The course aims to give the student a profound and original analysis of the mew meaning borders and frontiers have acquired in the last decades; a new meaning which modified in depth the conception of global space both from a social-political and from an economic perspective, by producing a radical transformation of "traditional" modern concepts as nation-state, citizenship, sovereignty and capitalism. 

By means of a confrontation with a non-eurocentric theoretical perspective, even critical of any western monopoly of knowledge (both historical and political), the students of this course will have the opportunity to expand their comprehension of colonialism's outcomes in postcolonial countries and of the reciprocal social, political and economic influences between the North and the South. In such a way they will be able to form a more complex and articulated vision of global phenomena than within a mainstream perspective.

In a general view, the course will follow the organization of the topics presented in Mezzadra's and Neilson's volume Border as Method. Some chapters will be discussed more in depth, in particular more attention will be devoted to the following subjects:

1. the methodological novelty presented by the volume, especially the attempt to intertwine a scientific and an activist approach to the analysis of contemporary world;

2. the historical significance of the passage from the modern to the post-modern age, with a particular attention to the relationship between the genesis and the development of the nation-states and of European colonialism and imperialism;

3. the birth of new conceptual paradigms in politics (governance, governamentality...), sociology (eterogeneity of society, cultural ibridation, migratory processes...) and economy (cognitive capitalism, new international division of labour...);

4. the political subjects emerging from the above mentioned transformations, their agency and the research of a new emancipatory universalism.

No bridging courses.

At the end of the course the students must have developed the following abilities and competences:

1. contextualize the comlexity of the studied topics and recongnize them in similar political and social situations;

2. clearly communicate to expert and non-expert interlocutors the theoretical achievements of the studied analysis, by a genetical reconstrucion and a focusing on the problematic issues;

3. acquire a critical and autonomous ablity to afford social and political themes (both in method and in contents) similar to those considered duting the course.

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

Teaching

Mainly frontal lecture, with the possibility for the students to intervene with detailed studies and in collective discussions.

Morevore, it is expected that during the course some scholars from the University of Urbino or from other universities will be invited to give lectures about topics related to the course subjects.

Attendance

No attendance is requested.

Course books

The student can request to sit the final exam in English with the following bibliography:

S. Mezzadra, B. Neilson, Borders as Method, or, the Multiplication of Labor, Durham, Duke University Press, 2013.

A selected number of articles or chapters of books chosen in agreement with the professor, who can be conctacted by e-mail or during the office-hours.

Assessment

Oral examinations. During the classes there will be the possibiliy for the students to present a paper and/or give a lecture on specific subjects, which will contribute to determine the final grade.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Mainly frontal lecture, with the possibility for the students to intervene with detailed studies and in collective discussions.

Morevore, it is expected that during the course some scholars from the University of Urbino or from other universities will be invited to give lectures about topics related to the course subjects.

Attendance

No attendance is requested.

Course books

The student can request to sit the final exam in English with the following bibliography:

S. Mezzadra, B. Neilson, Borders as Method, or, the Multiplication of Labor, Durham, Duke University Press, 2013.

A selected number of articles or chapters of books chosen in agreement with the professor, who can be conctacted by e-mail or during the office-hours.

Assessment

Oral examination.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.