The aim of the course is to explore the main issues of a critical period in Italian history (1919-1945) both in an historical and in a cultural perspective. You will be introduced to Fascism as an ideological phenomenon, to the events that led to its rise to power, and to the most important features of the Fascist regime. Attention will be paid to social and cultural aspects of the Fascist movement and the regime it gave rise to. At the end of the course you will have developed an understanding of the birth and development of Italian Fascism, and of Fascism’s impact on Italian society. You will acquire familiarity with some of the major interpretations of Fascism and be able to evaluate these.