HS2INT-Intellectuals and Society in Twentieth Century Italy

Module Provider: History
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded: IT2INT 'Apocalittici e integrati': Intellectuals and Society in Twentieth Century Italy
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Prof Daniela La Penna
Email: d.lapenna@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

The aim of the module is to provide a clear historical overview of the main conflicts between the intellectual class and the state in twentieth-century Italy, focussing specifically on the Fascist period and the Republican years. Through carefully selected case studies, the students will learn about the always dynamic and sometimes openly conflictual relationship between some key Italian intellectuals and institutions such as the State, the Universities and the media. At the end of the module, the students will be able to give cogent, structured, and informed answers to the following questions: what is an intellectual? Who may become a public intellectual and how does one acquire that status? What are intellectuals' responsibilities towards society?

Aims:

The aim of the module is to provide a clear historical overview of the main conflicts between the intellectual class and the state in twentieth-century Italy, focussing specifically on the Fascist period and the Republican years. Through carefully selected case studies, the students will learn about the always dynamic and sometimes openly conflictual relationship between some key Italian intellectuals and institutions such as the State, the Universities, and the media, and criminal organizations such as the Mafia. At the end of the module, the students will be able to give cogent, structured, and informed answers to the following questions: what is an intellectual? Who may become a public intellectual and how does one acquire that status? How do definitions of the public intellectual differ between national fields? What are intellectuals’ responsibilities towards society?

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module students are expected to have acquired: 

 

Skills in analysing documents of different kinds, such as letters, diaries, newspaper articles, films and documentaries, essays and fiction. 

 

A sound understanding of the historical evolution of the role of the intellectual class in Italy especially in its relationship to different state organizations (dictatorship and democratic state). 

 

A critical approach towards published primary and secondary sources

Additional outcomes:

The module encourages the development of independent research skills and the presentation of soundly based arguments through oral discussion and in writing. Students will also improve their IT proficiency by conducting Web searches for materials relevant to the module and by being required to submit word-processed essays. 

 

The specially designed classes on presentation skills will equip students with the necessary awareness on standards of presentation and communication. 

 

The group (max two students) or individual presentation project will help students to acquire time-management and interpersonal skills and to understand how to manage a group to meet deadlines and achieve the standards expected for the completion of the task. 

Outline content:

We will study select case studies related to the main typologies of the public intellectual (political activist, literary intellectual, the engaged journalist, etc). A historical overview of the periods under scrutiny will be provided as well as detailed biographical information on the intellectuals to be studied each term. The first term will typically concentrate on the complicated relationships between the Fascist regime, Italian intellectuals, cultural and educational institutions. In the second term, students will address the role of intellectuals in the transition away from Fascism and the creation of the Italian Republic. Attention may be paid to some of the following themes: social inclusion and mobility, widening access to University education, women’s, gay’s and minorities’ rights, and the strategies used to eradicate the Mafia and terrorism. Amongst the case studies that may be selected for this part of the course are: Elio Vittorini, Cesare Pavese, Paolo Volponi, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Mauro Mieli, Rossana Rossanda, Leonardo Sciascia, Walter Tobagi, Roberto Saviano.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
This module will be taught with a mixture of lectures and student-led seminars. A couple of sessions will be devoted to presentational skills, including a session on how to make presentation posters. Depending on availability, a small series of lectures will be held by internationally renowned experts on topics relevant to the course.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures	8	8
Seminars	7	7
Project Supervision	2	2
Practicals classes and workshops	2	2
Guided independent study:	81	81
Total hours by term	100	100	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	80
Oral assessment and presentation	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

2 written assignments (of 2500 words each): the average mark of these will contribute 80% of the module mark. Students will be required to give a structured presentation during each term and each will count for 10% of the module mark. A list of topics for presentation and assignments will be made available by week 2 of the Spring each Term. Coaching for presentation skills will be made available throughout the course.

Formative assessment methods:

Students will be required to a 10 minute critical evaluation of an academic article on a topic studied during the term.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Reassessment in August in the event of failure in this module and in Part 2 as a whole. Coursework may be resubmitted by 1.00 pm on the third Friday of August or, if the University is closed on the third Friday of August, the first working day thereafter; otherwise the mark from the first attempt will be carried forward.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022