The Public Role of Intellectuals
Gabriele De Angelis (12 ECTS, Autumn, Thu, 3:00-6:00)
Intellectuals have exercised a public role all over the history of mankind. The topic has developed into an explicit object of specific intellectual self-reflection especially in modern times. Our seminar series aims to enquire into some of the most prominent efforts that philosophers and novelists have devoted to defining their own position within society at large in the 20th century. We will investigate examples from different cultural contexts that cover different aspects of the phenomenon. Here is a provisional syllabus: 1. Scientific accounts of the public role of the intellectual (M. Weber, J. Benda, K. Mannheim, J. Habermas, R.Rorty). 2. Intellectuals and political engagement (G. Lukacs, A. Gramsci, J.-P. Sartre, I. Calvino, E. Vittorini). 3. Intellectuals and cultural life (E. Said et al.). Ideally, classes will be organised as discussion rounds. To this purpose, participants will be required to read the texts in advance of each session. The evaluation will be based both on a written presentation in the classroom and on a final work on any topic related to the main subject.
