A working knowledge of English and a basic acquaintance with the principal trends in western
thought, especially during the nineteenth century.

The main aims of this course are to reach a comprehensive understanding of Thoreau's "Walden"
and the ideas contained in it, to develop the ability to argue effectively and to articulate a
particular thesis in written form.

Between civilization and wilderness: Walking through Thoreau's "Walden"

Published in 1854, "Walden; or, Life in the Woods" brings to fore ideals of simple living and self-
sufficiency. Thoreau formulated his major philosophical ideas by both relying on the practice of
self-introspection and devoting himself to a careful observation of nature in its daily and seasonal
changes. "Walden" will be read and discussed in class as one of the most characteristic examples
of the cultural movement known as the American transcendentalist philosophy (Thoreau was a
pupil of Ralph Waldo Emerson). The text, however, can also be used as a vademecum to address
many of today's issues concerning the relationships between humankind and nature.

• 1.  (A) Henry David Thoreau Walden Oxford University Press, Oxford , 1997
• 2.  (C) Russell B. Goodman American Philosophy before Pragmatism Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2015 » Pagine/Capitoli: pp. 200-233.
• 3.  (C) Henry David Thoreau Walden, Civil Disobedience and Other Writings Norton, New York, 2008

Further bibliography (sources and critical literature) will be provided during the course according to specific demands from students.

• The course is based on a careful reading of "Walden" and on a thorough contextualization - both
  philosophical and historical - of the principal themes addressed in the text. Students will be
  encouraged to engage in class with the main topics examined during the course, through
  questions, comments and critical remarks. Preparation of the written assignment required for the
  final exam will start early on during the term, through one-to-one meetings between student and
  teacher and through discussions of potential preliminary drafts.

• Learning will be assessed through: 1) participation in class in the form of questions and
  discussions; 2) a written essay of about 4,000 words on one of the topics examined during the
  course, to be sent to the teacher by email at least ten days before the date of the final exam 3)
  final oral exam, where the student will also have the opportunity to debate the results of the
  written essay.

English

English