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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "PL 215-2"
COURSE NAME: "Italian Politics and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Simoncini Gabriele
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 16:00-17:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: PL 223 recommended for students majoring in Political Science and International Affairs
OFFICE HOURS: M W 15:30 - 16:00
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course attempts to provide the student with a general understanding of Italian politics and society.  Priority is given to conceptualization of different phenomena and historical development.  Critical thinking and comparative analysis will be applied to achieve a clear understanding of Italian history, society and political change.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

This course covers political and social change in the recent history of Italy to the present, focusing on current political life and society.  A general historical introduction is provided.  Economic, social, and cultural aspects are treated.  Political theories, political movements, and ideologies including Liberalism and Communism are covered.  Nationalism and the Fascism era are analyzed.  Investigation focuses on transitional phenomena, political players, and structural fundamentals.  Italy is studied in the context of European Integration and the broader global scenario.  Particular attention is dedicated to specific social issues including, corruption, political terrorism, and the Mafia.  The Italian educational system, labor movement, and the “Made in Italy” business are treated.  The Vatican, Catholic Church, and Freemasonry are analyzed.  Identity and ethnicity are addressed including the issues of national identity, regionalism, separatism, and federalism.  The program covers Italy as a multinational society analysing ethnicity, immigration, and integration, with a special attention to the case of the Roma people.  Major political and scholarly interpretations of the periods and topics covered will be considered.  The class format includes lectures, discussion, team work, presentations, and audiovisual materials. The students will be asked to produce a research project, making extensive personal use of information and communication technology.  Guest speakers and field trips are planned.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will develop the ability to critically analyze the background and the present state of Italian politics.  They will be able to relate Italian political ideas, events, and players to the broader European and global political context.  Experience education, including guest speakers, field trips and team work will allow the students to better comprehend Italian realities.  Students will develop ability to conduct basic research, organize and present their findings in a logical and independent way.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Modern Italy. Foot J.,New York, 2003. 033366904     
The Politics of Italy.Newell J. L.,Cambridge 20109780521600460     
Italy Today: The Sick Man of EuropeMammone A., Veltri G., (eds.)Routledge 2010978-0415561600     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
The Failure of Italian Nationhood: The Geopolitics of a Troubled IdentityGraziano M.,London, 20109780230104136  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Berlusconi’s Italy: Mapping Contemporary Italian Politics.Shin M. E.., Agnew J. A., Philadelphia, 2008.9781592137176  
Modern Italy in Historical PerspectiveCarter N.Bloomsbury Academic 20109780340759011  
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class participation 10%
Midterm exam 20%
Presentation and other assignments 15%
Final exam 25%
Final project (with project proposal and portfolio) 30%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Exams:  Midterm and final exams have the same format.  The exam has two parts of equal value.  The first part is an essay, the student will choose one theme out of three proposed, and will write a well organized essay.  The second part of the exam is made of ten terms to be concisely defined. 

Final research project:  The final paper (3.000 words) will be on any topic of the student’s choice related to the class program.  The topic should be precisely defined and worthy of investigation.  Portfolio:  In order to produce their final papers, students will keep a portfolio of research materials during the semester.  The portfolio will be shared with, and evaluated by the instructor.  The production of the final paper is a work in progress during the semester.  The portfolio and the paper project are progressive steps toward completion of the final paper.

Final paper format:

Cover page - title, student’s name, course name, instructor’s name, semester, year.

Text pages - a well organized research paper with an introduction, a body with critical analyses and evidence presented, and conclusion.

Additional materials (when appropriate) - charts, maps, photos, other materials.

Bibliography pages, listing the journal articles and electronic references.

Presentation:  Students are encouraged to give a short individual or team presentation on a specific topic of their choice related to the class program.  The presentation will be well-organized, concise, and include (when opportune) audiovisual and electronic materials. 


Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work 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 has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.

B:  This 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 and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This 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.

F: This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

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.
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.
SCHEDULE

Program:            

Unit    1                 Introduction.  Methodology.  Definitions.

(Jan. 16, 18)                                                                                                                                                                                                                     (Foot, p. 1-21; assigned readings)

Unit    2                 Italy:  Historical and Cultural Overview.   The Nation and the People.

(Jan. 23, 25)                                                                                                                                                                                                                   (Foot, p. 21-43; assigned readings)

Unit    3                 The Republic and the Nation.  Political Change in Post-War Italy.

(Jan. 30, Feb .1, 3)                                                                                                                                                                                    (Foot, p. 43-53; Bull, p.1-19; assigned readings)

Unit    4                 The Architecture and the Structure of the Italian State.  The Post-War Economy.

(Feb.6 ,8)                                                                                                                                                                                                (Foot, p. 54-70; Bull, p.20-38; assigned readings)

Unit    5                 Justice, Laws and the Legal System.  Political Parties and the Party System.

(Feb. 13, 15)                                                                                                                                                                                           (Foot, p. 70-93; Bull, p.39-62; assigned readings)

Unit    6                 The State and Taxation.  Bureaucracy.  National and Local Institutions.  Elections and Voting Behavior.

(Feb. 20, 22)                                                                                                                                                                                       (Foot, p. 93-110; Bull, p.63-80; (assigned readings)

Unit    7                 Italian Economy and Society.  The Representation of Interests.

(Feb. 27, 29*)                                                                                                                                                                                    (Foot, p. 111-132; Bull, p.81-97; assigned readings)

                             *MIDTERM EXAM

Unit    8                 Industrial Italy.  The Economic Miracle.  “The Southern Question”.  Informal Institutions.  Mafia.  Freemasonry.

(Mar. 5, 7, 9)                                                                                                                                                                                    (Foot, p. 132-158; Bull, p.98-114; assigned readings)

Unit    9                 Political Culture.  Transformism, Consiciationism, Clientelism.  The Government, Parliament and the President.

(Mar. 12, 14)                                                                                                                                                                                 (Foot, p. 159-173; Bull, p.115-137; assigned readings)

Unit  10                 Organized politics.  Catholic Political Parties.  The Left.  The Judiciary.  Central-Local Relations.  Berlusconi’ Italy.

(Mar. 26, 28)                                                                                                                                                           (Foot, p. 173-189; Bull, p.138-154; Shin, p.1-14; assigned readings)

Unit  11                 Governing the Economy.  Central-Local Relations.  The Public-Private Divide.  New Bipolarity 1994-2006.

(Apr. 2, 4)                                                                                                                                                             (Foot, p. 189-212; Bull, p.155-170; Shin, p.15-45; assigned readings)

Unit  12                 The Public-Private Divide. The Big Industry.  The  “Third Italy”.  Party Replacement Italian Style.

(Apr. 9, 11)                                                                                                                                                                                         (Bull, p.171-209; Shin, p.46-64; assigned readings)

Unit  13                  Berlusconi’s Geographical Success.  Current Social and Political Issues in Italian Society. The Post Berlusconi Era.

(Apr. 16, 18)                                                                                                                                                                                       (Bull, p.210-226; Shin, p.65-98; assigned readings)

Unit  14                  Immigration and Integration.  Italy, the European Union, and Globalization.  Conclusion.  Review.

(Apr. 23)                                                                                                                                                                                                                      (Shin, p.99-136; assigned readings)

                                       *  FINAL PAPER  * PORTFOLIO 

 (Apr. 28 May.4,  tba*)    * FINAL EXAM