511671 - COMPARATIVE HISTORY OF LOCAL POWERS

courses

ID:

511671

Duration (hours):

36

CFU:

SSD:

STORIA DELLE ISTITUZIONI POLITICHE

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Secondo Semestre (23/02/2026 - 22/05/2026)

Course Objectives

The course aims to compare the development of major European local government systems between the 19th and 20th centuries, identifying historical continuities and constraints that have shaped contemporary institutional frameworks. By the end of the course, students should demonstrate: a) A solid understanding of the topics covered in lectures and assigned readings; b) Mastery of the specialized vocabulary necessary to communicate acquired knowledge; c) The conceptual tools required to critically interpret and evaluate the themes discussed.

Course Prerequisites

Students are expected to possess a basic knowledge of 19th- and 20th-century European history.

Teaching Methods

The course combines lectures and seminars, encouraging active student participation through debates, presentations, and discussions of readings and primary sources. Lectures will be supported by PowerPoint presentations, which will be made available on the Moodle platform KIRO in the course section.

Assessment Methods

The final exam will be oral. Students must demonstrate: a) Precise knowledge of the topics discussed in class or covered in the readings; b) Clear and accurate presentation of acquired content; c) Critical analysis of interpretative paradigms introduced in lectures or texts; d) Ability to apply acquired concepts to current public debates. ATTENDING STUDENTS may choose between: - Preparing for the oral exam using lecture notes and assigned readings; - Submitting a written paper (max. 20,000 characters) on a topic agreed upon during class. The paper must be sent via email to Prof. Colombo (ecolombo@unipv.it) by the end of the course. If the grade does not meet expectations, students may still opt for the oral exam. NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS will take the oral exam based on the required readings listed above.

Texts

For ATTENDING STUDENTS. Attending students will prepare for the exam using lecture notes and any additional readings assigned during class. These materials will be uploaded to the Moodle platform KIRO. For NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS. Non-attending students are required to study the following texts: - F. Rugge (ed.), I regimi della città. Il governo municipale in Europa tra ‘800 e ‘900, Milano, Franco Angeli, 1992; - E. Colombo (ed.), I sindaci del re, 1859–1889, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2010, pp. 9–50, 379–426; - Nico Wouters, “The Impact of the German Occupation (1940–1944) on the Belgian and Dutch Mayoralty” and Anthony McElligott, “Servants of the State, Agents of the Party, Representatives of the People: The German Mayoralty in the 20th Century” in Heads of the Local State. Mayors, Provosts and Burgomasters since 1800, ed. by John Garrard, Routledge, 2007, pp. 115–156 These readings also support independent exam preparation for students enrolled in inclusive learning programs (Didattica inclusiva).

The course will examine the historical features of the Italian local government system, with comparative references to other European traditions. Particular—though not exclusive—attention will be given to the cases of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom. Key topics include: - Actors and territories; - Governing bodies; - Functions and controls; - Center–periphery relations.

Course Language

Italian

More information

Prof. Colombo meets students by appointment during office hours listed on the Department of Political and Social Sciences website, or at other agreed times by writing to: ecolombo@unipv.it Students enrolled in inclusive learning programs (Didattica inclusiva) are guaranteed up to two hours of weekly office hours, including online meetings, with flexible scheduling based on individual needs.