Contemporary History
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course intends to foster the comprehension of the contemporary world through the study of its historical roots, from the end of 19th century to present times.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students should have acquired a solid knowledge of the major themes of contemporary history from the end of 19th century to present times.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
Italy and Germany: from post-war period to the 1990s.
The course aims to outline the main events in Italian and German history in the period from the end of the Second World War to the 1990s, within the broader framework of contemporary world history. In particular, for Italy, the events linked to the cultural and social transformations of the "boom", the explosion of student protest and the period of the "strategy of tension", up to the fall of the First Republic will be analysed; for Germany, the characteristics of political and social life in the GDR and FRG, from the division of the country to reunification, will be analysed.
The course aims to outline the main events in Italian and German history in the period from the end of the Second World War to the 1990s, within the broader framework of contemporary world history. In particular, for Italy, the events linked to the cultural and social transformations of the "boom", the explosion of student protest and the period of the "strategy of tension", up to the fall of the First Republic will be analysed; for Germany, the characteristics of political and social life in the GDR and FRG, from the division of the country to reunification, will be analysed.
Prerequisites for admission
The Students must have a good knowledge of the main events of contemporary history, from mid-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 concerning the Western world, starting from the second half of the XX Century, with particular attention to the history of Italy and Germany.
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,
Films:
-Ladri di biciclette (Vittorio De Sica, 1948)
-Rocco e i suoi fratelli (Luchino Visconti, 1960)
-Romanzo di una strage (Marco Tullio Giordana, 2012)
- Unit 2
- G. De Luna, La passione e la ragione. Il mestiere dello storico contemporaneo, Bruno Mondadori
Films:
- Germania, anno zero (Roberto Rossellini, 1948)
- Anni di piombo (Die bleierne Zeit, Margarethe von Trotta, 1981
- Le vite degli altri (Das Leben der Anderen, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, 2006)
- G. Sabbatucci - V. Vidotto, Il mondo contemporaneo, Bari, Laterza, 2019,
Films:
-Ladri di biciclette (Vittorio De Sica, 1948)
-Rocco e i suoi fratelli (Luchino Visconti, 1960)
-Romanzo di una strage (Marco Tullio Giordana, 2012)
- Unit 2
- G. De Luna, La passione e la ragione. Il mestiere dello storico contemporaneo, Bruno Mondadori
Films:
- Germania, anno zero (Roberto Rossellini, 1948)
- Anni di piombo (Die bleierne Zeit, Margarethe von Trotta, 1981
- Le vite degli altri (Das Leben der Anderen, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, 2006)
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam is an oral test aimed at assessing students' knowledge of the Contemporary history, from the last Nineteenth century to the present : the study of di Sabbatucci-Vidotto, Il mondo contemporaneo is essential, as well as knowledge of the films on the programme. In addition, the topics covered during the course (attending) or those of the materials provided on Ariel (non-attending) will be requested.
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. No office hours during the summer period. Next office hours on Mon. 8th Sept. 2025.
Sesto S. Giovanni, Room 5015 or Microsoft Teams