The Graduate research program aims to support the training of scholars capable of analyzing and investigating the origins of the idea of Europe, the pluralism and variety of European cultures, the construction and activities of the European Union in the interaction between states, and Europe’s cultural and political projection and interaction beyond the continent in light of the most accredited results and scientific approaches. The Graduate program is focused on the study of the essential processes of the formation of political and cultural space in Europe in the modern and contemporary eras, starting from the idea of Europe itself (from the classic studies by Chabod and Saitta to the more recent suggestions made by Pagden) and the debate over the plurality of histories and memories, from new sensibilities brought about by the processes of European unification to reflections on the determining influence of other world cultures on the European territory. The program aims in particular at investigating forms and methods of building a European identity on the political and economic level based on valuing differences in ethnicity, gender, language, religion, political opinions, nationality, social class, education, birth and abilities, in line with the themes of Agenda 2030.
Transversal themes that connect historical, political, economic and cultural perspectives in light of social challenges (equality, sustainability, education, health, information) and which characterize the identity and lives of European citizens as part of an institution are of particular interest in the doctoral course. Along these lines, themes that are critically developed include national identities and the resulting problems of socio-cultural integration between peoples, cultures, religions, traditions and states, as well as aspects related to the dimension of social and economic development, from levels of literacy to processes of inclusion.
The graduate program is open to research on the relations between the European continent and the Mediterranean world, as well as on issues such as the relationship between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, processes of supranational and regional integration, and the dynamics between Europe and the Middle East and Eurasian cultures. |