The course covers the main socio-political issues featuring contemporary history at European and global level. Focus is on the genesis of modernization processes in the 19th century, the development of major areas of the world between the 19th and 20th centuries, with particular attention to the establishment of European hegemony and the construction of nation States, and the dynamics of globalization and regional development till the early 21th century.
Course Content - Last names J-Z
The course is divided into three modules, describing the great transformations of European and international society from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present. Particular attention is reserved to Italian history. A part of the course will have a monographic character and will be dedicated to illustrating new areas of study and new trends in contemporary political history.
For the final exam is required to study the following two volumes:
T. Detti – G. Gozzini, Storia contemporanea, vol. 2, Il Novecento, seconda edizione, Pearson, 2021 ;
M. Baioni, F. Conti (a cura di), La politica nell'età contemporanea. I nuovi indirizzi della ricerca storica, Carocci, 2017.
Learning Objectives - Last names A-I
Fundamental knowledge of main events and political and social transformations in European and world history since 19th century to present days. Introductory use of the main analytical tools and interpretations of contemporary history, supported by some elementary demographic and economic knowledge. Basic skills in evaluating a historical source, in explaining and connecting main historical process, in proposing some elementary interpretations.
Learning Objectives - Last names J-Z
At the end of the course students will have acquired a good knowledge of Italian and international history of the twentieth century. They will also have acquired a good knowledge of new fields of study and new trends in contemporary political history. Students will therefore be able to deal with more specific subjects of study for the degree course with a more appropriate skill set.
Prerequisites - Last names A-I
Basic knowledge of events and main issues of modern and contemporary history, as learned in high school.
Teaching Methods - Last names A-I
Front lessons by the teacher, participation in class, individual study of notes from lessons and of the suggested handbook. Teacher's front lessons concern some relevant topics, therefore are not introductory to the handbook. Students should learn the handbook individually, along the ongoing of the course.
Teaching Methods - Last names J-Z
Lectures: total hours 63
Further information - Last names A-I
Attendance to lessons is not compulsory, but it's strongly recommended. Students attending classes are invited to study the suggested handbook along the course. Students attending the lessons have to register for the class on the Moodle platform (http://e-l.unifi.it/) not later than 11th October 2020
Further information - Last names J-Z
Attendance is not mandatory, but highly recommended.
Type of Assessment - Last names A-I
The final examination is intended to verify the acquisition of learning outcomes through the holding of a three-hour written test, without any notes, books or other tools. The written examination consists of a series of short answer questions designed to test the basic knowledge and the sense of contextualization, and five extended-answer questions about general topics and issues dealt with in the teaching program, designed to check the depth of knowledge and ability to synthesize, argumentation and problematization. It is required to reply to all five extended-answer questions. The evaluation of the results, albeit expressed in numerical terms, is qualitative, in connection with the demonstrated possession of knowledge and argumentative ability.
Type of Assessment - Last names J-Z
Written test.
For attending students there will be an intermediate test at the end of the second module.
Course program - Last names A-I
Orientativamente, gli argomenti trattati a lezione sono i seguenti:
1. Cosa è la storia contemporanea?
2. Il 1870 nella storia d’Europa
3. Il 1870: uno sguardo sul mondo
4. Globalizzazioni di fine secolo e nuovi imperi coloniali
5. La seconda rivoluzione industriale
6. Il 1905 e dintorni: guerra e rivoluzione
7. Perché scoppiò il primo conflitto mondiale?
8. Dopo la guerra: il trionfo dello stato nazionale?
9. Democrazie
10. Fascismi
11. Domini coloniali del primo Novecento
12. La rifondazione del mondo islamico
13. Guerra civile e rivoluzione in Cina
14. La crisi degli anni Trenta
15. La seconda guerra mondiale
16. La “guerra fredda“
17. La Golden Age
18. Il “campo” socialista
19. Populismi, sviluppo e dittature in America Latina
20. La crisi del colonialismo
21. Che cos’è il Terzo Mondo?
22. Liberazione “nazionale”, dall’Indocina all’Algeria e dintorni
23. Gli anni Settanta dell’Occidente
24. Nazionalismo e islamismo in Medio Oriente
25. La fine del Terzo mondo (e la nascita del Quarto?)
26. Il ritorno della democrazia in Europa e in America latina
27. La globalizzazione
28. Lo sviluppo in Asia: la Cina
29. L'India da Gandhi a oggi
30. Genocidi di fine Novecento
31. Il Medio-Oriente degli anni Duemila
32. Riepilogo e discussione finale
Course program - Last names J-Z
The course is divided into three modules and covers a period from the beginning of the twentieh Century to the present day. The first module deals with the great changes in Europe and in the world in the period from 1870 to the thirties of the twentieth century (second industrial revolution and mass society, imperialism and colonialism, World War I and the Russian Revolution, the birth of totalitarianism, etc..). The second module will outline the most important world events since 1945 (the Cold War, decolonization, European integration, globalization, new conflicts). In both modules, particular attention will be devoted to Italian history. Some lessons will be devoted to illustrating the new fields of research and the new trends in contemporary political history. Among the topics covered will include: Generations, youth movements and politics, propaganda and political communication, violence and politics, art and politics, sports and politics, emotions and politics, symbols, rituals and politics.