Part 1: The world of John Bull: an introduction to the United Kingdom (Prof. M. Costantini, 3 CFU). UK history, institutions and culture will be introduced. Students will be encouraged to reflect on different aspects of British culture, including social issues (gender, age, ethnic issues) and aspects of today’s culture. Students will watch and discuss socially and culturally important films such as "East is East" (1999) by Damien O’Donnell and "It’s a Free World." (2007) by Ken Loach.

TEXT:
 John Oakland, "British Civilization: an Introduction", Routledge, 2011 (7th edition) [Chapts. 3, 4 (only pp. 89-111), 7, 9, 10, 11 (only pp. 283-286, 295-298), 12].

Part 2: Contemporary India: from Orientalism to globalization (Prof. M. Costantini, 3 CFU). This Part analyses the complex reality of contemporary India, a rising country characterized by a strong economy and an increasingly influential culture. After a short historical introduction, especially centred on the colonial and postcolonial ages, classes will focus on the institutions, the political-economic system and the social structure of the ‘Indian giant’, which will be analysed in their points of strength as well as their contradictions between past and present. Some distinctive aspects of Indian culture will also be taken into consideration. Part 2 will be enriched by the discussion of some Indian films such as "The Terrorist" (1998) by Santosh Sivan, "Monsoon Wedding" (2001) by Mira Nair and "Water" (2005) by Deepa Mehta. This discussion aims to bring into focus specific aspects of India’s socio-cultural reality.

TEXT:
 John Farndon, "India Booms. The Breathtaking Development and Influence of Modern India", Virgin, 2007 [Chapts. 1, 2, 3, 7, 8 + Background pp. 175-208].

Part 3: The American Dream (Prof. C. Martinez, 2/3 CFU). This part will provide students with basic knowledge of US history, institutions, economy, culture, and social life. Special attention will be devoted to the analysis of US Government and political institutions, foreign and immigration policy, economy, minority cultures, religion, social structures and movements, together with the linguistic and cultural aspects that characterize contemporary America. We will also discuss some of the myths that typify American culture and society.

TEXT: David Mauk and John Oakland, “American Civilization: An Introduction”, Routledge, 2014 (6th revised edition) [2 CFU: Chapts. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6; for 3 CFU: Chapts. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 13. If you use the 5th edition, for 2 CFU Chapts. are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9; for 3 CFU Chapts. are: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, 13.]