The objectives of the course "Theory and Traditions of Thought" focus on providing students with a deep understanding of the fundamental approaches, analytical models, and concepts of Political Theory. Through this course, students will develop the ability to critically analyze the various theoretical approaches that have shaped political thought over time. Students will also acquire a detailed understanding of the principles and distinctive features of the major ideological traditions, with a particular focus on classical ideological currents. Furthermore, the influence of these ideologies on political and social movements, both past and present, will be explored, allowing students to understand the interconnection between political ideas and their impact on social and political dynamics.

K1: Acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and techniques of the discipline of political science, using the appropriate terminology and the appropriate scientific method K2: To know the principles and values of democracy and sustainable development, in particular, respect for human rights and fundamental rights, gender equality and non-discrimination, the principles of universal accessibility and climate change. K6: To know the main currents of political philosophy, the main contemporary political theories and ideologies and those linked to current political movements K8: Recognize the historical dimension of political and social processes and explain them in terms of it C2: Identify, understand and know how to use the main theoretical and conceptual approaches and frameworks of the different areas of specialization and subdisciplines of political science S1: Be able to debate and formulate critical reasoning, using precise terminology and specialized resources, on political phenomena

1. Theoretical and Methodological Approaches to Political Theory and the History of Political Ideas - Ideology and Political Ideologies - Tasks, Approaches, and Functions of Political Theory 2. Liberalism - Origin and Historical Evolution - Classical Liberalism: Fundamental Features and Thinkers - Contemporary Liberalism: Fundamental Features and Thinkers 3. Conservatism - Origin and Historical Evolution - Classical Conservatism: Fundamental Features and Thinkers - Neoconservatism and Contemporary Conservative Perspectives: Fundamental Features and Thinkers 4. Socialism - Origin and Historical Evolution - Classical Socialism: Fundamental Features and Thinkers - Marxism: Fundamental Features - Contemporary Socialism: Ideological Variants. Fundamental Features and Thinkers 5. Extreme Traditions of Thought - Racism, Colonialism, Imperialism, Fundamentalism, Totalitarianism - Origin and Historical Evolution - Fundamental Features and Thinkers

The subject will consist on both plenary lectures and seminar sessions. The main aim is to provide conceptual tools the students in order to develop their own learning process. Critical and conceptually consistent argumentations, on the basis of the subject themes and lectures, will be most than welcome. Students are expected to constantly compare and cross-check the different ideologies and authors presented throughout the Plenary Lectures. Classical works will be directly read and analyzed. Great importance will be paid to the historical, political and social context that gave birth to these texts. Students are expected to study in depth one particular ideology. The subject will consists on the following activities and tasks: Plenary Lectures Surgery hours to solve potential questions to supervise the Research project Both individual and group work, including compulsory readings and presentation of a group (delimitation of the scope of the analysis, organization of contents, critical selection of bibliography, draft elaboration and final writing and public defense)