Political Theories of the Middle Ages

Code:

MFIL044

Acronym:

TPIM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Philosophy

Instance: 2018/2019 - 1S

Active?	Yes
E-learning page:	http://moodle.up.pt/
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	2	MFIL - Study Plan	1	-	9	75	243

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

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

Working method

Presencial

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

Not aplicable.

Program

1. The rediscovery of Aristotle in the thirteenth century
1.1. The conception of human nature and the origin of political power according to Aristotle and according to Augustine of Hippo
2. The reception of the Politics of Aristotle in the Middle Ages
2.1. The thematization of peace;
2.2. The distinction between ethical virtues and politival virtues.
2.3. The theory of the four Aristotelian causes in the debate between papal and temporal power (royal and imperial).
3. Before and after the rediscovery of Aristotle: the mirrors of princes and the best form of government in the medieval political tradition.
4. The political philosophy in vernacular: laicization in divergence or assimilation of the ecclesiastical model?
5. The voice of women in political thought.
6. Conclusion: overcoming and criticism of medieval political theory: the Prince of Machiavelli and the Leviathan of Thomas Hobbes.

Sources to be discussed or worked out by the students in the different points of the syllabus:
1. Aristotle, Politics;
2. Augustine, The city of God;
3. Alfarabi, The Virtuous City and Averroess, Commentary on Plato's Republic;
4. Commentaries to the 13th-14th Century comentaries on Aristotles' Politics (in particular: Albertus Magnus, Thomas Aquinas, Peter of Alverny, Nicole Oresme);
5. Dante, Monarchy;
6. Marsilius of Padua, The defender of peace;
7. John of Paris, On royal and papal power; James of Viterbo, On Christian Government; William of Ockham, The third part of the Dialogus;
8. Mirrors of princes: Thomas, Aquinas, De regno; Giles of Rome, De regimine principum; Alvarus Pelagius, Mirror of the Kings; Diogo Lopes Rebelo, The government of the Republic by the King;
9. Christine de Pizan, La cité des dames; Le livre de la paix;
10. Political Philosophy in the vernacular: O leal conselheiro;
11.Machiavelli, The Prince;
12. Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan.

Bibliography: readings and complementary bibliographic references are provided in the moodle page.

Mandatory literature

Burns J.H. 340; The Cambridge history of political thought. ISBN: 0-521-24716-0

Complementary Bibliography

Dolcini, Carlo 340; Il^pensiero politico dell.età antica e medieval. ISBN: 88-7750-618-0
Scattola, Merio; Teología política. ISBN: 978-972-44-1541-3

Comments from the literature

Bibliography: readings and complementary bibliographic references are provided in the moodle page.

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lecturer 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	73,00
Frequência das aulas	45,00
Trabalho de investigação	115,00
Total:	243,00

Eligibility for exams

75% of attendance and presentation of the project and of the written paper.

Calculation formula of final grade

Participation in the seminar (10%) and written paper (90%) containing results of the research done. The paper is submitted via moodle and must be present and discussed. (100%)

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Internship work/project

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Not applicable.

Classification improvement

Written work and possible oral presentation and discussion.

Observations

Not applicable.