Learning outcomes
The course aims at providing basic information on Italian history from 1815 onwards. Peculiar historical turning points will be analyzed in a wider contest including European and over-European events.
The course aims at - leading students to achieve, besides basic notions, the comprehension of general political and strategic international situations; - to recognize the origin of political choices in the past as well in present times; - to act with a sounder understanding in present-day world.
Following a chronological line, the course will examine the different social, political and economical sides of the analyzed period. The comparison with the situation of other countries will allow the students to place the Italian `case’ in a wider contest and to carry out comparisons and evaluations of the choices in international politics.
The monographic course will concern the history of Risorgimento, and particularly a rereading of the figure of Giuseppe Garibaldi, with the aim both of framing him and his actions in the events of that period and of clearing his image from any a posteriori mythicization.
Textbooks:
General part
The knowledge of general history is required from 1815 onwards through the study of a good high-school textbook (to be chosen by the student), provided it includes last century history up to 2000.
Monographic course
Luci Riall, Garibaldi. L’invenzione di un eroe, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2007.
For a different interpretation of the subject
E. Cecchinato, Camicie rosse. I garibaldini dall’unità alla Grande Guerra, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2007.
M. Isnenghi, Garibaldi fu ferito. Storia e mito di un rivoluzinario disciplinato, Donzelli, Roma, 2007.
May be interesting but the reading of these texts is not compulsory.
