HISTORY OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

The course provides students with basic-level knowledge in the History of International Relations, with emphasis on the events, actors, processes, concepts and methods of inquiry relating to the second half of the 20th century. Insofar as it conveys a body of knowledge, it contributes to the acquisition of mastery of the major themes in the history of international relations, with particular emphasis on the ways in which the United States and the Soviet Union interacted, the respective relations of the United States and the Soviet Union with Western Europe, Japan and the "Third World," and the processes of decolonization and "globalization" in the second half of the 20th century. By putting an emphasis on the historical method of inquiry, the course provides students with the capacity to autonomously analyze events and processes in the international realm, and to develop original and well-founded interpretations about them, beyond the specific object of the course itself. With its attention to the definition of the concepts under consideration, the course provides students with the possibility to become confident with their communication skills in reference to the history of international relations. In general, it contributes to fullfil LCSL's requirements in History.

At the end of the course, students should have acquired:
a) a confident knowledge of the main events, actors, and processes pertaining to the history of international relations, with an emphasis on the second half of the 20th century;
b) a basic knowledge of the main methods of historical investigation;
c) the ability to communicate their knowledge with clarity and precision
d) the ability to make critical judgements on the subject matter of the program;
e) the ability to develop futher their competence in the field of international history in an autonomous way.

Basic knowledge of modern and contemporary history as from High School programs. It is useful, though not necessary to have taken at least another BA-level course in contemporary history. A deep interest for the subject and a serious approach to the lessons and the reading materials are not formal requirements, but usually help.

The course covers the history of international relations in the 20th and 21st centuries at a basic level, with a specific focus on U.S.-Soviet relations between 1941 and 1991. Specific attention will be given throughout the lectures to providing instructions on how to approach the textbook e della monografia proposta. A detailed syllabus will be explained in class and uploaded on moodle at the beginning of the course.

RECOMMENDED READINGS:
1) G. Formigoni, History of International Politics in the Contemporary Age, il Mulino, 2018, ch. 4-7 (may be substituted by comparable text after discussion with the lecturer);
2) F. Romero, Storia della Guerra Fredda, Einaudi, 2009
3) the materials uploaded by the lecturer on moodle (slides and multimedia materials)

NB: Slides and multimedia materials uploaded on Moodle are an integral part of the program. Ignoring their contents is equivalent to not having studied a part of the program. Those who wish may substitute the study of certain parts of F. Romero's text with the study of their own lecture notes related to the same facts (the list of substitutable pages will be made available at the beginning of the semester on Moodle in a detailed syllabus including a schedule of the topics covered in each lecture).

The learning assessment occurs through a final oral test of approximately 20 minutes, which will test the acquisition of knowledge and skills associated with the course through two main questions. In particular, the two questions will aim to:
- Check the acquisition of the notions related to the Formigoni textbook (events, actors, processes).
- Check the acquisition of notions, the grasp of theoretical concepts and the knowledge of the different interpretations of US-Soviet relations, as well as the ability to communicate them clearly and accurately.
Each question contributes half to the determination of the final grade.

As an alternative to the above, you can replace the Formigoni textbook question at the oral exam by taking a series of multiple-choice and short open-ended tests via Moodle during class time (on dates to be announced at the beginning of the semester). All students may take part in the tests. Three tests will be held in the semester. Subject to passing a simple follow-up question in the oral examination, the average of the marks obtained in the best two tests will count for half of the final grade. At least two tests must be taken. It is understood that you can always take the 'long' oral test, as indicated above.

oral

The grade 30/30 corresponds to the combination of:
- a secure grasp of the notions related to the program (partially verified, in case, through the quizzes);
- a secure grasp of the theoretical concepts and interpretations relating to US-Soviet relations;
- the full ability to communicate one's knowledge with clarity and precision;
- the full ability to develop critical judgments on the topics of the program;
- the full ability to evaluate the soundness of various primary and secondary sources presented in the program.

A mark of less than 18/30 ('failed') corresponds to a combination of:
- insufficient knowledge of the notions;
- insufficient command of theoretical concepts and the historiographical debate on US-Soviet relations;
- insufficient precision and clarity of exposition;
- insufficient critical processing of acquired information;
- insufficient ability to assess the soundness of the primary and secondary sources presented in the program.

Intermediate marks (between 18 and 29) correspond to various possibile combinations of the interplay of the factors listed above.

The grade 30 cum laude corresponds to 30, plus an outstanding display of critical capacities.

Lectures and individual study of the recommended readings and material uploaded on moodle by the lecturer. Lectures are mainly face-to-face lectures, with use of slides and multimedia materials. In each lecture, adequate space will be devoted to class discussion of the topics covered, with active participation of the class. Although the course does not require mandatory attendance, attendance is strongly encouraged. A dedicated forum and specific materials, as well as specific assessment activities, will be made available on Moodle for students with enrollment code "701".

The teacher is easily available for questions concerning the course at his office hours and by email at duccio.basosi@unive.it. Emails have to be written in a formal style and should not ask questions whose answer can be found in the information contained in this syllabus. The teacher will not reply to message which do not conform to the rules above.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "International cooperation" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development