05515 - History of International Relations

Academic Year 2009/2010

  • Docente: David William Ellwood
  • Credits: 10
  • SSD: SPS/06
  • Language: Italian
  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in INTERNATIONAL STUDIES (cod. 8042)

Learning outcomes

The course offers a general introduction to the history of intermnational relations from 1870 to the present day. PArticular themes include the impact of the European imperial heritage on contemporary politics, European-American relations, globalisation as a historical phenomenon.  A special week at the end of the course is dedicated to the use of film as a source for the study of international history, with some examples.

Readings/Bibliography

-H. A. KISSINGER, L'arte della diplomazia, Milano, Sperling & Kupfer, 2004

-WOLFANG J. MOMMSEN, L'età dell'imperialismo, Milano, Feltrinelli, 1979

-DAVID STEVENSON, The First World War and International Politics, Oxford, OUP, 1988

-ANDREAS HILLGRUBER, La distruzione dell'Europa. La Germania e l'epoca delle guerre mondiali. (1914-1945), Bologna, Il Mulino, 1991  

(OR ALTERNATIVELY:

-ANDREAS HILLGRUBER, Storia della Seconda guerra mondiale, Bari, Laterza, 1994)

-R.J.OVERY, Crisi tre le due Guerre mondiali 1919-39, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1998 (inc. the documents)

-DAVID ELLWOOD, L'Europa ricostruita. Politica ed economia tra Stati Uniti ed Europa Occidentale, 1945-1955, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1994

-GIUSEPPE MAMMARELLA, Destini incrociati.Europa e Stati Uniti, Bologna, Mulino,  (any edition)

-JOSEPH SMITH, La guerra fredda, Bologna, Mulino, 2000

(or alternatively:

-J.W.YOUNG, Cold War Europe, A Political History, London, Arnold, 1991)

MARK  GILBERT,  Storia politica dell'integrazione europea. Laterza 2005

-DAVID REYNOLDS, Britannia Over-ruled. British Politics and World Power in the Twentieth Century, Cambridge, CUP, 1991

-SERGIO ROMANO, Guida alla politica estera italiana, Milano, Rizoli, 1993

-ANTONIO VARSORI, L'Italia nelle Relazioni internazionali dal 1943 al 1992, Bari, Laterza, 1998

-VALDEVIT  GIAMPAOLO, I volti della potenza: gli Stati Uniti e la politica internazionale nel Novecento, Roma, CArocci, 2004

-RITA DI LEO, Il primato americano, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1999

- OSTERHAMMEL, J., PETERSSON, NIELS, Storia della globalizzazione, Il Mulino 2007

- ROBSON, S., La prima guerra mondiale, Il Mulino 2007

- SCHREIBER, G. La seconda guerra mondiale, Il Mulino 2007

Teaching methods

Most students will take this course as one 9 week block. A tenth optional week will be dedicated to exploring the theme of film as a historical source.

Studenets who who need fewer than the standard 10 credits should consult the lecturer.

Assessment methods

The exam for 10 credits is based on the study of 4 books. These must include one of the two basic texts, plus three from the course bibliography. Choice of these three is free, as long as one is in Italian.

Those who need fewer credits should consult the lecturer.

The exam will be written if those signed up for any particular session are more than 50, oral if less.

Teaching tools

Basic Texts:

-G. FORMIGONI, Storia della politica internazionale nell'età contemporanea, Bologna, Mulino (any edition)

ENNIO DI NOLFO, Dagli imperi militari agli imperi tecnologici, Bari, Laterza, 2002

Office hours

See the website of David William Ellwood