History of Humanist and Renaissance Philosophy a.a. 2026-2027 – Corso di laurea magistrale in Scienze pedagogiche

E-mail: pasquale.terracciano@uniroma2.it

CFU: 6
Course code: 804002510
SSD: M-FIL/04
Master’s Degree: Digital Humanities
Language: Italian

Period: I semestre
Course delivery modalities: in-presence
Attendance: Optional
Assessment method: Oral examination

Pre-requisites:
no prerequisite

Program:
The course will offer a reconstruction of Humanistic and Renaissance thought, beginning with an initial historical and conceptual framework. It will also highlight the relationship between this tradition and the foundational categories of modernity, particularly in connection with the historiographical construction of the two distinct myths of Humanism and the Renaissance. This will be examined in light of the cultural, geographical, and technological ruptures that emerged during the period under consideration.

Program:

The course will offer a reconstruction of Humanistic and Renaissance thought, beginning with an initial historical and conceptual framework. It will also highlight the relationship between this tradition and the foundational categories of modernity, particularly in connection with the historiographical construction of the two distinct myths of Humanism and the Renaissance.
This will be examined in light of the cultural, geographical, and technological ruptures that emerged during the period under consideration.

Text books:
A. Suggi, La filosofia del Rinascimento, Roma, Carocci, 2023 L. B. Alberti, Momo, Roma, Luni, 2023 N. Machiavelli, Il Principi, Roma; Donzelli, 2022 G. Pico, La dignità dell’uomo, Torino, Einaudi, 2021

Bibliography:
M. Cacciari,La mente inquieta. Saggio sull’umanesimo, Torino, Einaudi 2019 E. Cassirer, Individuo e cosmo nella filosofia del Rinascimento, Torino, Bollati Boringheri, 2012 M. Ciliberto, Rinascimento, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2016 G, Ernst (a cura di), La filosofia del Rinascimento, Roma, Carocci 2019 E. Garin, L’Umanesimo italiano. Filosofia e vita civile nel Rinascimento, Roma-Bari, Laterza 2008

Bibliography:

M. Cacciari,La mente inquieta. Saggio sull’umanesimo, Torino, Einaudi 2019
E. Cassirer, Individuo e cosmo nella filosofia del Rinascimento, Torino, Bollati Boringheri, 2012
M. Ciliberto, Rinascimento, Pisa, Edizioni della Normale, 2016
G, Ernst (a cura di), La filosofia del Rinascimento, Roma, Carocci 2019
E. Garin, L’Umanesimo italiano. Filosofia e vita civile nel Rinascimento, Roma-Bari, Laterza 2008

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be able to understand the main categories that define Humanistic and Renaissance philosophy, regarded both as a “hinge” with the classical world and a foundational element of the modern world. This will be achieved through the reading of key texts and authors. Special attention will be given to the philosophical trajectories of Leon Battista Alberti, Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, and Niccolò Machiavelli, in order to highlight fundamental notions of Humanistic and Renaissance thought. The course will also address a phase of technological transition in relation to the production and dissemination of knowledge (the invention of the printing press and the shift from manuscripts to printed books). KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING: • Awareness and mastery of philosophical vocabulary Ability to independently read philosophical texts from different historical periods. Ability to contextualize and interpret philosophical texts ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Ability to explore and deepen the foundational categories of Western modernityINDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT: • Ability to develop a pluralistic perspective on complex problems COMMUNICATION SKILLS: • Ability to express oneself using philosophical vocabulary LEARNING SKILLS: • Ability to deepen one’s knowledge of the subject independently INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT: • Ability to develop a pluralistic perspective on complex problems

Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be able to understand the main categories that define Humanistic and Renaissance philosophy, regarded both as a “hinge” with the classical world and a foundational element of the modern world. This will be achieved through the reading of key texts and authors.
Special attention will be given to the philosophical trajectories of Leon Battista Alberti, Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, and Niccolò Machiavelli, in order to highlight fundamental notions of Humanistic and Renaissance thought.
The course will also address a phase of technological transition in relation to the production and dissemination of knowledge (the invention of the printing press and the shift from manuscripts to printed books).
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:
• Awareness and mastery of philosophical vocabulary Ability to independently read philosophical texts from different historical periods. Ability to contextualize and interpret philosophical texts
ABILITY TO APPLY KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING Ability to explore and deepen the foundational categories of Western modernityINDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT:
• Ability to develop a pluralistic perspective on complex problems
COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
• Ability to express oneself using philosophical vocabulary
LEARNING SKILLS:
• Ability to deepen one’s knowledge of the subject independently
INDEPENDENT JUDGEMENT:
• Ability to develop a pluralistic perspective on complex problems

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5: communication skills). The final grade will be based 70% on the student’s depth of knowledge and 30% on the student’s ability for expression (written and oral) and independent critical thinking. The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria: – Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language. – 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language. – 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical. – 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical. – 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language. 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.

Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:

The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5: communication skills).
The final grade will be based 70% on the student’s depth of knowledge and 30% on the student’s ability for expression (written and oral) and independent critical thinking.
The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
– Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language.
– 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language.
– 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical.
– 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical.
– 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language.
30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.

Attendance modalities:
Lectures with slides. Group discussion of topics and texts. Attendance and participating to topic discussions.