Course Catalogue

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The course will examine the rise of Rome as an ancient Italian superpower, assess its decline and revival with the Papacy and the Holy Roman Empire, the great city states of the Renaissance, the divisions prior to the Risorgimento and the new nation's erratic performance during the 20th century.

Block 2

2 hours per week for 10 weeks

Fridays, 10.00-12.00

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Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

The course aims to:

■ Examine the history of Italy to achieve an understanding of how its geographical position and its people have evinced extraordinary levels of political, religious and cultural innovation.

■ Consider how Italy came late to nationhood and has been relatively unstable both politically and economically during the past century.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Describe the world-class achievements of the Roman city-state, the Papacy, the Holy Roman Empire and the Italian Renaissance

■ Critically evaluate the nature of Italy's faltering route to nationhood and its changing fortunes up to the recent Euro crisis.

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