History of Europe and the Mediterranean in the Contemporary Age

The aim of the course is to provide students with the knowledge and interpretive tools to understand the history of the European continent in the contemporary era, without distinguishing between national histories and transnational dynamics. At the same time, the course aims to read European events in close synergy with the main geopolitical, economic, social and migratory developments that took place in the Mediterranean basin between the 19th and 20th centuries. The course will focus on the transition from the Ottoman system of coexistence to the colonial Mediterranean and the emergence of nationalisms on the southern and eastern shores of the basin. The process of European integration will be approached with particular attention to the limits of the concept of Europe and, more specifically, to relations with the southern and eastern shores of the Mediterranean.

Through this course students will acquire a critical knowledge of the political, social and demographic dynamics of 19th and 20th century Europe, analysed in interaction with the Mediterranean space. Participants will be introduced to the use of historical maps, primary sources and bibliographical tools (including online resources) necessary for the study of the political and socio-cultural history of contemporary Europe, the Mediterranean and the intertwining of European integration and Mediterranean developments. At the end of the course, students are expected to be able to critically read documents and scientific texts related to the historical period under examination and to elaborate autonomous reflections on the main historical and historiographical issues addressed.
Non-attending students will be able to make use of the didactic tools made available on MyAriel and reinforce their knowledge on specific topics through special readings agreed with the lecturer, according to their needs and interests.