Course program
The course is structured into three parts.
The first part will be dedicated to show the basic aspects of historical research (sources, periodization, methodology) and the historical processes that characterize the late modern age, starting from the processes of nation-building, nationalization, industrialization and the growth of transnational economic-cultural relations on a global scale. Special attention will be given to the political cultures (liberalism, conservatism, reactionism, democracy, socialism, nationalism, intellectual avant-gardism) and to the mass society.
The second part will analyze the main topics and issues about the history of the Twentieth century and its political, social, cultural, and institutional processes: world wars, crisis of democracy, totalitarian and authoritarian regimes, cold war, decolonization, welfare State and affluent society.
The last part will be focused on the political, economic, cultural, demographic and media characteristics of the last three decades of the 20th Century and the beginning of the new millennium, highlighting the general trend towards an increasing globalization of historical processes and the taking shape of a multipolar international political system.
Attention will also be paid to the Italian history and how it fits into the contemporary historical processes mentioned.
Prerequisites
Not needed. A minimum knowledge of the last high school year history curriculum would be desirable.
Books
- G. Sabbatucci, V. Vidotto, Storia contemporanea. L'Ottocento, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2018;
- G. Sabbatucci, V. Vidotto, Storia contemporanea. Dalla Grande Guerra a oggi, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2019;
- S. Cavazza, P. Pombeni (eds.), Introduzione alla storia contemporanea, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2020, terza edizione.
Frequency
Attendance is not mandatory but it is strongly recommended.
Exam mode
The examination will take place at the end of the course in oral form. It will focus on the topics analysed in the suggested books. A number of three/four questions will be asked to verify the student's level of preparation and the achievement of the educational objectives. Active participation in teaching activities and the ability to reasoning and analysis will contribute to the final evaluation.
Lesson mode
The course will take place through traditional "face to face lessons" with the support of original documents, images and videos.
