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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "HS 366"
COURSE NAME: "Italy from Mussolini to the Crisis of the First Republic (1918 to present)"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring 2018
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Vanda Wilcox
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 11:30-12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
Co-requisites: EN 110; Recommended: Junior Standing, One previous history course
OFFICE HOURS:
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An in-depth survey of Italian history from the emergence of Fascism to the crisis of the first Republic in the early 1990s. Focus will be on the breakdown of the Liberal system, the emergence and nature of Fascism, and Mussolini’s “New State,” as well as the achievement and weaknesses of the post-war democratic Republic.
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This course will introduce students to the dramatic period of Italian history from the First World War up to the end of the twentieth century. The chief focus of the course is on the political developments which have marked the century: the emergence of Fascism and the nature of the fascist regime, Italy's involvement in the Second World War and its recovery afterwards, Italian imperialism, the post-war political system and its subsequent downfall in the 1990s.
We will also examine the social, economic and cultural developments of twentieth century Italy, including issues such as religion, gender, social class, education, and popular culture. Key questions including the development of Italian national identity, the relationship of Italian citizens to the state and the problems of regional inequality will be traced through the semester as a whole.
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of the course students will have a thorough knowledge of modern Italy and will have direct experience of considering and engaging with contrasting interpretations of key historical events in recent Italian history. They will have learned about the distinctive features of Italy in the twentieth century and will have been encouraged to make relevant and appropriate comparisons with their existing historical knowledge. Students will also have a greater understanding of different kinds of historical approach including cultural, economic and social history.
Through class discussion students will improve their skills in orally explaining an argument, while through their two papers they will progressively develop transferable skills in research, interpretation, analysis and writing.
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Modern Italy (2nd edition, 2014) | John Foot | Palgrave Macmillan | 9780230360327 | | | | | |
| Modern Italy, 1871 to the present (3rd edition) | Martin Clark | Longman / Rourledge | 9781405823524 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Sport Italia | Simon Martin | I.B. Tauris | 9781845118204 | | Chapter 3 |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Final Exam | | 30% |
| Class Participation | This is not an attendance grade but requires active participation in class discussions: asking questions, offering responses and showing evidence of having completed the assigned readings. | 15% |
| Thematic Research Paper | Using one of the themes explored in John Foot's 'Modern Italy' textbook, you will research and critique one aspect of Italian society from a thematic approach. Full details will be given in class. | 15% |
| Quiz x 4 | 4 short quizzes to be taken via the class Moodle, each worth 5% of your grade, through the semester to check on your progress and understanding. | 20% |
| Independent topic research paper | For your final paper you will select your own choice of topic in agreement with the professor and write a 2000 word research essay. Full instructions will be given in class. | 20% |
-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and displays originality of thought. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course, leading to written work of an excellent quality which fully achieves or even exceeds the criteria set by the assignment. This is an exceptional grade only achieved by a minority of students.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions. Written work shows a good level of research and reading beyond the required material and successfully achieves the criteria set by the assignment. This is a good grade reflecting hard work and ability.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings only. Written work shows a minimum level of research with no real further reading around the topic. It is generally competent but offers little originality, or it may have confused elements. It fulfills all the basic requirements of the assignment.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.fail. Written work shows little evidence of research, lacks citations or cites unacceptable sources (e.g. websites not specifically authorised by the instructor for use).
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant or fails to fulfill the assignment criteria. Any kind of academic dishonesty will also automatically result in an F.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Students must sign in on the class attendance sheet at the start of each class. Students arriving more than 10 minutes after the start of class will be recorded as absent. Please be punctual. Attendance records are based on the sign-in sheet so it is your responsibility to make sure you sign it every class.
CLASS POLICIES
Please note:
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It is not possible to arrange make-ups for mid-term or final exams. See catalogue for further details.
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Please notify me via email if you are going to miss class, in advance where possible.
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Please minimize all forms of disruption to the class: this includes arriving late, constantly leaving to go to the bathroom, eating, using your phone etc. This behaviour is disrespectful and above all distracting to your classmates, and it prevents us from creating a productive working environment.
- It is your responsibility to check the class Moodle site for messages, schedule changes, class readings etc regularly.
- Be aware that all work will be checked for academic dishonesty.
- Late work will not be accepted after the final examination date.
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ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic
dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred.
In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment,
may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of
academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student
who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from
the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation
to the President, who will make the final decision.
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STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap.
Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning
of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
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SCHEDULE
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DRAFT SCHEDULE subject to revision
1. Introduction to Italy in the early twentieth century
2. Italy and the First World War
3. The Peace Settlement and the 'Mutilated Victory'
4. The Biennio Rosso: revolutionary socialism and the emergence of Fascism
5. The crisis of the Liberal State and the March on Rome
6. The establishment of dictatorship
7. Totalitarianism: statism in theory and in practice
(Quiz 1: the rise of fascism)
8. Life in Fascist Italy: gender, the family and social control
9. Fascist culture: art, propaganda and the battle to win consensus
10. The Cult of the Duce: Mussolini and his personality cult (with DVD screening)
11. Fascist Sport
12. Mussolini's Foreign Policy
(Quiz 2: life under the dictatorship)
13. The Italian Empire, 1887-1941
14. Italy at war 1940-43: the 'Parallel War'
15. Italy at war 1943-45: Civil War, Occupation and the Republic of Salò
16. Fascism in context: review & discussion class
17. Post-war reconstruction & the Constitution
18. The 1948 elections & the new republic
19. Italy and the Cold War: NATO membership and foreign policy
(Quiz 3: From the fall of fascism to the birth of a new Italy)
20. The 'economic miracle': Italy and Europe in the 1950s
21. Student radicalism and the protests of 1968
22. Social change: secularization and the women's movement
23. The 'years of lead': terrorism and the 1970s
24. Craxi & the 1980s
(Quiz 4: social conflict & protest movements)
25. Organised crime & politics: the mafia and the state
26. The 'Mani Puliti' investigation and the Fall of the First Republic
27. Italy in the 1990s: the new republic & the rise of Berlusconi
28. Conclusions and Revision
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