OVERVIEW

The course of Contemporary History (unit A) is in line with the objectives of the degree course in Modern Languages ​​and Cultures (LCM), as it intends to provide the essential tools for understanding, in a transnational perspective, the dynamics, processes and events of the contemporary world, in a phase between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of XXI century

The teaching is aimed at students with surnames A-L

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is provide students with basic knowledge of 19th and 20th century history both from a political-institutional and social-economic point of view, in order to achieve four main targets: contextualize events, identify causes and effects; being able to undertake historical research through the correct use of sources; being familiar with various historiographical interpretations; efficiently communicate the contents learned.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aims:

The aim of this course is to provide a basic framework for the understanding of the main political, social, economic and cultural phenomena of the contemporary age (from the French Revolution to the end of the Cold War), setting them into a national as well as into a global perspective.

Learning outcomes:

Specific objectives of the course are the knowledge and analysis of sources for the study of the contemporary age, the understanding of human phenomena and processes in the period under examination, the diachronic orientation and the ability to establish relationships between historical facts, the analysis of the relationship between event and representation, the acquisition of the basic tools and methodologies of historiographic investigation.

At the end of the course, students must:

- know the fundamental events of the discipline

- critically analyze historical processes

- understand the fundamental nodes of contemporary historical evolution

- be able to recognize and analyze sources for the study of contemporary history

- explain the contents learned with clarity and historical language properties

PREREQUISITES

A good knowledge of written and spoken Italian is necessary to pass the exam

For foreign students a basic knowledge of the Italian language is sufficient, cf. the paragraph “C.II.4. Avvertenze per gli studenti stranieri”, of the “Guida ai Corsi di Studio in Lingue del Dipartimento di Lingue e Culture Moderne”, a.y. 2025-2026.

General knowledge of the main historical periods; familiarity with key events and major historical processes; understanding of fundamental concepts such as primary and secondary sources, cause and effect, continuity and change; ability to place events, figures, and phenomena in chronological order.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons will be in presence for a total of 36 hours. The use of multimedia resources and powerpoint presentations is foreseen. Interventions by expert teachers and researchers on particular topics of the course will be possible.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

During the course the concept of history will be developed and the meaning attributed to the discipline and work of the historian will be deepened. Topics such as the scientific method, the objectivity and subjectivity of history, the purposes of historical knowledge, historical time, periodizations, archives will be explored. Particular attention will be paid to the types, criticism and use of historical sources. Case studies relating to particular types of sources will be taken into consideration, showing in detail their potential and limits in relation to concrete examples of historical reconstruction.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The program for attending students is:

1) Lecture notes

2) G.Sabbatucci, V. Vidotto, Storia contemporanea. Dalla Grande Guerra a oggi, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2019 (for ATTENDING students ONLY the preparation of chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 is required)

3) 1 book chosen (list)

The program for NON attending students is:

1) G.Sabbatucci, V. Vidotto, Storia contemporanea. Dalla Grande Guerra a oggi, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2019 (for NON ATTENDING students the preparation of the WHOLE manual is required).

2) 2 book chosen (list)

List of books to choose from:

Babini, Valeria P. Liberi tutti. Manicomi e psichiatri in Italia: una storia del Novecento. Bologna, Il mulino, 2009.

Bini, Daniela. Sovversive. Le donne nella lotta armata. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2025.

Bonvini, Alessandro. Risorgimento atlantico. I patrioti italiani e la lotta internazionale per le libertà. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2022.

Caffarena, Fabio. Dal fango al vento. Gli aviatori italiani dalle origini alla grande guerra. Torino, Einaudi, 2010.

Capogreco, Carlo Spartaco. I campi di Salò. Internamento ebraico e shoah in Italia. Torino, Einaudi, 2025.

Colombini, Chiara. Storia passionale della guerra partigiana. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2023.

Flores, Marcello, Franzinelli, Mimmo. Storia della Resistenza. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2019.

Gibelli, Antonio. L'officina della guerra. La grande guerra e le trasformazioni del mondo mentale. Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 2007.

Gissi, Alessandra, Stelliferi, Paola. L'aborto. Una storia. Roma, Carocci, 2023.

Gozzini, Giovanni, La mutazione individualista. Gli italiani e la televisione, 1954-2011. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2011.

Labanca, Nicola. Prigionieri, internati, resistenti: memorie dell'altra Resistenza. Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2024.

Luzzatto, Sergio. Dolore e furore. Una storia delle Brigate rosse. Torino, Einaudi, 2023.

Mamone, Graziano. I frati del popolo. I cappuccini alle elezioni del 18 aprile 1948. Firenze, Le Monnier, 2025.

Milazzo, Fabio. Il tifo violento in Italia. Teppismo calcistico e ordine pubblico negli stadi (1947-2020). Milano, FrancoAngeli, 2022.

Molinari, Augusta. Il ministero delle donne. L’Ufficio notizie della grande guerra. Bologna, Il mulino, 2024.

Pappé, Ilan, Brevissima storia del conflitto tra Israele e Palestina: dal 1882 a oggi, traduzione di Valentina Nicolì, Roma, Fazi, 2024.

Proglio, Gabriele. I fatti di Genova. Una storia orale del G8. Roma, Donzelli, 2021.

Rivetti, Paola. Storia dell'Iran: rivoluzione, guerra e resistenza. 1979-2025, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2026.

Salomoni, Alessandra. Lenin a pezzi. Distruggere e trasformare il passato. Bologna, Il Mulino, 2024.

Sangiovanni, Andrea. Specchi infiniti. Storia dei media in Italia dal dopoguerra ad oggi. Roma, Donzelli, 2021.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

The classes start in the first semester, according to the schedule.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral exam either at the end of the course and at all the scheduled dates. 

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The examination committee verifies the achievement of the course’s objectives, taking into account the following factors: a) level of mastery of the fundamental notions; b) ability to apply knowledge (source analysis); c) ability of critical reasoning on the topics studies; d) ability to organize knowledge discursively, using a specific language appropriate for the discipline.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Prof. Sara Dickinson (sara.dickinson@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.