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 second half of the 18th 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 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 end of the nineteenth 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.
Final examination requires knowledge of both the following handbooks: T. Detti, G. Gozzini, Storia contemporanea. I. L'Ottocento (rather Pearsons 2017 than Bruno Mondadori, 2016), and T. Detti, G. Gozzini, Storia contemporanea. II. Il Novecento (rather Pearsons 2017 than Mondadori, 2016).
For the final exam is required to study the following two volumes:
S. Rogari, L'età della globalizzazione. Storia del mondo contemporaneo dalla Restaurazione ai giorni nostri, terza edizione, Utet Università, 2018; 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 late 18th 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 late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. 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
Elementary knowledge of events and main issues of modern and contemporary history, as learned in secondary school.
Teaching Methods - Last names A-I
Front lessons by the teacher, individual study of notes from lessons and of the handbooks.
Teaching Methods - Last names J-Z
Lectures: Total hours 72
Further information - Last names A-I
Attendance to lessons is not compulsory, but it's strongly recommended. There is no intermediate test. Students could refers to exercises and tests available on Moodle online platform and the online supports of the handbooks. The students attending the course have to register for the class on the EMoodle platform (http://e-l.unifi.it/ ask professor for the password). Registration is allowed until October, 15th.
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 two-hour written exam, 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 three 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 three 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. After two unsuccessful outcome of the written exam it’s allowed, in agreement with the teacher, an oral examination.
Type of Assessment - Last names J-Z
There will be a mid-term written exam at the end of the second module, which will focus on the program for the first two modules, with open-ended questions. The final exam is also written with the same characteristics. In subsequent appeals the exam will be written or oral depending on the number of students enrolled.
Course program - Last names A-I
Main topics of teacher’s lessons are:
1. An introduction to contemporary history. Contents and methods.
2. Transition to contemporary history: the capitalist proto-globalization
3. Destabilization of imperial China from late 18th to late 19th century
4. Japan and the “Meij restauration”
5. Moghul India and British imperial domination
6. Tsarist Russia and Ottoman Empire in the 19th century: crisis and reforms
7. The United States of America from independence to the civil war
8. Latin America from colonialism to national states
9. Europe from from Ancient Regime to revolution
10. National states in Europe
11. Africa in the 19th century facing the European penetration
12. Colonialism and imperialism
13. Mass society in Europa: progress or revolution?
14. Competition among the national states and the European crisis
15. War and the aftermath in Europa (first part)
16. War and the aftermath in Europa (second part)
17. War and revolution in Russia, Turkey and Mexico
18. (Civil) war and revolution in China
19. The Soviet Union
20. Europe and the Usa in the interwar (first part)
21. Europe and the Usa in the interwar (second part)
22. Europe and the Usa in the interwar (third part)
23. From Spanish civil war to World War Two
24. Crisis of colonial empires: North Africa and Middle East
25. Crisis of colonial empires: India and South-East Asia
26. The Golden Age in Europe
27. Central and eastern Europe after 1945
28. Latin America in the 20th century (first part)
29. Latin America in the 20th century (second part)
30. Third World upsurge and fall (from decolonization to the Seventies)
31. The transition of the Seventies and third globalization
32. Asian paths to modernization (Japan, Cina, India)
33. Europe after 1980
34. Latin America after dictatorships
35. Middle East and North Africa after 1980
36. Conclusions.
Course program - Last names J-Z
The course is divided into three modules and covers a period from the end of the Nineteenth 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.