Santa Reparata International School of Art Course Syllabus

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1 Lecure Course Santa Reparata International School of Art Course Syllabus Semester Course Course Title: History of Contemporary Italy: Literature, Cinema, Politics and Culture Course Number: PSCI 370 Credits: 3, Contact Hours: COURSE DESCRIPTION In this course students will study the history of Contemporary Italy from WWII (the 1940 s and the birth of the Italian Republic) and continue on through to the development and the radical change of the country during the 1960 s, the long Anni Settanta and the so called years of lead, contemporary Italian politics up through most recent historical events. Introduction to major literary, cinematographic and artistic movements are covered as well as social aspects of Italian life including topics such as the Italian political system; the development of the Italian educational system; the roots and influence of the Italian Mafia; and the changing role of women in Italian society. 2. CONTENT INTRODUCTION This course introduces students to the history and politics of contemporary Italy from the time of WWII to the present. The course is divided into five parts, with the first part focusing on the transformation of the country and its eventual industrialization. We will study the reconstruction and economic boom of the 1950s and 1960s, social post-war conflict, and the year with the student and worker protests - and the final changing of Italian social geography. Great importance will be given to internal migration, from south to north and to the development of the Mafia. The second part of the course focuses on the history of the 1970s, later called the Years of Lead, because of terrorist escalation culminating with the assassination of MP Aldo Moro in May 1978 by the Red Brigades. The third part of the course focuses on the 1980s, the economic consecration of Italy between the world s big countries, and the progressive de-industrialization. The fourth part is devoted to understanding the present. We travel through the establishment of the European Union and the birth of the new currency: the Euro. We investigate Italian politics of the 1990s; the political earthquake that goes under the name of Tangentopoli; and the terrorist strategy of the Mafia at the beginning of the decade (bombs in Florence, Rome and Milan and the assassination of Judges G. Falcone and P. Borsellino) until the rise and the final affirmation of Silvio Berlusconi and Berlusconismo, the Government of Mario Monti (2011); the political elections of February 2013 and the latest events that have lead Matteo Renzi in power in The fifth and final part is devoted to the evolution of the current Italian society and politics, the economic crisis and the end of the so-called "Second Republic". The course is organized along a chronological and inter-related thematic sequence. The lectures will be organized in order to always provide a historical introduction to the topics addressed, followed by a lecture given by specialists on the subject. There will be many guest lecturers: scholars who will allow us to delve deeply into the themes. We dedicate an abundance of space to fashion, design, fine arts,

2 music, literature and film, without ever losing sight of a basic concept: Italy is easier to be loved than to be understood. The goal of this course is to accomplish both. There will also be an indepth analysis of the political crisis and transformation of the Italian democratic system today. 3. PREREQUISITES As this course is an introduction to modern and contemporary Italian history, there are no special requirements to attend. 4. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES This course is intended to provide students whether they are majors in History, Political Science or whether they have taken only an introductory course with specific answers to the question "what is Italy?". It is intended to stimulate discussion and critical thinking about representations and idealizations of the concept of Italy, its role during the 20th century in particular, as well as its current significance. Students will develop their awareness and understanding of the major historical and political issues that characterize modern Italy, and they will be able to trace them through the history of the past century and the beginning of this one. They will also be able to identify the main regional cultural traits and differences. Students should gain a command not only of the "facts" of contemporary Italian political history; the dates of key events; the importance of major personalities and such, but also come to understand the dynamics involved such as the basic trends of continuity and change; and the cause and effect and the role and influence of regional, national and international events in the Italian historical and political scenario. 5. REQUIRED TEXTBOOKS AND MATERIALS Students are required to keep notes from class. Students will find assignments and readings, every week, on the SRISA website in the section dedicated to Academic Material ( Only registered users can access these pages. At least one of the following textbooks are required, plus another book that can be arranged with the instructor: 1. GINSBORG, P., A History of Contemporary Italy Society and Politics , London: Penguin, BLACK, Ch., Early Modern Italy: a Social History, Routledge, New York-London BOSWORTH, R.J.B., Mussolini s Italy. Life Under the Fascist Deictatorship, , Penguin CLARK, M., Modern Italy, 1871 to the Present, Longman 2008 (2rd edition). 5. DE GRAND, A. Italian Fascism. Its Origins and Development, Third Edition, Nebraska: University of Nebraska Press, DOUMANIS, N., Inventing the Nation Italy, London, Arnold, FORGACS, D. and LUMLEY, R. (eds.), Italian Cultural Studies An Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press, DUGGAN, Ch., A Concise History of Italy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, GINSBORG, P., Italy and Its Discontents Family, Civil Society, State , London: Penguin HAYCRAFT, J., Italian Labyrinth, London, Penguin, 1987.

3 11. MCCARTHY, P., The Crisis of the Italian State. From the Origins of the Cold War to the Fall of Berlusconi & Beyond, London: Macmillan, SASSOON, D. Contemporary Italy Politics, Economy & Society since 1945, London: Longman, CLARK, M., Modern Italy, , Longman FOOT, J. Modern Italy, Palgrave and MacMillian J. DICKIE, Cosa Nostra. A history of Sicilian Mafia, Palgrave MacMillian A.G.D. MARAN, Mafia: Inside the Dark Heart: The Rise and Fall of the Sicilian Mafia, Thomas Dunne M. B. MIGNONE, Italy Today, Peter Lang R. SAVIANO, Gomorrah, Ferrar 2007 (all editions are accepted). NOTE: 1. Almost all the textbooks are available in the School s Library, but not all of them. Handouts will be given by the instructor at the beginning of class when necessary. 2. Further readings will be required and indicated by the professor in class (see above). 6. GRADING POLICY AND EVALUATION PROCEDURES 20% Attendance 20% Class participation 20% Mid-term test 20% Final Paper 20% Final exam Following grading system will be observed: A Excellent 4.0 (95% -100%) A- 3.7, (90% to 94%) B+ 3.3 (87% to 89%) B Above Average 3.0 (83% to 86%) B- 2.7 (80% to 82%) C+ 2.3 (77% to 79%) C Average 2.0 (73% to 76%) C- 1.7 (70% to 72%) D Below Average 1.0 (60% to 69%) F Failure 0.0 (59% and below) W Withdrawal EXAMS There is a Mid-term Test and a Final Exam for this course. No make-ups are allowed for the exams and the dates of the exams CANNOT be changed for any reason. If a student misses the Final exam, the final grade will be an F. Mid-term Test (20% of final grade) The exam will last one hour. It will consist of 10 specific essay questions about the assigned readings and the lectures. Final Exam (20 % of final grade) The exam will last one hour. It will consist of 10 specific essay questions about the assigned readings and the lectures. If you need to consult with the instructor on any academic question, it is possible to do so by appointment this should be set up the week before. Guidelines for Final Paper (20% of final grade) The length of the paper should be a minimum of 5 pages. A full bibliography must be included at the end of the paper. Web sites consulted should also be cited.

4 All direct quotations from published sources should be acknowledged in your text immediately following the quotation. This is to avoid any inadvertent plagiarism. All papers should be handed personally to the instructor before the final exam review session. If you need to consult with the instructor on anything relating to the final papers (or indeed on any academic question) it is possible to do so by appointment this should be set up the week before. In the week preceding exams both mid-term and finals Office Hours will be held at a time and place to be announced. 8. ATTENDANCE AND BEHAVIOR POLICY Students may miss up to 2 classes with no penalty to their grade. If you are absent 6 or more times you will receive an F on your transcript. Tardiness: After 10 minutes into class time, students are considered absent. Students who leave 10 minutes before class time ends will be considered absent. Excused absences require a doctor s note or a written note from the Director. Arriving in class unprepared to work is considered an unexcused absence. The use of cellular phones is prohibited during class time. Students are expected to participate in class, act responsibly, and behave properly while on the school premises. Classrooms are to be left in order and clean. Students must take care of equipment and materials and promptly report any damage and/or loss. No eating or drinking in class. Absolutely no feet on chairs or other behaviors contrary to the respect of the others will be tolerated. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action. 9. COURSE CALENDAR Lecture I: Introduction Understanding Italy: From the Unification to Fascism Italy between WWI and WWII. Fascist Italy Lecture II: Italy and Fascism The Totalitarian State (1920 s) Building the consensus (1930 s) Towards the Catastrophe: Italy between Lecture III: WWII: Italy and the War From the Alliance with Germany to the collapse of Fascism: July 25 th 1943: Mussolini arrested. It is the end of Fascism, but the war goes on September 8 th : The armistice and the beginning of the civil war Lecture IV: The Resistenza Partigiani and Repubblichini The end of the war and the new world equilibrium Lecture V: Post war Italy. The difficult reconstruction The new Constitution The Elections of 1948 Christian Democracy vs ICP (Italian Communist Party)

5 Lecture VI: The 1950 s. A new deal for Italy A poor and illiterate Country Unemployment and Inflation. The situation of Italian workers City vs Countryside Lecture VII: The baby-boom Vertical and Horizontal immigration: the industrial triangle Milan-Genoa-Turin A new model, never old: Adriano Olivetti and the dream of a human capitalism Lecture VIII: The 1968 in Italy The roots of the protests Valle Giulia Students and workers Lecture IX: The Strategia della tensione. Italy and the Cold War 1970: The Golpe Borghese. A failed upraising, but why? Years of lead, Red Brigades and Black Terrorism. Why and how? Some Italian mysteries The Affaire Moro Lecture X: Italy in the 1980 s. The Great illusion The Lira goes upon the Bpound Italy as the 5 th economy of the world (!?) The real economic situation Craxi and the socialist Party in power Una Milano da bere Lecture XI: Focusing on Italian Mafia, part I From the origin to the economic boom Lecture XII: Italy and the tv The public channels ( ) Private tv Canale 5 and Silvio Berlusconi Lecture XIII: Italy in the 1990 s, Part I The collapse of the Communist block. Death of the PCI Lecture XIV: From Tantentopoli to the turning point: 1992 The scandal of corruption The Mafia attacks the State Silvio Berlusconi scende in campo Lecture XV: The political change: Centro-destra and Centro-sinistra The Technocracy in Italy, and the Dini Government Romano Prodi and the Ulivo. The elections of 1996 Lecture XVI: Italy today

6 The Elections of 2001 and years of Berlusconi Lecture XVII: Italy today, at the eve of a new election The fall of Berlusconi Technocracy again The elections of February 2013 and the rise of Matteo Renzi 10. DISCLAIMER This Syllabus may be amended as the course proceeds. You will be notified if changes are made.