The course aims to provide the historical knowledge and the conceptual and methodological tools necessary to understand the evolution of the institutional and administrative systems of European states from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 21st century.

1) Knowledge and understanding: the student will acquire in-depth knowledge regarding the evolution of the institutional and administrative systems of the Western World in the contemporary age and the main conceptual tools for historically thinking about their parabola. The student will be able to understand the evolution of political institutions and public administration, their cause and effect connections and their location in the space-time context. Assessment of knowledge will take place on an ongoing basis through class exercises and with final oral exam. 2) Applying knowledge and understanding: the student will be able to think historically about the institutional and administrative context in which he lives. He will thus be able to understand more fully the present by which he is surrounded.This will provide him with knowledge and conceptual tools useful for interpreting and facing the present with greater awareness. The habit of thinking and discussing the present in a historical perspective will allow the student to refine critical thinking and argumentative skills. The evaluation of the achievement of these objectives will take place through the final exam and on-going verification through seminar and training activities 3)Making judgements: the student will develop a critical awareness that will allow him to analyze the complexity of the history of institutions and administration in its many aspects. In this way he will be able to analyze critically and independently the institutional and administrative reality in which he lives. 4) Communications Skills: the student will acquire the ability to communicate the acquired skills clearly and with appropriate language. He will be able to argue his point of view in a critical, articulated and effective way. 5) Learning skills: the student will be able to independently identify ways of deepening his knowledge. By putting into practice the methodologies learned during lectures and seminars, the student will be able to elaborate insights on opposing theses, prepared with specialist readings; and to conduct research by consulting specialist texts and journals.

The first part of the course deals with the main issues related to the origins and developments of the modern and contemporary political institutions. The second part of the course concentrates on the comparative analysis of two case studies: the US and Italy The course develops an in-depth analysis of connections and mutual moulding between institutions, political actors and cultural transformations

Compulsory reading for all: 1) "Storia delle istituzioni politiche. Dall'antico regime all'era globale", a cura di M. Meriggi e L. Tedoldi, Carocci, 2019: chapters 3, 4, 5,6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 2) G. Astuto, L'amministrazione italiana. Dal centralismo napoleonico al al federalismo amministrativo, Carocci, 2021 3) L. Castellani, "L'incubo di Tocqueville. Storia della burocrazia federale degli Stati Uniti d'America", Effigi, 2020 Ulteriori, brevi, letture oggetto di seminario e/o presentazione da parte degli studenti potranno essere indicate dal docente nella prima settimana di lezione

Lectures, seminars

The assessment of student will take place at the end of the course through an oral exam. Students will have to demonstrate that they think historically the institutional and administrative context in which they live; to know the main conceptual issues in the history of the institutions of European states in the contemporary age, as well as the specific national case studies examined during lectures. The students must demonstrate that they have acquired the methodhodology and learning ability necessary to continue the study of the subject independently. The following evaluation criteria will be taken into account to assign the final grade, expressed in thirtieths: knowledge and understanding of the evolution of political institutions and public administration in the contemporary age (65 ability to critically consult scientific literature (35%). Learning gaps concerning one or more on parts of the program will lead to an insufficient evaluation, even in presence of a basic knowledge of the matter.

to be discussed with professor

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