OVERVIEW

The course covers the processes and events of the history of the nineteenth century, starting from the second half of the century, and of the entire twentieth century, up to the beginning of 2000. With reference to national contexts, both singular and in comparative terms, framed in a global perspective, it analyses the great economic, political, social, cultural and international relations transformations of the two centuries. It also introduces the student to the critical use of documentary sources and to the knowledge of the historiographical debate relating to the most relevant historiographical issues.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the and of the Course the student is able to:

- know the main thematic issues of contemporary history from 1815 to nowadays in Italy, in Europe, in the world.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the fundamental scientific knowledge relating to the main issues of the history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and the work of its most important protagonists.

He/she will be able to analyze and critically intersect them, in a diachronic and synchronic key with reference to the different spatial contexts, and to reflect on them by formulating autonomous opinions.

He/she will have the ability to express, with propriety of language and skills of expository organization, the knowledge acquired and  the suitability to undertake further studies in the disciplinary sector and in other similar ones.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of the Italian language.

Basic historical knowledge of the period considered and ability to identify the geographical location of the States.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lecures for a total of 54 hours (equivalent to 9 Cfu), also with the use of powerpoint.  It will be held in face-to- face  and online teaching mode. 

Team code 5oep5mu.

Students with valid certifications of Specific Learning Disabilities (DSA) are invited to contact the teacher and the Department's Disability Representative to agree on teaching methods that, in compliance with the teaching objectives, take into account their individual needs.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Specifically, the following topics will be covered:

1. The Congress of Vienna and the Restoration
2. From the uprisings of 1820-1821 to the 1848 uprising
3. The Italian and German unification
4. The Oriental Question
5. The extra-European world: China, Japan, Latin America; the Civil War in the US
6. Imperialism and colonialism
7. Italy of Giolitti
8. From the Russian Revolution of 1905 to the First World War
9. The Russian Revolution
10. The Treaties of Paris and their consequences
11. Post-war and Fascism
12. The Republic of Weimar; Hitler and the Nazis
13. The Second World War
14. The post-war period and the Cold War
15. Large international post-war crisis. The Middle East knot
16. The fall of communism and the end of the Cold war. 

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Compulsory books for all students:

Alberto Mario Banti, L'età contemporanea. Dalle rivoluzioni settecentesche all'imperialismo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, ultima edizione, a partire dal capitolo 13.

Alberto Mario Banti, L'età contemporanea. Dalla Grande Guerra a oggi, Roma-Bari, Laterza, ultima edizione.

In additio one book chosen from the following:

Giovanni Bernardini, Parigi 1919. La Conferenza di pace, Bologna, il Mulino, 2019.

Gabriella Corona, Breve storia dell’ambiente in Italia, Bologna, il Mulino, 2015

G. Del Zanna, La fine dell’Impero Ottomano, Bologna, il Mulino, 2012.

D. Engel, L’Olocausto, Bologna, il Mulino, 2005.

Jörn Leonhard, Ulrike von Hirschhausen, Imperi e Stati nazionali nell’Ottocento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2014.

In the 'file' section of the Contemporary History Team, 5oep5mu, all the powerpoints used during the lessons will be available.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons start on September 15, 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam, that covers the entire program,  is oral and in Italian. Foreig student can held il in English.

Only if requested on the basis of justified needs it can be kept in written form.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The achievement of the training objectives of the course is verified through two questions, one relating to the 19th century and the other to the 20th century.  If one of the answer were insufficient, a third question will be posed.  An additional question will concern the chosen reading indicated in the program.

The exam will evaluate the student's knowledge, critical reasoning ability, quality of presentation and vocabulary.

FURTHER INFORMATION

All students must join Aulaweb and the Team Contemporary History 5oep5mu.

Please contact the teacher directly via email for any further information.

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