00932 - Contemporary History (M-Z)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will acquire an outline of modern history, with a special attention to the social, cultural and political transformations, and the awareness of the complexity and problematic nature of the periodization principles. The student will also acquire a good knowledge of an important theme of the modern era, especially in relation to the historiography debate and the multiplicity of the sources. The student is able to analyze in an autonomous way documents, sources, and authors belonging to the contemporary World.

Course contents

Introduction: historiography and periodization

The origins of the world economic system and the industrial revolution

The American revolution

The French revolution

Environmental history

Napoleon and the Civil Code

Restauration and 1820-31 insurrections

The Italian Risorgimento

1848

Nationalisms

Food and banal nationalism

Gender, family and nation in the long nineteenth century

Social classes: bourgeoisie and workig classes

Globalisation and colonialism

Racism

The West and the conquest of the world

First World War

Fascism Nazism authoritarianism

From the October Revolution to Stalin

Western democracies and cold war

post colonial words

India: decolonization, violence, crisis of democracy.

 

Readings/Bibliography

Alberto Mario Banti, L’età contemporanea. Dalle rivoluzioni settecentesche all’imperialismo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2009 o altre edizioni, capitoli: da 1 a 9 compreso; 112;17;18;18;20;21;24

Alberto Mario Banti, L’età contemporanea. Dalla Grande guerra a oggi, Rom-Bari, Laterza, 2009 o altre edizioni. Capitoli 1, 2,3, 4, 5,7, 8, 9,10,11,12.

Guido Abbattista, "Umanità in mostra. Esposizioni etniche e invenzioni esotiche in Italia (1880-1940)", Trieste, EUT Edizioni Università di Trieste, 2013, pp. 613. Open access https://www.openstarts.units.it/handle/10077/9484

Ilaria Porciani, “La nazione in mostra. Musei storici europei”, in Passato e Presente, 79, 2010, pp. 109 – 132.

Ilaria Porciani, Famiglia e nazione nel lungo Ottocento in “Passato e Presente” (scaricabile attraverso le risorse di rete di UNIBO SBA)

Amitav Ghosh, La grande cecità (qualsiasi edizione) parte II Storia

Teaching unit on India, populism and crisis of democracy (to be published in the online teaching tools)

This applies to attenders and non-attenders alike.

Teaching methods

lessons

Assessment methods

Oral exam.

Thorough in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in the course, together with analytical and critical skills and command of the specific language, will qualify for top marks (30-30L).

A good grasp of the topics covered in the course, together with good critical analysis and command of the specific language, will qualify for high marks (27-29).

A more mechanical and less articulate grasp, and/or correct use of language though not always appropriate, will qualify for a medium-range mark (23-26).

Weak analytical capacity and frequently inappropriate language – together with some knowledge of exam material – will receive a pass mark or little more (18-22).

Teaching tools

power point, parts of films, web resources

Office hours

See the website of Ilaria Porciani