History of North America
A.Y. 2020/2021
Learning objectives
The general part of the program addresses issues that aimed to give the students basic knowledge of the history of the United States, including the creation, the institutionalization, and the political, social and cultural expansion of the Republic. The course tries to understand from one side the rhetoric that justify the imperial path of a Nation in the name of internal security, and terrorist struggle. On the other side, the course will consider the plurality of ideas expressed by the American society in the course of its history.
The monographic part of the course change every year and touches particular arguments in the history of North America emerged as strong issues in the historical debate on the other side of Atlantic ocean. Some of these arguments of the past year are: urban development and the rise of industry, environmentalism and the protection of nature, expansionism and manifest destiny in the age of Thomas Jefferson, slavery and abolitionism, the presidency of Ronald Reagan and the neocon, muckraking and new medias.
The monographic part of the course change every year and touches particular arguments in the history of North America emerged as strong issues in the historical debate on the other side of Atlantic ocean. Some of these arguments of the past year are: urban development and the rise of industry, environmentalism and the protection of nature, expansionism and manifest destiny in the age of Thomas Jefferson, slavery and abolitionism, the presidency of Ronald Reagan and the neocon, muckraking and new medias.
Expected learning outcomes
The course aims to give the ability to read advanced textbooks, and to apply these reading to professional works in a way to argue in a discussion with colleagues and to solve problems in the field, writing report and useful judgments, as well as the ability to communicate these skills to a broad public. Finally, we will try to obtain learning skills to continue the studies toward future steps.
Lesson period: First trimester (In case of multiple editions, please check the period, as it may vary)
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First trimester
Lessons run on Microsoft Teams an a syncronic way following the hours of the first quater.
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 politcal history, as well the main interpretations that chaged over time, these issues will help us for a better understanding of American politics today.
The monographic part of the course reflects on Alexander Hamilton's text "Report on American Manufactures". Secretery of treaury of George Washington's presidency, Hamilton reflects on the importance of manifacture for the national security of the United States for obtaining an economic egemony. About the origins of this egemony as well as the starting of Anerican capitalism and global commerce in the first part off Nineteeth century we shall have an exhibit in our space entitled "The age of the sailing ships. Clipper and schooner from James Fenimore Cooper to Herman Melville".
The third part of the course reflects on the trasformation of American journalism from Benjamin Franklin's newspaper to the political use of the press in the age of penny press and muckrakingsi. In particular we will reflect on the figuer of Abraham Lincoln as great communicator. To carry on this part we will use movies, documentaries, and websites.
The monographic part of the course reflects on Alexander Hamilton's text "Report on American Manufactures". Secretery of treaury of George Washington's presidency, Hamilton reflects on the importance of manifacture for the national security of the United States for obtaining an economic egemony. About the origins of this egemony as well as the starting of Anerican capitalism and global commerce in the first part off Nineteeth century we shall have an exhibit in our space entitled "The age of the sailing ships. Clipper and schooner from James Fenimore Cooper to Herman Melville".
The third part of the course reflects on the trasformation of American journalism from Benjamin Franklin's newspaper to the political use of the press in the age of penny press and muckrakingsi. In particular we will reflect on the figuer of Abraham Lincoln as great communicator. To carry on this part we will use movies, documentaries, and websites.
Prerequisites for admission
To attend the course is necessary to have the exam of Contemporary History done.
Teaching methods
Remote 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, 2016;
Marco Sioli, a cura di, War Hawks, Gli Stati Uniti e la guerra del 1812, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2019;
Marcus Rediker, Il piantagrane. Storia di Benjamin Lay, Eleuthera, Milano, 2019.
Marcus Rediker, Il piantagrane. La storia di Benjamin Lay, Eleuthera, Milano, 20192019.o, Ibis, Como-Pavia, 2016.
Marco Sioli, a cura di, War Hawks, Gli Stati Uniti e la guerra del 1812, FrancoAngeli, Milano, 2019;
Marcus Rediker, Il piantagrane. Storia di Benjamin Lay, Eleuthera, Milano, 2019.
Marcus Rediker, Il piantagrane. La storia di Benjamin Lay, Eleuthera, Milano, 20192019.o, Ibis, Como-Pavia, 2016.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists in oral discussion on Teams. 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 impeachment of Donald Trump.
Unita' didattica 1
SPS/05 - AMERICAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica 2
SPS/05 - AMERICAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica 3
SPS/05 - AMERICAN HISTORY AND INSTITUTIONS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)