Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding of political and philosophical texts; logical skills and critical analysis of philosophical-political arguments. Elaboration of short texts with adequate use of the philosophical-political lexicon. Ability to elaborate and communicate good arguments, related to the concepts learned during the course, and to develop them autonomously.
Prerequisites
no
Course unit content
Ernst Cassirer and the Technique of the Modern Political Myths.
Full programme
Ernst Cassirer (Breslavia 1874-New York 1945) wrote his famous book, "The Myth of the State", in his American exile (1941-1945), and it was later published posthumously, by his Scholars, in 1946. Cassirer deals with the crucial problem of political myth, in his days, and reveals how the myth of the State evolved, from primitive times, to prepare the way for the rise of the modern totalitarian State. During the course, particular attention will be paid to the prevalence of mythic thought in the philosophy of the early Twentieth Century (Oswald Spengler and Martin Heidegger).
Bibliography
Ernst Cassirer, "The Myth of the State" (Yale University Press).
Teaching methods
The course will mainly take place through lectures. The student will have to carry out a written exercise on a topic agreed with the teacher.
Assessment methods and criteria
The verification of learning will take place through an oral exam, in which the understanding and critical analysis of philosophical-political texts will be carefully evaluated. Students will have to elaborate a short text: the evaluation of the written texts will be based on the correctness of the arguments and the philosophical-political lexicon. The oral and the written communication will both be subjected to careful evaluation and will contribute to the determination of the final grade.
Other information
- - -
