What does it mean from a philosophical-political point of view to question today the age-old phenomenon of scapegoating and ritual sacrifice?  Our scientific and technological achievements lead us to think that these are outdated superstitions, but they are rituals, symbols and stereotypes that underlie collective and individual political action. Through confrontation with René Girard's perspective, we will address issues such as violence, mimicry, mirror neurons, in a multidisciplinary journey that touches on anthropology, religion, psychoanalysis, classical mythology and social networks.

1) Violence and its characteristics

2)Ritual sacrifice as a control ritual of fear

3)Victim categories

4)The sacred and politics

5)Mimicry and violence

6)Freud and the principle of identification

7) Social networks as spaces of violence

To pass the examination, students must:
a) demonstrate that they possess the basic information for understanding the fundamental developments of political thought in relation to the major historical transformations, with particular regard to the modern and contemporary West; to this end, they will have to develop autonomous capacities for critical evaluation and rational analysis of the political discourse, eschewing ideological simplifications (Knowledge and understanding);
b) demonstrate the ability to discuss theoretical problems in the aforementioned fields, also through participation in workshops and study groups and the drafting of research papers (Applying knowledge and understanding)
c) demonstrate the ability to autonomously integrate one's own knowledge and to formulate judgements in the aforementioned areas, through active participation in discussions with the lecturer and among the students themselves, especially in workshops and seminars (Making judgements)
d) demonstrate the ability to communicate the knowledge acquired in a clear, essential and scientifically correct manner, especially in the context of dedicated seminar activities or through the drafting of concise written expositions (Communication skills)
e) demonstrate the ability to proceed in learning with autonomy and a critical sense, and in particular to identify links between theoretical problems and historical situations. This ability will be fully assessed in the final examination (Learning skills).

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

Any additional teaching activities will be communicated in class

Teaching

Lectures; term paper (optional); supplementary teaching activities.

Innovative teaching methods

Attendance

The student must have the normal degree of general culture that can be expected at this level of studies, in particular as regards the basic concepts of sociology, social and cultural anthropology and the ability to express himself/herself correctly in Italian. The study of the texts on the syllabus must focus on understanding the basic concepts and the ability to express them correctly in one's own words. Purely mnemonic study is not appreciated.

No previous philosophical training is required.
Attendance of at least ¾ of the class hours is required for attendance qualification.

Course books

R. Girard, La violenza e il sacro, Adelphi, Milano

Essays and downloadable materials from the moodle page of the discipline

Assessment

The examination is individual and is conducted orally only. All students will be asked to begin the presentation with a topic of their choice. Knowledge of all the texts on the syllabus will be tested. Mere mnemonic study is not appreciated and does not guarantee passing the examination. The level of general culture and the ability to express oneself correctly and clearly will influence the grade. The ability to carry out relevant personal considerations will be highly appreciated. The highest grade (thirty with honours) will be awarded to students who, in addition to having no major gaps in the syllabus, demonstrate a critical sense, good argumentative skills and effective exposition. 

At the student's request, a term paper (optional) may be discussed during the exam, to be handed in at least ten days before the exam. The writing of the thesis does not dispense from the completeness of the study and only has a positive effect on the grade if it is of good quality, otherwise it will not be taken into account.

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

Individual study, which we recommend supplementing with talks with the lecturer, by appointment, in the case of difficulties in understanding the texts. For simpler questions, contact via e-mail will suffice.

Attendance

The student must have the normal degree of general culture that can be expected at this level of studies, in particular as regards the basic concepts of sociology, social and cultural anthropology and the ability to express himself/herself correctly in Italian. The study of the texts on the syllabus must focus on understanding the basic concepts and the ability to express them correctly in one's own words. Purely mnemonic study is not appreciated.

No previous philosophical training is required.
Attendance of at least ¾ of the class hours is required for attendance qualification.

Course books

R. Girard, La violenza e il sacro, Adelphi, Milano

R. Girard, Il capro espiatorio, Adelphi, Milano

Essays and downloadable materials from the moodle page of the discipline

Assessment

The examination is individual and is conducted orally only. All students will be asked to begin the presentation with a topic of their choice. Knowledge of all the texts on the syllabus will be tested. Mere mnemonic study is not appreciated and does not guarantee passing the examination. The level of general culture and the ability to express oneself correctly and clearly will influence the grade. The ability to carry out relevant personal considerations will be highly appreciated. The highest grade (thirty with honours) will be awarded to students who, in addition to having no major gaps in the syllabus, demonstrate a critical sense, good argumentative skills and effective exposition. 

At the student's request, a term paper (optional) may be discussed during the exam, to be handed in at least ten days before the exam. The writing of the thesis does not exempt the student from studying in full and only has a positive effect on the grade if it is of good quality, otherwise it will not be taken into account.

The status of non-attending student does not have a negative effect on the 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.