05515 - History of International Relations

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will develop a basic knowledge of the main political and economic processes which have left their mark on international history since late 19th century to present. Besides, students will become familiar with the most significant debates on theory and methods which have characterized the international literature. Therefore they will be able to provide in-depth explanations for the meaning of events which most characterize the relations among states and other actors in the global arena.

Course contents

The course is divided into two parts:

I. Elements of history of international relations between the two world wars (1914-1945). From the opposition between the Wilsonian project and Leninism; from the end of anti-nazi coalition to the rise of US-USSR conflict.

II. History of international relations after WWII throught the prism of Cold War (1947-1991). Periodizations and conceptualizations of the Cold War. Dynamics of the rise of the conflict in Europe and its extension to other geopolitical areas. Bipolar confrontations and international economic relations. Intersections between the East-West confrontation and the new conflicts which characterized the North-South axis (decolonization and claims from the "South of the World"). Cold War between ideology and Realpolitik.

Readings/Bibliography

Lessons notes; online resources.
Textbooks:   
- A. Varsori, "Storia internazionale. Dal 1919 a oggi", Il Mulino, 2015 (ATTENTION: new textbook)

- F. Romero, "Storia della Guerra Fredda. L'ultimo conflitto per l'Europa", Einaudi, 2009

- M. Campus (ed), "Sviluppo, crisi, integrazione. Temi di Storia delle relazioni internazionali per il XXI secolo", Bruno Mondadori, 2012

Teaching methods

The course will be organized on a lecture-class basis, integrated with powerpoint presentations, documentary films and other sources when necessary. Further modalities of interaction and participation will be communicated during the course.

Assessment methods

The exam is written. Four open questions will be posed in order to appraise students' capacity of assimilation and synthesis of the contents both of classes and textbooks.

Students' ability to answer in synthetic and coherent form, as well as their ability in comparing problems and situations distant in time and space if required, will be rewarded with top marks. At the same time, the use of proper language and concepts from the discipline of history of international relations, which students will assimilate during the course, will be highly valued.

A superficial and scholastic exposition, as well as the inability to identify the focus of the questions, will preclude to the student the prospect of obtaining a high mark. A lacking knowledge of the textbook will bring to a insufficient evaluation of the exam.

Students attending the course on regular basis will have the opportunity to take a first part of the exam (two questions) after the end of the first half of the course, and to take a second part during the first regular session.

Students attending the course will also have the opportunity to make an exposal to their colleagues about one of the essays from the book “Crisi, sviluppo, integrazione”. The evaluation of the exposal will be contribute to the final mark.

Teaching tools

The course will be organized on a lecture-class basis, integrated with powerpoint presentations, documentary films and other sources when necessary. Further modalities of interaction and participation will be communicated during the course. The powerpoint presentations will be available for the students during the course.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Bernardini