Studying at the University of Verona

Here you can find information on the organisational aspects of the Programme, lecture timetables, learning activities and useful contact details for your time at the University, from enrolment to graduation.

This information is intended exclusively for students already enrolled in this course.
If you are a new student interested in enrolling, you can find information about the course of study on the course page:

Laurea in Lettere - Enrollment from 2025/2026

The Study Plan includes all modules, teaching and learning activities that each student will need to undertake during their time at the University.
Please select your Study Plan based on your enrollment year.

CURRICULUM TIPO:

2° Year   activated in the A.Y. 2021/2022

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
1 module to be chosen among the following
6
B
L-FIL-LET/05
6
B
L-FIL-LET/04
2 modules to be chosen among the following

3° Year   activated in the A.Y. 2022/2023

ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
12
B
L-FIL-LET/10
1 module to be chosen among the following
1 module to be chosen among the following
Final exam
6
E
-
activated in the A.Y. 2021/2022
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
1 module to be chosen among the following
6
B
L-FIL-LET/05
6
B
L-FIL-LET/04
2 modules to be chosen among the following
activated in the A.Y. 2022/2023
ModulesCreditsTAFSSD
12
B
L-FIL-LET/10
1 module to be chosen among the following
1 module to be chosen among the following
Final exam
6
E
-
Modules Credits TAF SSD
Between the years: 1°- 2°- 3°
Between the years: 1°- 2°- 3°
Other activities
3
F
-

Legend | Type of training activity (TTA)

TAF (Type of Educational Activity) All courses and activities are classified into different types of educational activities, indicated by a letter.




S Placements in companies, public or private institutions and professional associations

iIntroductory
padvanced
mMasterful

Teaching code

4S02147

Credits

6

Also offered in courses:

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

M-STO/04 - CONTEMPORARY HISTORY

Period

1 A, 1 B

To show the organization of the course that includes this module, follow this link:  Course organization

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

The course serves as a starting point for the approach to the study of contemporary history.
It focuses on the political, intellectual and social history of Europe between 1776 and 1900, which is addressed, starting from the Italian case, in a comparative and transnational perspective.
At the end of the course the student must be able to know: a) problems and methodologies of contemporary history, b) the main periodizations used by the historiography c) the most relevant events of the period considered, distinguishing between those relating to the general European framework and those relating to the different national contexts, d) the most important political cultures, economic processes and social transformations that mark the period indicated, e) the most important historiographic interpretations.

Program

Syllabus


The Nineteenth century and the birth of the modern world

Lessons topics

1. What is contemporary history? Periodizations, methods and sources.
2. The 18th century revolutions and the birth of the modern world.
3. The Napoleonic era.
4. The Restoration and the new European order.
5. New revolutionary cycles: 1820-1831.
6. 1848-49: an European revolution.
7. Bourgeois Europe and the world.
8. The Italian Risorgimento: premises and developments.
9. The process of Italian unification.
10. German unification.
11. The “first” globalization and the birth of colonial domains.
12. Characteristics and structures of liberal Italy (1861-1887).
13. The political transformations of Italian political system (1887-1900).
14. The United States new world power.
15. Italy during the Giolitti age.
16. Europe between the 19th and the 20th centuries.
17. Colonialism and imperialism.

Literature

1. A.M. Banti, L’età contemporanea. Dalle rivoluzioni settecentesche all’imperialismo, Laterza, 2009 (and subsequent editions).

2. One book among:

M. Isabella, Risorgimento in esilio. L’internazionale liberale e l’età delle rivoluzioni, Laterza, 2011.
A. Arisi Rota, Risorgimento. Un viaggio politico e sentimentale, Il Mulino, 2019.
F. Cammarano, Storia dell’Italia liberale, Laterza, 2011 (and subsequent editions).

M. Baioni, Vedere per credere. Il racconto museale dell’Italia unita, Viella, 2020.

Non-attending students must add the following text to the bibliography:

D. Beales-E. F. Biagini, Il Risorgimento e l’unificazione italiana, Il Mulino, 2005 ((and subsequent editions).

Teaching modes

The course includes the alternation between frontal lessons and audiovisual materials.




Examination Methods

Examination procedure

1. Assessment methods: structured written exam in open and closed questions.

2. Objectives: to verify the ability to disply concepts using appropriate historical terminoloy, the ability to link events and to place them adequately within the individual national contexts, the knowledge of the different historiographical interpretations of the most relevant historical processes.

3. Contents: the questions will focus on the topics covered during the course and developed in the volumes indicated in the bibliography.

4. Assessment methods: score expressed in thirtieths, resulting from the sum of the points assigned to each of the questions.

The regulation of the degree program requires compliance with the propaedeutics of the modules: it is therefore not possible to prepare the module P without having passed the module I.
Students are not advised to deal with the form I and the P form in the same appeal.

Other informations

The course is propaedeutic to the frequency of Contemporary History (P) which will take place in the second semester.

The required prerequisites are: basic knowledge of historical events between the mid-eighteenth century and early twentieth century.

Erasmus students (and students hosted with other international mobility programs) who attend classes, can choose between these different choises:

1. written exam (also in English).
2. oral exam (in English, French and Spanish)

They can also, agreed with the professor, use other books in the following languages: English, French, Spanish.

For more details: contact the teacher during weekly office hours.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD), who intend to request the adaptation of the exam, must follow the instructions given HERE