The course aims to analyse and discuss the changing role of States from the modern age to the current so-called Global age. In order to understand at length the many aspects of this transformation, the students will be confronted with some of the most relevant interpretations of the globalization in politics, as well as with a concise historical reconstruction of the events of the modern state.

Through this knowledge, students will be able to acquire a greater awareness of the meaning of the political changes generated by the global era, and also be equipped with the tools to understand the crisis of some fundamental political concepts, primarily that of the state.

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 of the course will take into account the work of two leading scholars, Bob Jessop and Martin Shaw, through which it will be possible to conduct an in-depth exploration of the theories and concepts that are radically changing the definition and activity of contemporary states.

Finally, the third part will be devoted to more participatory work, which will actively involve students through collective discussions and individual presentations of articles and essays on the topics addressed earlier.

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.

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

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.

Attendance

No attendance is requested.

Course books

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

Bob Jessop, The State. Past Present Future, Polity Press, Cambridge, 2016, part III, chapters 8 (The World Market and the World of States, pp. 189-210), 9 (Liberal Democracy, Exceptional States, and the New Normal, pp. 211-237), 10 (The Future of States and Statehood, pp. 238-249)

Martin Shaw, Theory of the Global State. Globality as Unfinished Revoution, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2002, chapters 1 (Introduction. Globality in historical perspective, pp. 1-21), 6 (State in globality, pp. 173-194), 7 (Relations and forms of global state power, pp. 195-231), 8 (Contradictions of state power: Toward a global state?, pp. 232-256), 9 (Conclusions, pp. 259-270)

Assessment

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.

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

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.

Attendance

No attendance is requested.

Course books

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

Bob Jessop, The State. Past Present Future, Polity Press, Cambridge, 2016, part III, chapters 8 (The World Market and the World of States, pp. 189-210), 9 (Liberal Democracy, Exceptional States, and the New Normal, pp. 211-237), 10 (The Future of States and Statehood, pp. 238-249)

Martin Shaw, Theory of the Global State. Globality as Unfinished Revoution, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2002, chapters 1 (Introduction. Globality in historical perspective, pp. 1-21), 6 (State in globality, pp. 173-194), 7 (Relations and forms of global state power, pp. 195-231), 8 (Contradictions of state power: Toward a global state?, pp. 232-256), 9 (Conclusions, pp. 259-270)

Assessment

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.

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.