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PL30842: Italian politics and society II: the Berlusconi years (1994-2012)

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Follow this link for further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
Follow this link for further information on credits Credits: 6
Follow this link for further information on unit levels Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Follow this link for further information on period slots Period: Semester 2
Follow this link for further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 33%, EX 67%
Follow this link for further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Reassessment exam (where allowed by programme regulations)
Follow this link for further information on unit rules Requisites: This unit is only available to Italian language students.
Follow this link for further information on unit content Description: Aims:
This unit seeks to:
* Describe the decay of 'democracy, Italian style' in the 1980s and account for its downfall.
* Examine the new political actors (Lega Nord, Forza Italia, Alleanza Nazionale, the Ulivo) which have emerged on the political scene.
* Analyse the institutional context of the crisis of the I Republic and the failure of Italy's politicians since 1995 to achieve any lasting constitutional reform.
* Make an informed assessment of Italy's ability to maintain the path of economic reform - a question not without interest for Italy's European partners.
* Analyse the Berlusconi phenomenon and its impact on Italian poltics and society.

Learning Outcomes:
By the end of the unit, students should be able to demonstrate:
* an understanding of the 'Italian State of crisis';
* A knowledge of the major aspects of the Berlusconi years;
* An awareness of recent debates and issues surrounding reform;
* An awareness of major academic debates about relevant issues, including different schools of thought (e.g. theories of European integration).

Skills:
Skills in critical analysis, conceptual thinking, precision in the use of written and spoken language, exercise of independent judgement, reasoned argument, effective communication in the target language, teamwork and the planning/conduct/reporting of non-quantitative research are developed and assessed in this unit. Language skills are developed in this unit.

Content:
Lectures include: 1) Politics post-1945, 2) society post 1945, 3) The Italian state�s crisis in 1994, 4) Berlusconi�s rise to power, 5) Berlusconi�s political and social reforms, 6) Berlusconi and the media, 7) The Northern League in Power, 8) The new party system, 9) The Left in Italy, 10) What future for Italian politics and democracy?
Follow this link for further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

PL30842 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies
  • UHPL-AYB16 : BA (hons) Italian (ab initio) and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB14 : BA (hons) Italian and Politics (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB08 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB04 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (French and Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB06 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB02 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (German and Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB20 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and ab initio Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4
  • UHPL-AYB19 : BA (hons) Modern Languages and European Studies (Spanish and Italian) (Full-time with Year Abroad) - Year 4

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.