WORLD PHILOSOPHIES

World Philosophies is part of a broader Master’s program dedicated to World Cultural Heritage. Within the international cultural context of the Ca’ Foscari International College, where humanities, politics, and international relations are studied in depth, World Philosophies aims to introduce students to the systems of knowledge that underpin the cultural, social, and political life of prominent countries on the global stage.

The course aims to provide: 1) an introductory framework of some of the main non-European traditions of thought; 2) the acquisition of conceptual and lexical tools; 3) the ability to present in an efficacious way what has been learnt during the course.

The course does not have specific entry requirements.

The course is structured around guest lectures by internationally renowned specialists in major non-European philosophical traditions, alongside the active participation of students through questions and observations in each session.
The program is divided into two main parts. The first part includes an introductory two-hour lecture followed by six three-hour seminar sessions, each dedicated to a specific theme such as Chinese, Japanese, and Islamic philosophies, as well as recent trends in global philosophy like American Pragmatism, Environmental Ethics, and the Philosophy of Music. The second part consists of five two-hour sessions where each student will present and discuss a chosen topic with the instructor and their classmates.

• Primary Reference Text: Jay L. Garfield & William Edelglass (eds.), The Oxford Handbook of World Philosophy (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011).
• Study Materials: Abstracts & Bibliographical references; Handouts and/or PowerPoint presentations.

Assessment will take place in two steps:
(1) Learning outcomes will be evaluated during the course on the basis of active participation in the various sessions and the presentation of a topic of the student’s choice, designed to assess lexical appropriateness and the ability to present and argue (50%).
(2) The course will conclude with a final examination consisting of a written exam with questions on the seminars, designed to assess basic knowledge of world philosophies (50%).

written and oral

The grading will be on a scale ranging from 0 to 30.
o 18 to 23: Sufficient level of preparation.
o 24 to 28: Good level of preparation.
o 29 to 30L: Excellent level of preparation.

Seminar-style lectures, group work, and conferences featuring external experts.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development