History of Philosophy II

Fausto Benedetti, is the Dean of the Faculty of the Telematic University of studies IUL, and the winner of a competition as first INDIRE researcher. He coordinates the territorial branch of Rome, which liaises with the head office and with the territory; he works on the definition and achievement of research objectives, implementing and contributing autonomously to the development of projects concerning Didactics, Education and Improvement, as well as the growth and qualitative development of teaching and learning processes.

He is enrolled in the professional register of qualified professors for academic field A050, he is a tenured teacher for academic field A050, he is qualified with full marks for academic field A037, and he is the Didactic Manager of the IUL Telematic University.

Between 2000 and 2005, he held various positions at the University of Rome ‘Roma Tre’. In 1999, he collaborated with the Department of Historical-Philosophical-Pedagogical Research of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. In the same period, he obtained the qualification as “Professor of Philosophy and History”, qualifying for the 037/A – 80/80 academic fields in addition to the A050 academic filed already obtained. He also published, together with Guspini, an “Interdisciplinary Module of Philosophy and History: The construction of consensus and the role of intellectuals in the twentieth century”, in “L’esame di Stato sotto esame”, a monographic issue of Nuova Paideia, year XIX, part two.

The course (6 ECT) is divided into two modules and will explore the development of Western philosophical thought in the Humanistic-Renaissance period, covering the following topics:

Module I – Humanism and the Renaissance

• Historiographical significance
• Characteristics of the period
• The Moral Debate and Early Humanism
• Nicolò Cusano
• Marsilio Ficino
• Petrarch
• Leon Battista Alberti
• Lorenzo Valla
• Neoplatonism-Aristotelism

Module II – The Origins of Modern Thought: Religion; Politics; Culture

• The Renaissance and religion. Reformation and Counter-Reformation
• Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus
• Machiavelli
• The philosophy of nature
• Giordano Bruno

The course (6 ECT) is divided into two modules and will explore the development of Western philosophical thought in the Humanistic-Renaissance period. Its objective is to know the main characteristics of the Renaissance philosophical culture and its currents, in particular: civic humanism, Aristotelism, Platonism and political and religious debates. The aim of the course is the understanding of the double-edged link that exists between these cultural components and their historical frame of reference.
Also to acquire a philosophical linguistic competence, showing to know how to use the essential categories of philosophical thought and a specific vocabulary.

• Enhancement of critical thinking skills about different forms of knowledge, their meaning and significance.
• Acquisition of philosophical linguistic competence, showing the ability to use the essential categories of philosophical thought and a specific glossary.
• Ability to analyse, evaluate historical and historiographical sources, and problematise interpretative analysis.
• Enhancement of cognitive abilities of critical analysis and systematic problem-solving.
• Development and enhancement of divergent thinking and creativity.

A. Knowledge and understanding

To know the main characteristics of Renaissance philosophical culture and its currents, in particular: civic humanism, Aristotelianism, Platonism and political and religious debates. To understand the double link that exists between these cultural components and their historical frame of reference.

B. Applied knowledge and understanding

Possibility of comparing the introspection of the man who ‘rediscovers’ his humanity with the facets of the soul of modern man.

C. Autonomy of judgement

The students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their acquired autonomy of judgement through the proposed didactic activities in which the critical analysis of the different currents of thought of that time will find space.

D. Communication skills

Expository, communicative and argumentative skills.

E. Learning ability

This course aims not only at learning contents but also at a deep understanding of humanistic-renaissance thought.

A. Use of relevant textbooks, knowledge of the main texts produced by the authors under study.

B. Professional approach to one’s own work and possession of adequate skills to devise arguments, support them and solve problems within the subject studied.

C. Ability to understand and interpret philosophical language in order to produce independent judgements.

D. Ability to use what has been learnt during the course to communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to specialists and non-specialists.

E. Ability to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy.

DIDACTICS PROVISION

• 9 video lessons
• 2 synchronous video lessons of about 60 minutes each to deepen, clarify and discuss the issues addressed in the course modules
• Podcasts of all the above-mentioned video lessons

INTERACTIVE DIDACTICS

• 1 course orientation forum.
• 2 thematic follow-up forums (1 per module).
• Possibility to carry out work in groups.
• 2 structured e-activities (as described in the section “in itinere assessment methods”).

SELF-LEARNING

Teaching materials are provided for each module: in-depth thematic studies, articles and slides by the lecturer, open access readings, online resources, reference bibliography, etc.

The study material for this course will consist of self-produced handouts.

Some readings may be indicated during the course.

Access to the final examination is subject to the following 2 e-activities:

Module 1 – n. 1 e-tivity to be chosen among:

• Biography of your choice of one of the philosophers discussed in the module, according to the indications provided in the Forum;
• In-depth study of a topic
• Free proposals based on previous knowledge and/or previous didactic experience of the student, to be agreed with the lecturer

Each student will also have to contribute to the discussion in the Forum, with at least one intervention, in the dedicated thread.

Module 2 – n. 1 e-tivity:

• Production of a final paper (Ebook), according to the indications given in the Forum and during the webinars.

Each student will also have to contribute to the discussion in the Forum, with at least one intervention, in the dedicated thread.

The assessment of learning will take the form of an oral interview on the course contents and on the final report submitted, if any. The grade (min 18, max 30 with possible honours) is determined by the level of performance for each of the following dimensions of the oral interview: mastery of contents, appropriateness of definitions and theoretical references, clarity of argument, command of specialist language.

Italian