The knowledge of contemporary (or late modern) history from the French Revolution to the collapse of the communist world, phenomena which, as will be clarified during the course, can be considered plausible terms a quo and ad quem.

Knowledge and understanding:
The belief that the work of the historian is to fulfill an ethical and civic function is certainly not rare within the Academy. The thread that runs through the course refers to a different conception of the historical work, instead: though probably in the minority among the experts, we believe this conception, rejecting the idea that research must serve extra-scientific goals, to be equally legitimate.
Accordingly, the historian, in the exercise of his profession, must repudiate any ethical-pedagogical suggestion; he should reject any blandishment and flattery from those who would want to commission him therapeutic tasks, aimed at regenerating and legitimizing political and institutional systems.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
To understand the problematic issues connected to the work of the historian and link them with the teaching practice.
Making judgements:
To explain to the student what must be the intellectual autonomy of the historian, who, if truly such, should not take part, in our opinion, in any process of nation building. Neither a creator of identity nor a promoter of civic virtues, he must indeed take the risk that his work may reveal an irreconcilable contradiction between his professional duties and the civic obligations deriving from belonging to a common citizenship.
Communication skills:
The student will become able to bring out, with appropriate language, the problematic issues of the discipline.
Learning skills:
Let the student understand that Block's Defending the Undefendable is the best access key to understanding everything else.