HISTORY OF THE ITALIAN DIASPORAS

As part of the core curriculum of the Master’s Degree Program in History, this course contributes to the educational process by analyzing Italian diasporas within the context of the formation of nation-states and contemporary society. Indeed, the course examines the history of Italian diasporas from the nineteenth century to the present day from a transnational and comparative perspective, treating them as a global phenomenon. Through the analysis of relevant historiography and primary sources, the course examines Italian migration processes, their geographical and social dimensions, the role of the state and diaspora networks, as well as the dynamics of identity construction in transnational contexts. The course objectives include providing advanced and critical knowledge of Italian migration processes from the 19th to the 21st century, developing the ability to situate the Italian diaspora within the framework of global history and international migration, and promoting a critical and comparative use of the relevant historiography. Furthermore, issues of ethnic and gender identity are key topics of in-depth study in the course.

1. Knowledge and Understanding
The course provides tools for an advanced understanding of the Italian migration phenomenon from a historical perspective: to understand the main phases of Italian emigration and the differences among destination areas, and to situate the Italian diaspora within the context of global migration and nation-building processes; to critically analyze contemporary historiographical interpretations; and to gain a deep understanding of the concepts of diaspora, transnationalism, and identity.

2. Applying knowledge and understanding:
By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge that can be applied in accordance with the competencies listed below:
- ability to apply the interpretive categories of the reference texts to specific case studies;
- ability to relate local, national, and global scales in the analysis of migratory phenomena;
- ability to interpret primary sources (emigrants’ letters, migration statistics, institutional sources) in light of the interpretive models studied;
- ability to apply acquired historical knowledge to the comparative analysis of Italian diasporic experiences and between these and other diasporas.

3. Making judgements
- the ability to apply acquired knowledge in comparing different historiographical models, in independently identifying research questions consistent with the scholarly debate, and in assessing the limitations, implications, and potential of the sources used, while being aware of the political and cultural dimensions of the construction of the Italian diaspora.

4. Communication skills:
Be able to
- articulate, based on complex analyses grounded in multiple historiographical texts, both orally and in writing, the fundamental issues of the course;
- adapt one’s communication style to seminar and research contexts;
- structure written papers according to academic standards;
To achieve this objective, the course also includes group presentations, written exercises, and critical presentations (voluntary).

5. Learning skills:
Be able to independently use the core bibliography to develop further research paths, identify and utilize new sources and tools, and integrate different theoretical and disciplinary perspectives.

Basic knowledge of modern and contemporary history.

1. The Evolution of Historiography on Italian Migration: Diasporas and Transnationalism
2. Pre-Unification Mobility
3. Mass Migration (1870–1914)
4. Italians in the Americas
5. Between the Two World Wars: colonialism and migration
6. Post-World War II: in Europe, but not only
7. Cross-cutting themes: diasporic identity, gender, and memory

Gabaccia, Donna R. Italy’s Many Diasporas. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2000.

For non-attending students, depending on their geographical interest, one reading of their choice from those listed below:
William Connell, Stanislao Pugliese. The Routledge History of Italian Americans. New York, Routledge, 2017. (Part 2, Part 3 o Part 4 - one of their choice)
Emanuele Ertola, In terra d'Africa: Gli italiani che colonizzarono l'impero, Laterza, 2017. (chap. 1 to chap. 5) and Marisa Fois, Migrazioni italiane nell’Europa al di fuori dell’Europa, in Toni Ricciardi, Storia dell'emigrazione italiana in Europa. Dalla Rivoluzione francese a Marcinelle (1789-1956), Donzelli, 2022. (pp. 131-157)
Emilio Franzina, Gli italiani al Nuovo Mondo: l'emigrazione italiana in America, 1492-1942, Mondadori, 1995. (Part 1, Part 2 o Part 3 - one of their choice)
Francesco Ricatti. Italians in Australia: History, Memory, Identity. Cham, Palgrave Macmillan, 2018.
Toni Ricciardi, Storia dell'emigrazione italiana in Europa. Dalla Rivoluzione francese a Marcinelle (1789-1956), Donzelli, 2022. (Chap 1 to Chap 4)
Chiara Vangelista. Dal vecchio al nuovo continente: l'immigrazione in America Latina. Torino, Paravia Scriptorium, 1997.

For all students:
Written exam, lasting a maximum of 2 hours (50% of the final grade), and oral exam, lasting approximately 30 minutes (50% of the final grade): students must demonstrate the ability to critically analyze issues involving the various periods and contexts of Italian diasporas, the transnational construction of migrant identity, and the historiographical debate on the subject. Students must pass the written exam to be eligible for the oral exam.

Attending students may choose, IF THEY PREFER, an ALTERNATIVE assessment process throughout the entire semester:
1. participation in seminars that are part of the course curriculum, as well as other proposed educational activities (20%);
2. a 90-minute written exam (30%): the student must demonstrate the ability to critically analyze issues involving the various periods and contexts of Italian diasporas, the transnational construction of migrant identity, and the historiographical debate on the subject;
3. oral group presentation on an in-depth topic agreed upon with the professor: students must demonstrate the ability to analyze the various aspects of Italian diasporas discussed in lectures and in the required readings in an applied manner (20%);
4. submission of a short paper (approximately 2,500 words), agreed upon with the instructor during the semester, that applies the material discussed in class to the analysis of various types of sources in case studies (30%) (Due one week before the exam).

written and oral

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.

The final grade will be determined based on the following criteria:
- Knowledge of theoretical concepts (40%)
- Ability to critically analyze theoretical concepts (20%)
- Clarity and confidence in presentation (10%)
- Mastery of specialized terminology and appropriate use of language (15%)
- Ability to discuss topics independently and in a well-structured manner (15%)
The maximum possible score is 30/30. Honors may be awarded for excellent performance in all of the above categories.

Lectures, seminars, workshops on reading texts and documents, a guided viewing of a film related to the topics covered in the course, and oral presentation.

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