SELCS

Italy since 1915: the Short 20th Century


Course code: ITAL2107.
Course unit value: 0.5.

This course aims to provide an introduction to the history of Italy from 1915 to 1945. Through a series of detailed lectures and thematically structured seminars students are given an in-depth overview of the period comprising the rise and fall of Fascism. Lessons will combine introductory explanations of historiography and debates with more focused analysis of original documents, photographs, diaries and other materials. In preparation for seminars students will also be taught essential skills in historical methods and writing. This course links with the first year history course, ITAL1103 and also to history-based courses in the Year Abroad and final year.

Assessment: two assessed 2 500 word essays (50% each). Essay questions will be provided. 

Tutor: Dr Eleanor Chiari.

Preparatory reading and set texts: students are required to read all materials assigned for the seminars found in the Reading Pack or on Moodle and to come to seminars prepared to participate in class.

Recommended for purchase (one or more of the following):

  • S. Colarizi, Storia del Novecento italiano (Rizzoli, 2000).
  • J. Dunnage, Twentieth Century Italy: A Social History (Longman, 2002).
  • J. Foot, Modern Italy (Palgrave, 2003) for analysis/themes/questions.
  • A. Lyttelton (ed.), Liberal and Fascist Italy 1900-1945 (Oxford University Press, 2002) for debates/themes/questions.