PO/PH 342 - History of Italian Political Philosophy

This course will consider major Italian political philosophers in the context of their era and in the light of theorists in other European countries. Through analysis of original works, students will improve Thomas Aquinas, Dante, Marsilio of Padua, Machiavelli, Campanella, Beccaria, Vico, Pareto, Gramsci and others as reflective of their eras and as important figures in the history of political philosophy. The topics will be presented through the comparison between different theories and their link with political and social Italian History. In particular, the course will review the question of national identity (also in reference to Italian contemporary society).