27808		10:10-11:00	MWF			IPSEN
Above section carries culture studies credit
A portion of the above section reserved for majors
Above section open to undergraduates only

This course will examine the political, social, cultural, and
economic history of Italy over the past two hundred years.  We shall
cover the Risorgimento and Italian unification; Liberal Italy and
the “mutilated victory” in World War I; Italian opera and other
important cultural movements in the Liberal, Fascist, and Republican
periods; the Fascist seizure of power and regime; alliance with Nazi
Germany, defeat, and resistance in World War II; the decades-long
postwar contest between Christian Democrats and Communists; the
economic miracle of the 1950’s and 60’s; Mafia, left wing, and right
wing violence and terrorism; and recent political developments
including the kickbacks scandal and creation of the so-called Second
Republic.

The following books are required for the course; they have been
ordered at the bookstore and also will be on 3-hour open reserve at
the library:

-Spencer di Scala, Ital from Revolution to Republic.  Boulder,
Westview Press, 1995.
-Tomasi di Lampedusa, Giuseppe, The Leopard New York, Pantheon Books,
1987[1958]
-Silone, Ignazio, Fontamara.  NAL/Dutton, 1981[1930]
Showings will be arranged of the following films:
De Sica, Umberto D (or Visconti, Rocco and his Brother).
Lucchetta, Portaborse (or Amelio, Ladri di bambini)

Students are expected to attend lectures, take part in discussions
(conducted as a part of regular lecture hours), do the required
readings, and see the required films.  Assignments will include a
short geography quiz, quizzes on the novels and films, a midterm
exam, two short papers, and a final exam.

Lecture Topics:
Bel paese: the geography of Italy
Topography; the development of Italian cities; Italian demography;
and present-day political divisions.

Italy in the 18th c.; Italy under Napoleon; and the Congress of Vienna

The Risorgimento

Secret societies, revolution and the Roman Republic; constitution
reforms.

Unification
War against Austria; Garibaldi’s thousand; the additions of Venetia
and Rome

Viva Verdi
Italian opera from Rossini to Puccini

Liberal Italy before Auda: least of the great powers

Liberal Italy after Auda: Giolittian reform 7
Between “verismo” and the decadence: intellectual culture in Liberal
Italy

The proletariat nation: Italian emigration in the 19th century

World War I, the mutilated victory

Post-war chaos, socialism, Catholic activism, and the rise of Fascism

The Fascist seizure of power and the creation of Mussolini’s
dictatorship

The mature dictatorship: Social and economic policies; war in
Ethiopia;

Strapaese vs. stracitto:  Intellectual culture in Fascist Italy

World War II
The Pact of Steel; intervention; defeats; the fall of Fascism; the
Republic of Salz and Civil War

Anti-fascist resistance and the founding of the Italian Republic
White and Red resistance; liberation; referendum on the monarchy; a
republic founded on work.

From ideology to consociativismo: Christian Democrats and communists
in the post-war period.

Neorealism and post-war Italian culture

The Economic Miracle
Economic super growth; rural exodus; south to north migration, la
dolce vita.
1968: Student and worker movements
The Years of the Bullet (Anni dipiombo), right and left wing terror
The Red Brigades; Neo-Fascist bombs; kneecappings, kidnappings;
assassinations; coup attempts.

Southern Italy and the Mafia
The continuing divide between North and South; the Mafia from local
extortion to national politics to international drugs, arms and
banking.
The 1980’s: New prosperity and consumerism
Economic growth; Socialist government; the changing role of the
family; Catholic resurgence?  Scandal and reform?  Tangentopoli, Mani
pulite and the birth of the “Second Republic”.