The purpose of the course is to provide theoretical instruments and fundamental notions for the comprehension of historical, political, economic and military aspects of the system of International Relations from the Post First World War period until the present day. The course is divided in two parts: the first part deals with the analysis of the evolution of the international system until the Second World War; while in the second part the analysis will focus on the sunset of the “multi-polar Eurocentrism” and on the birth of the new “super powers”: the USA, the USSR and its blocs until the fall of the Soviet Union and the attempt to create a “new international order”.

The student who completes the course successfully will be able to demonstrate a solid knowledge of the main processes and dynamics of the international system's evolution from the end of the First World War to the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991. He or she will be able to look critically at the main issues of the Eurocentric multilateral system in the Twenties and Thirties, the complex diplomatic reasons of the Second World War, the diplomatic relations between USSR and USA and their allies during the Cold War and last but not least, will have demonstrated the ability to define the social and political features of local and international crisis after 1945.