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Academic Year 2002/2003

Dissimulation, Truth and Power: Making up Machiavelli
FIST 238 FA

Politics is the realm of appearances, the place for making up ideas and identities, the theatre of dissimulation, where truth is subjected to power and power is mingled with lies. Machiavelli is the master-mind of the political game. The famous maxim: "the end justifies the means" is attributed to him, even though he never put it on paper. At a closer look, messer Niccolo appears to be less ruthless than he is usually portrayed. His life raises the issue of morality in politics. After serving as a Chancellor for the Republican government, he tried to gain favor under the princely Medici returned from exile to Florence. On a comparative level, this course will also take a glimpse to the works of his more successful friends Francesco Guicciardini and Francesco Vettori.

MAJOR READINGS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: HA ITAL    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Simonetta,Marcello   

Times: .M.W... 07:00PM-08:20PM;     Location: RLAN106

Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 19)

SR. major: 3   Jr. major: 2

SR. non-major: 4   Jr. non-major: 4   SO: 4   FR: 2

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal:    Speaking, Writing

Last Updated on MAR-18-2003

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