Aims

The course will present historical research and interpretations about the Fascist dictatorship from the crisis of Liberal Italy at the start of the First World War to the liberation of Italy in 1945.
The principal periods which will be analysed are: the origins of the dictatorship, squadrismo, the March on Rome and the repression of political opposition; the cult of Mussolini, the creation of a Fascist mythology and its reception among Italians both in Italy and abroad; the militarization and racism; the Second World War and the fall of the regime.
The seminars will explore the development of the relationship between the dictatorship and the Italians throughout this period by analysing contemporary sources: laws, songs, films, pictures, and speeches.

The module aims are:
1) To examine the political and cultural history of Fascist Italy, and to locate it in the context of both modern Italian history and European Fascism.
2) To identify a range of primary sources and contemporary publications.
3) To examine and evaluate a range of historiographical perspectives.
4) To provide an opportunity to acquire a sound general knowledge of the subject, reading widely and critically in the primary and secondary literature associated with it and to develop the capacity for independent study.

Outline Of Syllabus

Outline syllabus, intended as a guide only: week-by-week topics may be slightly different to the following.

- Liberal Italy and nationalism
- The ‘Red Biennial’ and Squadrismo: 1919-1922
- The Dictatorship: from the March on Rome to the Fascist Laws
- Repression and Coercion
- Propaganda and persuasion. The cult of Mussolini
- Public/private and everyday life
- Militarisation and the empire
- The images of fascism
- Italian Racism
- War and Defeat, 1940-1943
- The Salò Republic and the Resistance, 1943-45
- Fascism in the national memory

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Seminars will encourage students to select and prioritise form a range of source material, and will enable students to raise and discuss issues themselves. All students will also undertake the presentation of a specific theme in both written and oral form.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Exams test acquisition of a clear general knowledge of the subject plus the ability to think and analyse a problem quickly, to select from and to apply both the general knowledge and detailed knowledge of aspects of the subject to new questions, problem-solving skills, adaptability, the ability to work unaided and to write clearly and concisely.

Documentary commentary exercises and examinations test knowledge and understanding of the texts set for the module. The ability to compare and contrast related source texts on a common subject. The ability to expound and criticize a textual extract lucidly, succinctly and with relevance in a relatively brief space, and, in an exam, under pressure of time.

Work submitted during the delivery of the module forms a means of determining student progress.

Submitted work tests intended knowledge and skills outcomes, develops key skills in research, reading and writing.

This module can be made available to Erasmus students only with the agreement of the Head of Subject and of the Module Leader. This option must be discussed in person at the beginning of your exchange period. No restrictions apply to study-abroad, exchange and Loyola students.
All Erasmus students at Newcastle University are expected to do the same assessment as students registered for a degree.
Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending semester 1 only are required to finish their assessment while in Newcastle. This will take the form of an alternative assessment, as outlined in the formats below:

Modules assessed by Coursework and Exam:
The normal alternative form of assessment for all semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be one essay in addition to the other coursework assessment (the length of the essay should be adjusted in order to comply with the assessment tariff); to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.

Modules assessed by Exam only:
The normal alternative form of assessment for all semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be two 2,000 word written exercises; to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.

Modules assessed by Coursework only:
All semester 1 non-EU study abroad students will be expected to complete the standard assessment for the module; to be submitted no later than 12pm Friday of week 12. The essays should be set so as to assure coverage of the course content to date.

Study-abroad, non-Erasmus exchange and Loyola students spending the whole academic year or semester 2 are required to complete the standard assessment as set out in the MOF under all circumstances.