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.




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mMasterful

Teaching code

4S01118

Coordinator

Massimo Prearo

Credits

6

Language

Italian

Scientific Disciplinary Sector (SSD)

SPS/03 - HISTORY OF POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS

Period

2 A, 2 B

Learning objectives

Acquisition of particular skills and abilities in dealing with vocabulary and specific issues regarding the composition, functioning and role of modern political institutions (Eighteenth-Twentieth centuries).

Prerequisites and basic notions

No requirements.

Program

Course title: The political institution of the State, the democratic citizenship, and the postcolonial critique
How and when did the modern State come into being? What are the historical and institutional processes that characterize its emergence? How to understand the constitution of democracy in Europe? What does it mean to become a citizen of a democratic State? In what sense did colonialism contribute to the definition of the power of the State? What are the forms of colonial government? How does postcolonial critique enable us to reread the events of the State in Europe and understand the phenomena of contemporary racism? These are some of the questions that the course aims to explore.
The course will be divided into two parts.
The first part will study the emergence of the State in Europe as a political-institutional reality in the different forms it takes in modern and contemporary history, outlining fundamental characteristics and, above all, substantial differences. In particular, we will focus on the areas that outlined the features of the State and democratic institutions in the European context. The forms of colonial institutions will also be considered.
In the second part of the course, we will reflect, by contrast, on how colonialism contributed to the consolidation of the power of the State and political institutions in Europe. Finally, through a critical reading of democratic citizenship and the postcolonial condition, an attempt will be made to explore, from a political-institutional perspective, the processes of racialization, and thus the actuality of racism in Europe and Italy.
For any needs or request, the teacher receives by appointment upon request forwarded to massimo.prearo[at]univr.it
Please note that ho distinction is made between attending and non-attending students for this teaching. The program is therefore the same for all.
First part:
- Maurizio Fioravanti (a cura di), Lo Stato moderno in Europa. Istituzioni e diritto, Bari, Laterza,(qualsiasi edizione).
- Isabella Rosoni, Le istituzioni politiche coloniali, in M. Meriggi e L. Tedoldi, Storia delle istituzioni politiche. Dall’antico regime all’era globale, Roma, Carocci, 2014, pp. 149-168.
Second part:
- Achille Mbembe, Sul Commandement, in A. Mbembe, Postcolonialismo, Roma, Meltemi, 2005, pp. 33-79.
- Miguel Mellino, Deprovincializzare l’Italia. Note su colonialità, razza e razzismo in Europa e in Italia, in M. Mellino, Cittadinanze postcoloniali. Appartenenze, razza e razzismo in Europa e in Italia, Roma, Carocci, 2013, pp. 81-126.

Bibliography

Visualizza la bibliografia con Leganto, strumento che il Sistema Bibliotecario mette a disposizione per recuperare i testi in programma d'esame in modo semplice e innovativo.

Didactic methods

Each lecture and, in general, the course will be conducted by alternating moments of frontal lectures and moments of participatory lessons, exchange and discussion, also based upon the commentary of the texts to be studied for the final exam.
In order to facilitate access to lectures to students that for any reason cannot attend the course, lectures will be recorded and made available from the last lecture of the course, i.e., May 15, and will remain available until the last exam related to this year course.
Additional information, communications, tools or materials will be transmitted and made available on the course Moodle page. Subscription on the course Moodle page is therefore strongly recommended.

Learning assessment procedures

The study of the texts indicated in the syllabus is not an optional, but an essential step in preparing the exam.
The examination will consist of an oral test lasting 20-30 minutes. In the first 5 minutes students will be allowed to present a topic they can choose from the classroom discussions and/or the exam syllabus.

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

Evaluation criteria

The exam will allow to verify:
- Knowledge of the technical terms, concepts and notions of the discipline;
- The ability to argue scientifically by applying these terms, concepts and notions;
- Competence in developing autonomous analyzes and reflections.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

The final grade is expressed out of thirty. The eventual attribution of honors is foreseen in cases in which the student has demonstrated knowledge and skills that are more than excellent, impeccable and excellent during the exam.

Exam language

Italiano