CONTEMPORARY HISTORY I

Course objectives

Given for granted the acquisition of the general objectives of the three-year degree course in Philosophy, the course intends to attain the following specific objectives. Knowledge and ability to understand (Dublin descriptor A): knowledge of processes, concepts and key terms in historical perspective; knowledge of the events that have marked the history of the 20th century, in-depth study of the problematic issues that have questioned historiography, with a focus on the long-term nature of the issues addressed. Application skills (descriptor B): ability to critically interpret the proposed topics, also with reference to the historical, social and political contexts in which they were developed. Autonomy of judgment (descriptor C): ability to reconstruct a historical context; ability to argue the topic under study (also through the stimulus to participate actively). Communication skills (descriptor D): ability to use a technical vocabulary; ability to argue the topics covered. Learning skills (descriptor E): ability to delve into historical questions and problems, even in a personal way (by learning a method, searching for a reference bibliography, etc.).

Channel 1
MARIA CHIARA GIORGI Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program
The 20th Century in Europe, Fascisms and Wars The course aims to provide an understanding of the events and issues shaping the 20th century, focusing on key moments in European history and reviewing the main historical interpretations. The course will also focus on the period encompassing the two world wars, addressing the theme of fascism as a European phenomenon, and examining in particular the origins, consolidation and fall of fascism in Italy. The analysis of the period as “European civil war” (1914-1945) will also be addressed. The lines of continuity and rupture in European history that marked the first and second post-war periods will be reconstructed in a long-term perspective and within the framework of the world system.
Prerequisites
basic knowledge of contemporary history, with competences at the secondary school level of historical concepts, methods and events.
Books
T. Detti-G. Gozzini, Storia contemporanea. Il Novecento, Bruno Mondadori, Milano, 2002 (o edizioni successive) E. Traverso, A ferro e fuoco. La guerra civile europea 1914-1945, Il Mulino, Bologna, 2007 E. Gentile, Fascismo. Storia e interpretazione, Laterza, Bari-Roma, 2005 (o edizioni successive) P. Corner, La dittatura fascista. Consenso e controllo durante il Ventennio, Carocci, Roma, 2018 M. Mazower, Le ombre dell'Europa. Democrazie e totalitarismi nel XX secolo, Garzanti, Milano, 2019 (o edizioni precedenti), capitoli 1-7 compresi, pp. 1-249.
Frequency
attending the course is highly recommended
Exam mode
The evaluation consists of an oral exam. In particular, the following aspects will be assessed (also during the course): in-depth knowledge of the texts covered by the course and the ability to analyze specific contents (points 1-15); the ability to critically argue the topics studied (points 1-10); the ownership of language and the use of an appropriate lexicon (points 1-5).
Bibliography
see the texts to be studied
Lesson mode
Frontal lessons and seminar discussions of the texts and the issues treated in the course
  • Lesson code1022728
  • Academic year2025/2026
  • CoursePhilosophy
  • CurriculumSingle curriculum
  • Year1st year
  • Semester2nd semester
  • SSDM-STO/04
  • CFU12