BERGAMO
Overview
Date/time interval
Syllabus
Course Objectives
In alignment with the specific educational goals of the degree program and the relevant learning area, by the end of the course, the student will: 1) possess a solid foundational knowledge of the historical periods covered and the main exponents of Western thought; 2) recognize and interpret the primary underlying theoretical issues within their original context, meaning, and development, including through direct reference to philosophical texts; 3) be able to apply philosophical tools to their specific branch of study and to the contemporary world.
Course Prerequisites
Proficiency in the Italian language and comprehension of written texts. General knowledge acquired in secondary school and logical reasoning skills. An interest in the essential questions of general history, from the ancient world to the twentieth century. A willingness to broaden one's cultural perspective through a general understanding of the history of philosophy, which the course aims to develop through specific readings and reflections.
Teaching Methods
Teaching activities will consist of lectures devoted to course content, as well as the reading and analysis of required texts. Lecture content will be supplemented and integrated with materials provided on the Moodle e-learning platform. Access to the platform will be provided via a code shared with students during the course. Significant emphasis will be placed on discussion and dialogue with students. Students will also be offered the opportunity to submit written assignments through the Moodle platform.
Assessment Methods
Students may choose to demonstrate their learning achievements through either a written or oral exam.
WRITTEN EXAM. Provided only for attending students and held only on the first day of the first call of the summer exam session. After the end of the course, a written exam takes place to verify the learning goals achieved during the course. The written exam consists of three open-ended questions concerning issues and bibliography addressed in class. The time provided to complete the exam is two hours. Each question is worth a maximum of 10 points. Final grades will be personally communicated as soon as possible. The written exam fully replaces the oral one if the grade is accepted. The grade will be formally registered during the first roll call of the summer session.
ORAL EXAM. A conversation about course content and related bibliography aimed at assessing learning achievements. The final grade is based on a 30-point scale.
Contents
The teaching program consists of: 1) a general overview of the core contents of the history of philosophy; and 2) a detailed examination of selected issues and authors. Regarding point 1, the following topics will be covered: Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Pyrrho, Epicurus, Epictetus, Cicero, Seneca, Augustine, Boethius, Anselm, and Aquinas; Humanism and the Renaissance; Machiavelli, Hobbes, Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, Leibniz, Hume, the Enlightenment, and Rousseau; Kant, Hegel, Marx, Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, Mill, Darwin, Freud, Croce, and Gentile; and the main currents of 20th-century philosophy. Regarding point 2, key themes from major classical, Christian, and modern philosophers will be explored in depth, alongside the trends and challenges of contemporary philosophy.
Online Resources
More information
Further information will be available on the course webpage and the Moodle platform, which will also contain teaching materials. Working students who do not attend classes are invited to contact the instructor. They are expected to adhere to the syllabus and required readings. Any gaps in knowledge regarding issues and authors should be addressed by using a reputable high school history of philosophy textbook, upon agreement—via email or during office hours—with the professor. They should also discuss their learning path and how to access Moodle materials with the professor.