History of Modern Italy

LA HS MI 335
Credit hours: 3
Contact hours: 45

This course traces the history of Italy from 1815 to the present day. This span of time sees Italy transformed from a divided and largely agragrian land into one of the leading nations of Europe and a centre of excellence for design, food, wine, fashion, film and the visual arts. Key themes include: the Risorgimento, the rise of Fascism, Italy's ambivalent roles in the two Worlds Wars; the post-war 'economic miracle', Red Brigades terrorism, Mafia, the Vatican, political scandals, the 'Clean Hands' movement, secularization, Italy's role in the European Union. The lectures will be augmented by the viewing of pertinent films such as: Roma Città Aperta; Il Postino; Cinema Paradiso; La Vita è Bella.