S0401 Italian Contemporary History

The course is an introduction to Italian modern politics, society and culture, in a historical and comparative perspective. Students will be provided with a basic knowledge of the main events and issues relating to the period 1796-2003, from Napoleon to Berlusconi, i.e. from the process of Nation-Building to the Present.\r\n

Topics may include: geographic diversity and Historical processes (mountains, countryside and cities – ideas of \"Nature\" in Italy – cities as organizing principles of Italian life - North/South divide); the Catholic Church and education of sentiments (the relationship between Mother and Son – Protestant versus Catholic Societies – the Catholic Church and the late formation of a Modern State in Italy); the Risorgimento (Italy as the \"Land of Art and Beauty\" – the idea of \"Italy\" throughout the Centuries – the role of Literature in the process of Unification); building the Nation-State, 1860-1914 (Parliamentary Monarchy – Liberals, Socialists and Catholics – State and Church relations –the debate on the creation of a national Language); The Southern Question, Emigration and Industrial take-off, 1860-1914 (the \"Civil War\" in the South - the origins of the Mafia - Italy as a second comer: economy and ideology); First World War, the origins and development of Fascism, 1914-1929 (interventionism and neutralism – D\'Annunzio and Fiume – how does a dictatorship rise to power?); Structures and Policies of the \"Totalitarian State\", 1929-1940 (Italy compared to Germany and Spain – Cultural policies of the Regime – the role of Women under Fascism); Second World War, 1940-1945 (Italo-German Relations – Italian Racialism and anti-Semitism – the Resistance – the War in Italian Literature and Collective Memory); the Italian Republic and the Cold War, 1945-1994 (Communists and Christian Democrats – 1968 and after – Political Terrorism - Craxi); the Great Transformation, since 1958 (Economic Miracle – Industrial Districts – changes in Society and the Physical Landscape); Recent Trends, since 1994 (further changes in economy and society – Politicians on trial - European Union - debate on Constitutional Reform – Northern Secessionism - Berlusconi).

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The course will be structured in twenty-four sessions of 1.5 hours, consisting of interactive lectures and discussions, plus a final session during Exam Week. Use of audio-visual material will be made: slides, transparencies and songs. Movies shown every Monday evening - selected by Prof. Pes - will contribute to the understanding of Italian culture and History.

\r\nStudents are expected to read the proposed texts before class, make an oral presentation based on at least two articles, take part in class discussions and submit a final written paper of no less than ten pages with notes and bibliographical references. The topics of the papers will be chosen by the students themselves, in consultation with the Professor. After Half Term, the professor will assist students in writing the final research paper, doing periodic individual revisions.