Upon completion of the course, students will demonstrate familiarity with the principal issues concerning Italian fascism. They will also be equipped to analyze the defining characteristics of this pivotal twenty-year period in Italian history, situating it within a broader global context and critically engaging with the oversimplifications that frequently emerge in public discourse.
The Contemporary History B course presupposes a foundational understanding of nineteenth- and twentieth-century Italian history as presented in standard textbooks.
Instruction will be delivered primarily through lectures, with an emphasis on fostering discussion and dialogue. Students are encouraged to propose topics for further study and debate during class sessions. The analysis and interpretation of significant historical documents will also be promoted.
The examination is conducted as an oral test, and the grade is assigned on a scale of thirty points.
This course examines key topics including the personal and political profile of Benito Mussolini at the beginning of the twentieth century, the emergence of fascism, Mussolini's ascent to power and the influence of liberal political leadership, the Matteotti murder and the subsequent shift toward totalitarianism, the defining characteristics of fascist ideology, the concept of the “new man,” the Lateran Pacts, the two distinct phases of fascist foreign policy, and the regime's implementation of racist policies.
Students must regularly consult the course e-learning area and download the specified materials.
The programme applies to both attending and non-attending students.
Erasmus students, as well as those with a Personalised Didactic Plan (PDP) or Individualised Educational Plan (PEI), should contact the lecturer at the start of the course.
The lecturer will communicate with students via email through the e-learning area. All students are required to register for this platform promptly.
