The main aim of the 'Laboratorio di Attualità' (i.e. Current Affairs Workshop) is to encourage participating students to engage in an open discussion on a selection of events, dynamics and processes that characterise the world today, starting with an analysis that traces their origins in the past and defines their characteristics from a diachronic and spatial perspective at varying scales. Conflicts (such as those currently taking place between Russia and Ukraine, in the Middle East or in certain parts of Africa), dynamics (for example, migration, economic and energy crises, environmental issues), shifts in the geopolitical landscape, etc., are some examples of the topics that will be addressed by the Workshop.
The various sessions scheduled will take a text as their starting point (newspaper articles, essays, works of various kinds) with the aim of fostering a debate among participants and exploring certain aspects already analysed in the course ‘Istituzioni di Storia contemporanea’, but with a stronger emphasis on dialogue and the relationship between the present and the past
The various sessions scheduled will take a text as their starting point (newspaper articles, essays, works of various kinds) with the aim of fostering a debate among participants and exploring certain aspects already analysed in the course ‘Istituzioni di Storia contemporanea’, but with a stronger emphasis on dialogue and the relationship between the present and the past
teacher profile teaching materials
- The use of propaganda, disinformation, and fake news: the origins of the phenomenon
- Gaza
- The normalization of war
- The Russia-Ukraine conflict
- Conflicts in the Middle East: Israel-Palestine, Iran, Yemen
- The EU and the Mediterranean
- The climate crisis and environmental issues
- The far right in Europe
- Trump and the United States
- Contemporary Turkey
- Immigration and demographics in Italy
- The political situation in Italy
The following textbook serves as a general reference:
L. Caracciolo, A. Roccucci, Storia contemporanea: dal mondo europeo al mondo senza centro, Le Monnier Università. 2017
Programme
During the workshop sessions, the following topics will be analyzed:- The use of propaganda, disinformation, and fake news: the origins of the phenomenon
- Gaza
- The normalization of war
- The Russia-Ukraine conflict
- Conflicts in the Middle East: Israel-Palestine, Iran, Yemen
- The EU and the Mediterranean
- The climate crisis and environmental issues
- The far right in Europe
- Trump and the United States
- Contemporary Turkey
- Immigration and demographics in Italy
- The political situation in Italy
Prerequisiti
No prerequisite is required to attend the course.Core Documentation
Given the overall structure of the workshop—whose sessions will primarily consist of discussions of a selection of newspaper articles, online articles, essays, etc.—no specific textbooks are required.The following textbook serves as a general reference:
L. Caracciolo, A. Roccucci, Storia contemporanea: dal mondo europeo al mondo senza centro, Le Monnier Università. 2017
Reference Bibliography
L. Caracciolo, A. Roccucci, Storia contemporanea: dal mondo europeo al mondo senza centro, Le Monnier Università. 2017Attendance
Attendance is a requirement for earning course credit. Attendance at classes will be tracked. The minimum requirement for earning course credit is attendance at at least two-thirds of the classes.Type of evaluation
The Assessment, which will be on a “pass/fail” basis, will be ongoing, based on the contributions of the students participating in the workshop during the discussion of the topics covered. teacher profile teaching materials
Each class will be devoted to a current affairs topic, analyzed within its historical context. Drawing on the discussion of a short reading distributed during the session, students will be encouraged to identify the main political, social, and economic actors involved, thereby developing a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at stake than that usually offered by traditional media and social media.
No prior knowledge is required to take this course.
Programme
Programme for the 2026-27 Academic YearEach class will be devoted to a current affairs topic, analyzed within its historical context. Drawing on the discussion of a short reading distributed during the session, students will be encouraged to identify the main political, social, and economic actors involved, thereby developing a more comprehensive understanding of the issues at stake than that usually offered by traditional media and social media.
No prior knowledge is required to take this course.
Prerequisiti
here are no prerequisites, but it would be helpful for students to have a good knowledge of twentieth-century international history.Core Documentation
Students will be provided with short preparatory readings.Attendance
Class attendance is not compulsory; however, it is strongly recommended.Type of evaluation
Oral exam covering the contents of the course teacher profile teaching materials
- The use of propaganda, disinformation, and fake news: the origins of the phenomenon
- Gaza
- The normalization of war
- The Russia-Ukraine conflict
- Conflicts in the Middle East: Israel-Palestine, Iran, Yemen
- The EU and the Mediterranean
- The climate crisis and environmental issues
- The far right in Europe
- Trump and the United States
- Contemporary Turkey
- Immigration and demographics in Italy
- The political situation in Italy
Programme
During the workshop sessions, the following topics will be analyzed:- The use of propaganda, disinformation, and fake news: the origins of the phenomenon
- Gaza
- The normalization of war
- The Russia-Ukraine conflict
- Conflicts in the Middle East: Israel-Palestine, Iran, Yemen
- The EU and the Mediterranean
- The climate crisis and environmental issues
- The far right in Europe
- Trump and the United States
- Contemporary Turkey
- Immigration and demographics in Italy
- The political situation in Italy
Prerequisiti
No prerequisite is required to attend the course.Core Documentation
L. Caracciolo-A. Roccucci, Storia contemporanea, Le Monnier Università, Milano 2017.Attendance
Attendance is mandatory. Attendance at classes will be recorded. To qualify for course completion, students must attend at least two-thirds of the classes.Type of evaluation
The Assessment, which will be on a “pass/fail” basis, will be ongoing, based on the contributions of the students participating in the workshop during the discussion of the topics covered.