Contemporary European History
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to foster the comprehension of contemporary Europe through the study of its historical roots from the last decades of the 19th century to the present.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should have acquired a robust knowledge of the major themes of contemporary European history, from the last decades of the 19th century to the present.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Italy in the Seventies: the strategy of tension
Unit 1 - Italy from the late Sixties to the massacre terrorism .
Unit 2 - From the Brigate Rosse to the Bologna massacre.
Unit 1 - Italy from the late Sixties to the massacre terrorism .
Unit 2 - From the Brigate Rosse to the Bologna massacre.
Prerequisites for admission
The students must have a good knowledge of the main events of contemporary European history, from late 1800s to the present times, which can be acquired through the study of Sabbatucci-Vidotto, Il mondo contemporaneo.
Teaching methods
During the lessons, the professor will outline the main events of Italian history in the extremely complex period of the so-called "strategy of tension" (about 1969-1980).
Through the vision of historical films, the course also aims to provide tools for the use of cinema as source for the study of history.
Through the vision of historical films, the course also aims to provide tools for the use of cinema as source for the study of history.
Teaching Resources
Unit 1:
- G. Sabbatucci - V. Vidotto, Il mondo contemporaneo, Bari, Laterza, 2019 (pay particular attention to European history)
Films:
- La meglio gioventù (Marco Tullio Giordana, 2003) - selected parts
- Romanzo di una strage (Marco Tullio Giordana, 2012)
- La macchinazione (David Grieco, 2016)
Unit 2:
A book to be chosen among:
- G. Corni, Storia della Germania, Milano, Il Saggiatore
- R. Brizzi, M. Marchi, Storia politica della Francia repubblicana (1871-2011, Mondadori
- G. Guazzaloca, Storia della Gran Bretagna (1832-2014), Firenze, Le Monnier
- E. Biagini, Storia dell'Irlanda dal 1845 a oggi, Bologna, il Mulino
- G. Hermet, Storia della Spagna nel Novecento, Bologna, il Mulino
- S. Colarizi, Storia del Novecento italiano, Milano, Rizzoli
- N. Werth, Storia della Russia nel Novecento. Dall'Impero russo alla Comunità degli Stati Indipendenti 1900-1999, Milano, Mimesis
Films:
- Il caso Moro (Giuseppe Ferrara, 1986)
- Un eroe borghese (Michele Placido, 1995)
Other materials will also be provided (on Ariel): they have to be prepared by non-attending students.
- G. Sabbatucci - V. Vidotto, Il mondo contemporaneo, Bari, Laterza, 2019 (pay particular attention to European history)
Films:
- La meglio gioventù (Marco Tullio Giordana, 2003) - selected parts
- Romanzo di una strage (Marco Tullio Giordana, 2012)
- La macchinazione (David Grieco, 2016)
Unit 2:
A book to be chosen among:
- G. Corni, Storia della Germania, Milano, Il Saggiatore
- R. Brizzi, M. Marchi, Storia politica della Francia repubblicana (1871-2011, Mondadori
- G. Guazzaloca, Storia della Gran Bretagna (1832-2014), Firenze, Le Monnier
- E. Biagini, Storia dell'Irlanda dal 1845 a oggi, Bologna, il Mulino
- G. Hermet, Storia della Spagna nel Novecento, Bologna, il Mulino
- S. Colarizi, Storia del Novecento italiano, Milano, Rizzoli
- N. Werth, Storia della Russia nel Novecento. Dall'Impero russo alla Comunità degli Stati Indipendenti 1900-1999, Milano, Mimesis
Films:
- Il caso Moro (Giuseppe Ferrara, 1986)
- Un eroe borghese (Michele Placido, 1995)
Other materials will also be provided (on Ariel): they have to be prepared by non-attending students.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is an oral test aimed at ascertaining the students' knowledge of European history from the late 1800s to the present times (the study of Sabbatucci-Vidotto, Il mondo contemporaneo) is essential) and the history of an European country chosen by the student (among Italy, germany, France and Spain), as well as on the topics covered during the course (attending students) or the materials provided on Ariel (non-attending students).
It will be evaluated also the students' ability to analyse and discuss the books and the films indicated in the program.
It will be evaluated also the students' ability to analyse and discuss the books and the films indicated in the program.
M-STO/04 - CONTEMPORARY HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Cassamagnaghi Silvia
Professor(s)
Reception:
On Monday, from 12.00 am to 15.00 - Room 5015 or on Teams. By appointment.
Sesto S. Giovanni, Room 5015 or Microsoft Teams