Contemporary History of Europe: East and West

The course offers a picture of Central and Eastern Europe, with particular regard to the Slavic countries, providing the essential geographical, cartographical, historical and historiographical elements to place the processes of social, economic and political development inherent in that area within a transcultural and transnational perspective from the early-modern to the modern age.

By the end of the course the student will have acquired knowledge of the main events of the history of Central and Eastern Europe and the Slavic countries between the 19th and 20th centuries (with debts referring to periods immediately before or after and to the general history of Europe) and of the main historiographical interpretations of which they were subjected. They will have an account of the political-institutional, socio-economic and cultural performance of the area considered, being able to place the most representative events and figures in their chronological and geographical contexts. The student will be able to use language tools (language properties, correct specific lexicon) to express, in a clear and effective form, concepts of a political, institutional, economic, and religious nature; they will be able to read critically historiographical works and use the main tools, including digital tools, for the research and analysis of sources. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. The discussion around the proposed sources will be an essential moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Participation in meetings and seminars organized within the Department of Historical Studies will also be of great importance. Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.