (a cura di) | Genealogie plurali. Per un lessico del sapere critico | Ombre corte | 2023 |
Learning Assessment
Learning Assessment Procedures
For attending students, an intermediate oral examination is scheduled and will focus on the first part of the syllabus (authors of modern political thought).
The remaining part of the programme will be discussed during the final oral examination, also through the presentation of a short individual in-depth study on a topic previously agreed upon with the instructor, who will provide reference materials and methodological guidance.
Non-attending students will be required to present the full syllabus during the final examination. The oral examination will include at least three questions focusing on different authors/topics covered in the course. Students will be expected to demonstrate adequate understanding, mastery of the subjects discussed, and clarity of exposition.
The average duration of the oral examination is approximately 30 minutes.
In order to ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current legislation, students may request an individual meeting to arrange possible compensatory and/or dispensatory measures, according to the educational objectives and specific needs involved. Students may also contact the departmental representative of CInAP (Centre for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Students with Disabilities and/or Specific Learning Disorders).
Grading Criteria
Fail
Serious deficiencies and significant inaccuracies in the knowledge and understanding of the topics covered. Insufficient analytical and synthetic skills. Frequent generalisations and inappropriate use of references.
18–20
Imperfect knowledge and understanding of the topics covered, at a barely sufficient level. Analytical and synthetic skills not yet adequately developed. References used only at a basic appropriate level.
21–23
Slightly more than sufficient knowledge of the topics covered. Coherent arguments, although not particularly original. Appropriate use of references at a standard level.
24–26
Good knowledge and understanding of the topics covered. Good analytical and synthetic skills. Coherent presentation of the topics. Appropriate use of references at a standard level.
27–29
More than good knowledge of the topics covered. Remarkable analytical and synthetic skills. Use of references above the standard level through further independent study and in-depth analysis.
30–30 cum laude
Excellent knowledge and understanding of the topics covered. Outstanding analytical and synthetic skills. Use of references well beyond the standard level through substantial independent insights and advanced in-depth study.