Philosophy

LISA ROSCIONI

The course intends to attain the following specific objectives. Knowledge and ability to understand (Dublin descriptor A): knowledge of a philosophical problem in historical and critical perspective; knowledge of a philosophical period and context with a focus on the long-term nature of the issues addressed; knowledge of key concepts and terms in historical perspective. Application skills (descriptor B): ability to understand and interpret classic texts of the discipline; ability to analyze the texts from a historical and critical perspective. Autonomy of judgment (descriptor C): ability to reconstruct a historical-philosophical context; ability to argue the topic under study (also through the stimulus to participate actively). Communication skills (descriptor D): ability to use a technical vocabulary; ability to argue the topics covered. Learning skills (descriptor E): ability to delve into philosophical questions and problems, even in a personal way (by learning a method, searching for a reference bibliography, etc.).

The course aims to provide knowledge and understanding of the methodological, critical and applicable aspects of the Discipline; it proposes geographical areas and sectorial perspectives in which related projects are activated; it shows the variability of fields of interest; it enables the student to master the specific topics in order to use them and apply them in other fields of study while using the correct specific language. With the acquired knowledge the student will be able to develop autonomous ability of connections with other disciplines in the various historical epochs and cultural contexts.

Basic historical knowledge

Other People's Lives. History and Biography

This course approaches biography as a historiographical problem. Writing an individual's life does not mean merely reconstructing its events, but questioning the relationship between the single case and general processes, between the documentary trace and narrative imagination, between what the sources say and the gaps they leave. Starting from the renewed interest in biography within the historiography of recent decades, the course examines the methodological questions the genre raises: the construction of identity, the play of scales, and the role of fiction and writing. Alongside theoretical texts, it analyses specific cases of lives reconstructed by historians — famous figures and obscure ones, classic and experimental biographies — in order to assess how the choice of point of view and narrative strategy shapes historical knowledge.

The course is seminar-based, and regular attendance is therefore strongly recommended.

Students are required to prepare a search on a topic to be agreed upon with the Professor. The search will be presented and discussed during class sessions.

Students who do not attend the course are required to contact the Professor.

Bibliografia di riferimento

Riccardo Castellana (a cura di), Biografia e autobiografia. Scritture di vita dall'antichità a oggi, Roma, Carocci, 2025
Riccardo Castellana, Finzioni biografiche. Teoria e storia di un genere ibrido, Carocci 2019
Sabina Loriga, La piccola x. Dalla biografia alla storia, Palermo, Sellerio, 2012

La bibliografia completa verrà pubblicata all'inizio del corso che si terrà nel secondo semestre
I non frequentanti dovranno concordare jl programma con la docente.

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The course will have a seminar conduction with the active participation of the students, who will be invited to carry out oral presentations of research that will be valid for the purposes of the final evaluation. (option valid only for summer exam sessions). Attendance is therefore strongly recommended

On class

Oral evaluation and presentation of individual work

Critical examination of the texts in the program