Political Theories of the Middle Ages

Code:

MFIL044

Acronym:

TPIM

Instance: 2013/2014 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Philosophy
Course/CS Responsible:	Masters in Philosophy

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MFIL	9	MFIL - Study Plan	1	-	10	58	270

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The programm will provide a reasoned introduction to ethical and political thinking in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in its central issues, authors and most remarkable and influential works. Aspects of philosophical thought related to sensitive changes in political positions will be stressed in the context of political activity and practice. The two parts of the program (context and authors) overlap.

Learning outcomes and competences

To know the major authors, works and concepts of political thought medieval and early modern age. To know the major works of medieval political thought in Portugal in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Age. To read and to understand the key texts of medieval political thought. To expose and discuss acquired knowledge.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Not apply.

Program

I. The threads of history

A. The grounds: from ancient empire to christian civility - Pagan ethical and political formulations and their evolution, from polis to civitas - Christianity and Pagan Culture: Ruptures and continuities - Ethics, Politics and Law - Brief references to Plato, Aristotle and Cicero B. The conquerant Christianity and their specificity - The primacy of the individual - The duality spiritual / temporal - The concept of humanity - Major authors: S. Paul, Origen, St. Augustine - The "Political Augustinianism" C. 13th-16th Centuries and the reception of Aristotle in a changing context - The translations of Politics and Nicomachean Ethics - New solutions to old problems: happiness and the finis hominis - Temporal and spiritual powers - The city government and the education of the prince

II. The thinking in the texts [each student chooses must choose a text]

1. Augustine of Hippo [IV-V C.], The City of God Book XIX: the two cities and the pursuit of the supreme good, freedom and happiness.

2. JOHN OF SALISBURY [12th C.] Polycraticus Book IV: the subordination of the temporal power to spiritual power.

3. THOMAS AQUINAS [13th C.] On Kingship: the public good, happy life and government of the prince.

4. Boethius of Dacia [13th C.] On the highest good: intellectual (philosophical) happiness as the supreme end of man.

5. DANTE [14th C.] Monarchy: the politics of the intellect and the independence of civil power. 6. Machiavelli [15-16th C.] The prince: the domain of rational politics.

7. Thomas More [15-16th C.] Utopia: correction of the idealized political reality. Other bibliography is available on moodle course page.

2. Portuguese Authors

Egas de Viseu, Suma sobre a liberdade eclesiástica [1311], em José Antônio de C. R. de Souza, «Dom Dinis, Dom Egas de Viseu e a Suma sobre a liberdade eclesiástica», Itinerarium, 53 (2012) 373-425 [ed. pp. 405-425].

Diogo Lopes Rebelo, Do governo da República pelo rei [c. 1496-1498], ed e trad. M.P. Menezes, Instituto de Alta Cultura, Lisboa 1951.

Jerónimo Osório, Da ensinança e educação do rei [1571], Tradução, introdução e anotações de A. Guimarães Pinto, INCM, Lisboa 2005.

Mandatory literature

Burns, J.H. 340; The Cambridge history of political thought. ISBN: 0-521-24716-0
Calafate, Pedro 300; História do pensamento filosófico português. ISBN: 972-21-1299-6

Teaching methods and learning activities

Teacher lessons and direct study of medieval political books. Students must write, present and discuss a paper on one of the program selected works. Specialists will be invited to address specific points of the program.

keywords

Humanities > Philosophy

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Participação presencial	30,00
Trabalho escrito	70,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de projeto	10,00
Estudo autónomo	55,00
Frequência das aulas	45,00
Trabalho de investigação	60,00
Total:	170,00

Calculation formula of final grade

Participation and written paper.

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not apply.

Internship work/project

Not apply.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not apply.

Classification improvement

As provided in the regulations.