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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "PL 215-1"
COURSE NAME: "Italian Politics and Society"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Spring Semester 2012
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Argentieri Federigo
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
MW 13:00-14:15
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
PL 223 recommended for students majoring in Political Science and International Affairs
OFFICE HOURS:
by appointment
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COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This class aims at 1) Presenting an overview of the origins of the Italian republic, including reading through its constitution 2) Describing how its political system reflected the Cold War confrontation; then from 1969 onwards became seriously challenged by multiple terrorist attacks and yet survived them 3) Explaining why and how it experienced dramatic changes at the beginning of the 1990's 4) Observing and analyzing today's main political competitors on the basis of their behavior, strategies, campaigning and the rest
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SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
This class aims at 1) Presenting an overview of the origins of the Italian republic, including reading through its constitution 2) Describing how its political system reflected the Cold War confrontation; then from 1969 onwards became seriously challenged by multiple terrorist attacks and yet survived them 3) Explaining why and how it experienced dramatic changes at the beginning of the 1990's 4) Observing and analyzing today's main political competitors on the basis of their behavior, strategies, campaigning and the rest
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LEARNING OUTCOMES:
This class aims at 1) Presenting an overview of the origins of the Italian republic, including reading through its constitution 2) Describing how its political system reflected the Cold War confrontation; then from 1969 onwards became seriously challenged by multiple terrorist attacks and yet survived them 3) Explaining why and how it experienced dramatic changes at the beginning of the 1990's 4) Observing and analyzing today's main political competitors on the basis of their behavior, strategies, campaigning and the rest
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TEXTBOOK:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments | Format | Local Bookstore | Online Purchase |
| Chronology and Overview | Federigo Argentieri | homemade | n/a | | A handout made available through the Intranet | | | |
| Constitution of the Italian Republic (CIR) | n/a | Camera dei Deputati | n/a | | Online | | | |
| The Politics of Italy | James L. Newell | Cambridge University Press | 978-0-52160-046-0 | | | | | |
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| three papers discussing documentaries/fim screened in class | Two single-spaced pages each | 30% |
| midterm quiz | Questions related to historical background, Constitution, first republic and parties | 25% |
| final | short essays | 30% |
-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 has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
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.
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.
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.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
This class aims at 1) Presenting an overview of the origins of the Italian republic, including reading through its constitution 2) Describing how its political system reflected the Cold War confrontation; then from 1969 onwards became seriously challenged by multiple terrorist attacks and yet survived them 3) Explaining why and how it experienced dramatic changes at the beginning of the 1990's 4) Observing and analyzing today's main political competitors on the basis of their behavior, strategies, campaigning and the rest
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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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| Session | Session Focus | Reading Assignment | Other Assignment | Meeting Place/Exam Dates |
| January 16-18 | Orientation | | Field trip one (counting for two): Sunday January 22, 68th anniversary of the Allied landing in Anzio-Nettuno, 9:00 AM-12:00 noon | 9:00 am Termini station |
| Jan. 23-25 | The Risorgimento and Italian unification | Argentieri chronology (sent by intranet message) and Newell, 9-18 | Recommended attendance of evening event organized by the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs on the recently deceased Vaclav Havel, former president of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic. Aula Magna, Guarini campus, 5:30-8:30 pm (followed by a reception) | |
| Jan. 30-Feb. 1 | The Fascist regime and its legacy - screening of the movie "The Führer's voyage to Italy" | Newell 18-25 | Recommended attendance of Guarini Institute event, "Explorers of Excellence", Aula Magna, 7:00-9:00 pm | |
| Feb. 6-8 | The Establishment of the Republic and the Constitution, part one (documentary screened) | Newell, chapter 2 and the Constitution of the Italian Republic, (pdf text available at
http://en.camera.it/4?scheda_informazioni=23
| Thursday Feb. 9, 9:00-11:00 am, celebration of 1849 Roman Republic /
Friday Feb. 10, 10:00-12:00, visit to the Museum | Janiculum Hill |
| Feb. 13-15 | The Constitution, part two
(documentary screened) | Same as above | Friday February 17, 4:30-6:30 pm, attendance of the Giordano Bruno commemoration at Campo de' Fiori | Campo de' Fiori |
| Feb. 20-22 | The Constitution, part three | Same as above | Deadline for handing in writtern reports on films shown Jan. 30 through Feb. 8 (see instructions sent separately) | First two film reports hand-in deadline |
| Feb. 27-29 | The Cold War and the First Republic | Newell 25-46 and Argentieri's overview | | |
| March 5-7-9 | The end of the First Republic and its parties, the rise of Forza Italia and the Northern League | Same as above | Screening of film "Il Divo", by Paolo Sorrentino
http://www.luckyred.it/ildivo/sito_en/intro.html
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| March 12-14 | Review and midterm exam | all the above | "Il Divo" review paper due | March 14 third film report hand-in deadline and midterm exam |
| March 26-28 | Multi-level government
Policy-making and policy implementation | Newell chapters 3-4 | | |
| April 2-4 | Political culture and behavior /
Voluntary associations and pressure groups | Newell chapters 5-6 | | |
| April 11-16 | Elections, economic policy | Newell chapters 7-8 | | |
| April 18-23 | Welfare, rights, foreign policy | Newell 9-10 | | |
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