HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY SOCIETIES

Academic year
2026/2027 Syllabus of previous years
Official course title
STORIA DELLE SOCIETA' CONTEMPORANEE
Course code
LT8040 (AF:730011 AR:433623)
Teaching language
Italian
Modality
On campus classes
ECTS credits
6
Degree level
Bachelor's Degree Programme
Academic Discipline
HIST-03/A
Period
1st Semester
Course year
2
Where
VENEZIA
The course aims to give the students a knowledge of the main transformations that concerned contemporary societies in connection with the changing role of the State in the social and economic processes in Europe and worldwide from 1789 to our days.
- Knowledge of the main social transformations during contemporary history and capacity to critically connect them with more general historical transitions;
- Transfer of this historical knowledge to the understanding of the present-day world;
- Ability to autonomously and critically analyse scientific literature and historical sources.
General knowledge of the main political events and economic processes during contemporary history.
The course introduces the students to a general interpretation of the relationship between society and the State against the backdrop of historical processes such as industrialisation and deindustrialisation, the rise of the nation-states and globalisation, colonialism and decolonisation, war and the processes of regional integration, State planning and Neoliberalism.
Even if the course has a global history approach, emphasis is put on European societies, including aspects like nationalism, imperialism, world wars, the welfare state, and the European integration process.
Fulvio Cammarano, Giulia Guazzaloca, Maria Serena Piretti, Storia contemporanea. Dal XIX al XXI secolo, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2026.
Andrea Rapini, Lo Stato sociale. Genesi e sviluppo, Bologna, Archetipolibri, 2010.
Written exam (90 minutes) on the topics covered by textbooks, including the materials uploaded on moodle.
written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

18-21: Sufficient knowledge of the contents. Sufficient analytical and expository skills.
22-25: Fair/good knowledge of the contents. Good analytical and expository skills.
26-28: In-depth knowledge of the contents. Solid analytical and expository skills.
29-30: In-depth and detailed knowledge of the contents. Excellent analytical and expository skills.
30 cum laude: In-depth, detailed and transversal knowledge of the contents. Analytical and expository skills above average.
Lectures and in-class discussions based on historical sources and/or multimedia documents.
Definitive programme.
Last update of the programme: 06/07/2026