The aim of this course is to examine at length the political and economical causes of populism as a global phenomenon of the last decades, both in western and in non-western world, by taking into consideration both the different historical manifestations of populistic regimes, and its main theoretical interpretations. This will lead us to question whether these new populisms can be considered the hegemonic form of political regimes in the next decades, the best suited to the social and economic transformations we are experiencing.

In recent years, especially after the economic crisis of 2007 (but in Latin America already in the previous decade), many countries have experienced a growing and widespread criticism of the political and social status quo, mainly characterised by the refusal of representative mediation and by the trust in a direct identification between the leader and the people. This phenomenon, defined by media and scholars as "populism", presents similarities with, but also numerous differences from the "historical" populism of the first half of the 20th century. Moreover, it manifests peculiar characteristics in different States and regions, assuming features that are sometimes deeply reactionary, sometimes radical-democratic, and at other times highly ambivalent.

The topics covered during the course can be grouped into three distinct moments.

The first part of the course will be directed to a brief analysis of the concept of globalization, through the reading and discussion of Manfred B. Steger's book entitled Globalization. A Very Short Introduction. Analysis of this text will enable students to grapple with a complex and articulated topic, and to learn how to orient themselves with the new vocabulary of the global age in which we live.

The second part will deal with the following main topics: 1. a brief reconstruction of the history of populism, from the end of the 19th century to the first half of the 20th century; 2. a critical analysis of the main theories on populism, especially of its ambivalent relationship with representative democracy; 3. a deep view of the connections between contemporary populism and social and economic transformations of the global present; 4. some examples of national populist movements and parties, taken from different parts of the world (Europe, Usa, Asia, Latin America).

The last part of the course will be devoted to a workshop led by a researcher specializing in the topic of the causes and effects of European populism on the transformation of the European Union. Students will be invited to read and present articles in class, and to discuss their colleagues' presentations, according to the flipped classroom method.

No binding courses

The course aims to offer elements of contextualization and understanding in historical perspective of concepts, topics and problems in the contemporary political thought.

The student will have to demonstrate the ability to situate authors and issues in the historical contexts and dynamics to which they belong. He/she will have to demonstrate to conceptualize the differences between the categories and arguments of individual authors and moments in the history of political thought.

The student will have to demonstrate the ability to use the concepts, methods and forma mentis acquired in the learning process as a personal asset to interpret contemporary political and social reality; to deconstruct political rhetorics and media representational devices.

Upon completion of the course, students should have acquired the following skills and competencies:

Knowledge and understanding skills: by the end of the course, students should have acquired the ability to frame the complexity of the issues addressed and also recognize it in similar social and political situations;

Applied knowledge and understanding skills: students should be able to identify, apply and adapt, to real situations of political science research and reflection, the concepts, theories and methods of empirical investigation illustrated during the course.

Autonomy of judgment: students should develop the ability to connect the concepts and theories presented during the course, confronting complex issues independently, with their own critical judgment and reflection.

Communication skills: Students should acquire clear and effective communication skills through a good command of the vocabulary, main concepts and theories proposed in the literature studied.

Learning skills: Students should have developed good learning skills, enabling them to independently extend and deepen the knowledge acquired during the course, facing subsequent paths of theoretical reflection and research.

Il materiale didattico predisposto dalla/dal docente in aggiunta ai testi consigliati (come ad esempio diapositive, dispense, esercizi, bibliografia) e le comunicazioni della/del docente specifiche per l'insegnamento sono reperibili all'interno della piattaforma Moodle › blended.uniurb.it

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Modalità didattiche

Part of the course will be delivered through frontal lectures, but some classes will also be devoted to collective discussion and groupwork by students. Moreover, on a voluntary base students can present papers to the class on specific topics close to the main subject of the course.

Didattica innovativa

During the course (especially in the last classes) the flipped classroom method will be applied. Flipped classroom intentionally shifts instruction to a learner-centered model, freeing up classroom time for the exploration of topics in greater depth, creating meaningful learning opportunities.

With a flipped classroom, 'content delivery' may take a variety of forms, among which collaborative discussions, digital research, and text readings may alternatively be used.

Obblighi

No attendance is requested.

Testi di studio

Manfred B. Steger, Globalization. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford UP, Oxford, 2013

Manuel Anselmi, Populism: An Introduction, Routledge, London & New York, 2018

Carlos De La Torre (ed.), Routledge Handbook of Global Populism, Routledge, London & New York, 2019: Global populism: histories, trajectories, problems, and challenges (pp. 1-28), Part VI: Regional trajectories (pp. 351-474)

Modalità di
accertamento

Oral examinations, directed to verify both the ability to synthesize information and the comunicative and the expressive skills of the students, as well as the achievement of the suitable political language.

Excellent grades will be awarded for: good critical and in-depth skills; the ability to link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair grades: the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and the ability to link the themes dealt with: the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient assessments will result in: the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, despite the presence of some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Negative assessments will be given: difficulty in orienting the student with regard to the topics dealt with in the examination texts; gaps in training; use of inappropriate language.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.

Modalità didattiche

Part of the course will be delivered through frontal lectures, but some classes will also be devoted to collective discussion and groupwork by students. Moreover, on a voluntary base students can present papers to the class on specific topics close to the main subject of the course.

Obblighi

No attendance is requested.

Testi di studio

Manfred B. Steger, Globalization. A Very Short Introduction, Oxford UP, Oxford, 2013

Modalità di
accertamento

Oral examinations, directed to verify both the ability to synthesize information and the comunicative and the expressive skills of the students, as well as the achievement of the suitable political language.

Excellent grades will be awarded for: good critical and in-depth skills; the ability to link together the main themes addressed in the course; the use of appropriate language with respect to the specific nature of the discipline.

The following will result in fair grades: the student's possession of a mnemonic knowledge of the contents; a relative critical capacity and the ability to link the themes dealt with: the use of appropriate language.

Sufficient assessments will result in: the student's attainment of a minimal knowledge of the topics dealt with, despite the presence of some formative gaps; the use of inappropriate language.

Negative assessments will be given: difficulty in orienting the student with regard to the topics dealt with in the examination texts; gaps in training; use of inappropriate language.

Disabilità e DSA

Le studentesse e gli studenti che hanno registrato la certificazione di disabilità o la certificazione di DSA presso l'Ufficio Inclusione e diritto allo studio, possono chiedere di utilizzare le mappe concettuali (per parole chiave) durante la prova di esame.

A tal fine, è necessario inviare le mappe, due settimane prima dell’appello di esame, alla o al docente del corso, che ne verificherà la coerenza con le indicazioni delle linee guida di ateneo e potrà chiederne la modifica.