History of North America
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with a background of the historical events that led to the creation, institutionalisation and social, political and cultural expansion of the United States of America. On the one hand, the course aims to reveal the rhetoric that has been used to justify the nation's imperial pathway in the name of security and the fight against terror; on the other hand, it will examine the plurality of ideas expressed by the American society throughout its history.
Teaching will place particular emphasis on issues of social and cultural history, including old and new migration, as well as issues concerning minorities, Native Americans, African Americans and Hispanics, to enable students to adeptly explain the different categories of class, gender and ethnicity, which are also relevant in a European context.
Teaching will place particular emphasis on issues of social and cultural history, including old and new migration, as well as issues concerning minorities, Native Americans, African Americans and Hispanics, to enable students to adeptly explain the different categories of class, gender and ethnicity, which are also relevant in a European context.
Expected learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students will have learned to critically understand the development of the contemporary geopolitical events involving the United States. The final aim is for students to navigate the complexities of American society, grasp its cultural, social and political interdependencies and be able to act as informed citizens in a rapidly changing world, formulating proposals to public institutions and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs).
Lesson period: First trimester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Course syllabus
The first part of the program addresses issues concerning the history and politics of the United States, including the welfare state, the development of modern conservatism, Congress and presidential powers, and national security. Following the study of American political history, as well the main interpretations that changed over time, these issues will help us for a better understanding of American politics today. The monographic part of the course offers the possibility of the revision of the book American Golem published in 2009. The object is to up-date the book considering the two terms presidency of Barack Obama, his successor Donald Trump, and finally Joe Biden. Thanks to the participation of the post-graduate students we will define the Golem represented by the United States: "the indispensable nation" or an empire which is losing its original principles. To carry on the course we will use movies, documentaries, web sites, and the resource American Historical Newspapers in our digital library.
Prerequisites for admission
To attend the course for the students of SIE is necessary to have the exam of Contemporary History done.
Teaching methods
Frontal lessons with the help of slides, PowerPoint, images, websites and video.
Teaching Resources
Giovanni Borgognone, Storia degli Stati Uniti: La democrazia americana dalla fondazione all'era globale, Feltrinelli, Milano, 2022.
Marco Sioli, American Golem. Il tempo e lo spazio degli Stati Uniti, Ibis, Como-Pavia, 2009.
Non attending students must add the book Marco Sioli, ed., War Hawks. Gli Stati Uniti e la guerra del 1812, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2019.
Marco Sioli, American Golem. Il tempo e lo spazio degli Stati Uniti, Ibis, Como-Pavia, 2009.
Non attending students must add the book Marco Sioli, ed., War Hawks. Gli Stati Uniti e la guerra del 1812, Franco Angeli, Milano, 2019.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists in an oral discussion. Questions point to evaluate in a clear way the general knowledge of the History of United States. and also addressing all the argument treated in the monographic part of the course. There will be also a written paper on a film presented during the lessons or a research on an article chosen by the students on the databank online American Historical Newspapers to be send directly to the mail of the professor. More in general the exam aimed to verify that the lessons drawn from American history can be useful to describe politics in contemporary United States, up to the double counsciousness of Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
Modulo
SPS/05 - AMERICAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Modulo
SPS/05 - AMERICAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Modulo
SPS/05 - AMERICAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
Wednesday from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm.
Milan, Via Passione 13, room 112.