The course is an introduction to modern Italian politics, society and culture in a historical and comparative perspective. Students are provided with a basic knowledge of the main events and issues related to the period 1796-2003, from Napoleon to Berlusconi, i.e. from the process of Nation-Building to the Present. Participants have the opportunity to develop themes of their interest, defined in agreement with the Professor, through an oral presentation and a written paper, which will be discussed with the rest of the class.

Topics may include: geographic diversity and historical processes (mountains, countryside and cities – ideas of “Nature” in Italy – cities as organizing principles of Italian life – the North/South divide); the Catholic Church and education of sentiments (the relationship between mother and son – Protestant versus Catholic Societies – the Catholic Church and the late formation of a Modern State in Italy); the Risorgimento (Italy as the \"Land of Art and Beauty\" – the idea of \"Italy\" throughout the Centuries – the role of Literature in the process of Unification); building the Nation-State, 1860-1914 (Parliamentary Monarchy – Liberals, Socialists and Catholics – State and Church relations – the debate on the creation of a national language); The Southern Question, emigration and industrial take-off, 1860-1914 (the \"Civil War\" in the South - the origins of the Mafia - Italy as a second comer: economy and ideology); First World War, the origins and development of Fascism, 1914-1929 (interventionism and neutralism – D’Annunzio and Fiume – how does a dictatorship rise to power?); Structures and Policies of the \"Totalitarian State\", 1929-1940 (Italy compared to Germany and Spain – Cultural policies of the Regime – the role of women under Fascism); Second World War, 1940-1945 (Italo-German Relations – Italian Racialism and anti-Semitism – the Resistance – the War in Italian Literature and Collective Memory); the Italian Republic and the Cold War, 1945-1994 (Communists and Christian Democrats – 1968 and after – Political Terrorism - Craxi); the Great Transformation, since 1958 (Economic Miracle – Industrial Districts – changes in society and the physical landscape); Recent trends, since 1994 (further changes in economy and society – Politicians on trial - European Union - debate on Constitutional Reform – Northern Secessionism - Berlusconi).

The course will be structured in twenty-four sessions of 1.5 hours, consisting of interactive lectures and discussions, plus a final session during Exam Week. Use of audio-visual material will be made: slides, transparencies and songs. Movies shown every week, in the evening, - selected by Prof. Pes - will contribute to the understanding of Italian culture and history.

Students are expected to read the proposed texts and write a comment on them through e-mail before class, make an oral presentation based on at least two articles, take part in class discussions and submit a final written paper of no less than ten pages with notes and bibliographical references. The students themselves, in consultation with the Professor, will choose the topics of the papers. After Half Term, the Professor will assist students in writing the final research paper, doing periodic individual revisions.