976431 Contemporary Italy
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 8 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): (976001 Foundations in International Studies AND 24 credit points of completed study in spk(s): CBK90005 Country Choice combined Degrees with BA IntStud) OR ((64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09089 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Bachelor of Laws (Honours) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09091 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) Bachelor of Laws (Honours) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09093-C09096, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10359 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10361-C10364, and Category Type = Bachelor's Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10365-C10368, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10369 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10370 Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) Bachelor of International Studies OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10371 Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10372-C10383, and Category Type = Bachelor's Combined Degree OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10276 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design OR 64 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10277 Bachelor of Music and Sound Design Bachelor of International Studies))
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Anti-requisite(s): 979515 Contemporary Italy
Description
This subject introduces students to contemporary Italy and its historical, political, cultural, social and economic dimensions in a local, national, continental and global context. It provides students with critical skills to identify major contemporary issues that shape the present-day society of the country, introducing theoretical and methodological frameworks for students to engage in intercultural research.
In Weeks 2 and 12, students follow an umbrella program shared by all contemporary European society subjects that introduces general issues relating to contemporary Europe: definitions of Europe, the drive to unification, internal divisions within Europe and the impact of migration, among others.
In the other weeks, the subject focuses on divergent and historical ways of conceptualising Italy. Close attention is paid to the modern history of Italy, from Unification, through the Fascist period and the Second World War, to the so-called ‘economic miracle’ and sociocultural and political developments of recent decades. Particular attention is paid to migration and multilingualism, which have historically shaped and continue to shape the cultures and identities of Italy.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| a. | Reflect on and analyse contemporary Italy in its historical, political, cultural, social, and economic dimensions. |
|---|---|
| b. | Employ approaches and frameworks to engage in historical, political, cultural, social and economic inquiry. |
| c. | Apply knowledges of Italy ethically in their reflective and inquiry-based works. |
| d. | Demonstrate critical problem-solving and research-led analytical skills in the context of Italy. |
| e. | Communicate effectively in English the findings of independent inquiries and reflections in written form. |
| f. | Maintain good academic practice, observing ethics and referencing standards. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (INT = International Studies CILOs):
- Evaluate critically theoretical and specialised knowledge of contemporary societies, cultures and workplaces. (INT.2.1)
- Understand and engage with cultural diversities in Australia and/or internationally. (INT.3.1)
- Engage critically with current issues to act in socially responsible ways in Australian and international settings. (INT.5.1)
- Communicate clearly and effectively in written and spoken language using diverse digital technologies. (INT.6.1)
Teaching and learning strategies
Contemporary Italy combines lectures, tutorials, collaborative learning, reflection and individual research. Lectures provide students with an overview of key theoretical concepts and historical context. Assigned readings and in-class activities are designed for students to engage with and reflect on these concepts and contexts. Tutorials also provide the training and skills required to complete the assessment tasks: visual analysis, critical reflection, essays and scoping a research topic. Contemporary Italy requires student engagement in and outside of sessions. Multimedia resources are provided to students in tutorials and online, and these resources can be used to complete assessment tasks where appropriate. Students are encouraged to apply critical thinking skills to their weekly reflections and assessment tasks. Contemporary Italy also allows students a good degree of flexibility to choose their own topic for their essays in consultation with their tutor based on their individual interests and disciplinary background. Formative feedback on students' reflective writing will be provided in the Week 3 tutorial.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Reflective Learning Journal Part 1
| Objective(s): | a, c, d, e and f | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2 x 250-word edited reflections. Total 500 words. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Essay
| Objective(s): | a, b, c, d, e and f | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1000 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Reflective Learning Journal Part 2
| Objective(s): | a, c, d, e and f | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 1 x 500-word global reflection and 2 x 500-word edited reflections. Total 1500 words. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Required texts
Weekly readings are divided into prescribed and supplementary readings. Prescribed weekly readings are either available through a standard UTS library catalogue search (for journal articles and some e-books), or have been placed on the UTS Library Digital Resource Register (print book chapters). The readings are intended to provide students with a solid grounding in the issues raised and discussed each week. To take full advantage of the subject, students should read in advance and do additional research beyond each week’s main and supplementary readings.
Contemporary Italian Society: Useful texts for background reading
There are no set text-books for this unit; however, here are some very good histories of Italy that will help you to understand the current society and its context:
- Foot, J. (2014) Modern Italy (Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan), available online through UTS Library.
- Ginsborg, P. (1990) A History of Contemporary Italy: Society and Politics 1943-1988 (London: Penguin Books).
- Ginsborg, P. (2001) Italy and its Discontents: Family, Civil Society, State 1988-2001 (London: Penguin Books).
- Duggan, C. (1994) A Concise History of Italy (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press), available online through UTS Library.