History of Spain and Latin America

A.Y. 2019/2020
6
Max ECTS
40
Overall hours
SSD
M-STO/02
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The path proposed in the two units aims to encourage students to acquire the ability to establish connections between different historical periods and themes and to critically examine documents of a distinct nature in different languages. We intend to contribute to the training of a conscious vision both of the historical roots of the contemporary globalized world and of its intrinsically multicultural trait, an essential skill for those who have decided to dedicate themselves to the professions related to the linguistic and cultural mediation.
Expected learning outcomes
Through the lectures, the discussion with the professor and the individual work done on the material examined during the course (sources, historiography, literary texts, iconography, films and documentaries) and /or the individual study of the program's bibliography, the students will:
· acquire a solid knowledge of the historical profile of Spain and Latin America from the end of the fifteenth century to the present day, identifying the fundamental junctions and the main aspects;
· comprehend, from an American, transatlantic and global perspective, the dynamics underlying the political-institutional, socio-cultural, economic and demographic phenomena that characterize the history of Spain and Latin America over the centuries;
· learn to critically examine, with a close look to the past-present relationship, different sources and documents concerning a wide-ranging phenomenon in the history of Spain and Latin America;
· learn to communicate the knowledge acquired on the topics dealt with in an oral and/or written form through papers presented and written individually;
· integrate the knowledge gained in the field of general History and the analysis of sources and interpretations, establishing links with the other disciplines covered by the course of study.
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

Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: Spain and Latin America from 1492 to the Third Millennium. A global perspective
Part A: Introduction to the history of Spain and Latin America
Part B: Spanish America and Latin America history on screen: past, present, cultural memory

The course aims to offer both an introduction to the history of Spain and Latin America in a global perspective (Part A) and an in-depth monographic analysis (Part B ). More particularly, Part B focuses on the analysis of a selection of international movies in order to improve knowledge of the history of Spain and Latin America, and to approach the theme of representations of the past in film industry and cultural memory.

The programme is valid until July 2021
Prerequisites for admission
Knowledge of the general outlines of modern and contemporary history is taken for granted
Teaching methods
Attendance to classes is strongly recommended although not compulsory. The teaching is delivered through frontal lectures aimed primarily at the acquisition of knowledge, competence and specific language of the subject. Discussion with the teacher in the classroom is integrant part of the didactic method and aims at promoting a critical attitude and the capacity to apply the acquired competence and knowledge.
In addition to frontal lectures, team works and/or individual presentations are envisaged.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:

Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures

Part A:
Knowledge of the selection of texts or one of the following volumes:
M. M. BENZONI, Americhe e modernità. Un itinerario fra storia e storiografia dal 1492 ad oggi, FrancoAngeli, Milano 2012 (prima sezione) e L. ZANATTA, Storia dell'America latina contemporanea, Laterza, Roma 20195
J. H. ELLIOTT, La Spagna imperiale 1469-1716, Il Mulino, Bologna 2006
G. HERMET, Storia della Spagna nel Novecento, Il Mulino, Bologna 1999
M. DE GIUSEPPE - G. LA BELLA, Storia dell'America latina contemporanea, Il Mulino, Bologna 2019

Part B:
Knowledge of the selection of movies and the following volume:
S. GRUZINSKI, Abbiamo ancora bisogno della storia? Il senso del passato nel mondo globalizzato, Raffaello Cortina editore, Milano 2016

Non-attending students:

Part A:
Knowledge of the selection of texts or one of the following volumes:
M. M. BENZONI, Americhe e modernità. Un itinerario fra storia e storiografia dal 1492 ad oggi, FrancoAngeli, Milano 2012 (prima sezione) e L. ZANATTA, Storia dell'America latina contemporanea, Laterza, Roma 20195
J. H. ELLIOTT, La Spagna imperiale 1469-1716, Il Mulino, Bologna 2006
G. HERMET, Storia della Spagna nel Novecento, Il Mulino, Bologna 1999
M. DE GIUSEPPE - G. LA BELLA, Storia dell'America latina contemporanea, Il Mulino, Bologna 2019

Part B:
Knowledge of the interview and one of the following volumes:
S. Gruzinski, Storia, memoria, immaginari nel mondo globalizzato, intervista a cura di Maria Matilde Benzoni, 2015: http://portalevideo.unimi.it/embedmedia?mid=478
G. Albanese, Dittature mediterranee. Sovversioni fasciste e colpi di Stato in Italia, Spagna e Portogallo, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2016
M. Donattini, Dal Nuovo Mondo all'America. Scoperte geografiche e colonialismo (secoli XV-XVI), Carocci editore, Roma 2017
T. Todorov, La conquista dell'America. Il problema dell'"altro", Einaudi, Torino (1982) 2014
L. Zanatta, I sogni imperiali di Perón. Ascesa e crollo della politica estera peronista, Libreriauniversitaria.it edizioni, Padova 2016

The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on Ariel.
https://mbenzonissal.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/home/Default.aspx
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Method: oral exam.
Type of examination: oral interrogation.
Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialised lexicon, efficacy, clarity, etc;
Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Teaching Unit 1
M-STO/02 - MODERN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Shifts:
Teaching Unit 2
M-STO/02 - MODERN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Shifts:
Professor(s)
Reception:
To make an appointment, please contact [email protected]. For information: https://ariel.unimi.it/
Room 5018, Unimi Campus, Piazza Montanelli 1 - 2099 Sesto San Giovanni (Mi)