Modern Italy (343-0-20)

Instructors

Edward Muir
847/491-3653
Harris Hall - Room 244

Meeting Info

Harris Hall L06: Mon, Wed 9:30AM - 10:50AM

Overview of class

An examination of the history of Italy from the Unification to the present. Principal topics will include the movement for national unification, the tenacious economic backwardness of the South, the history of the Sicilian Mafia and similar criminal organizations in Naples and Calabria, the dictatorship of Mussolini and Fascism, Italian participation in World War II and the Allied invasion of the peninsula, the role of the Roman Catholic Church in society, the economic miracles of the 1960s and 1980s, the Red Brigades and terrorism, the struggle for women's rights, and the "bloodless" political revolution of 1992-93. The course concentrates on political and social history but includes several novels in the readings.

Learning Objectives

Learn the history of Italy and how to make convincing arguments based on primary source readings

Evaluation Method

Weekly journal entries examining questions about the readings and lectures. Attendance to discussions is mandatory and contributions will be evaluated.

Class Materials (Required)

Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, The Leopard (novel), ISBN: 978-0375714795 and Kindle
Carlo Levi, Christ Stopped at Eboli (memoire), ISBN: 978-1250623089, NOT available on Kindle
Ignazio Silone, Bread and Wine (novel), ISBN: 978-0451529787, NOT available on Kindle
Iris Origo, War in Val D'Orcia: An Italian War Diary, 1943-1944 (diary), ISBN: 978-0879234768 and Kindle
Roberto Saviano, Gamorrah: A Personal Journey into the Violent International Empires of Naples' Organized Crime System (journalism), ISBN: 978-1250145031 and on Kindle

Class Notes

History Major Concentration(s): European
History Minor Concentration(s): Europe

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Registration is restricted to History Majors and Minors only until the end of pre-registration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites (if any)