Fascist Heritage: legacies of Mussolini's Italy

Aims of the course

1.  To introduce participants to the heritage of fascism.
2.  To encourage participants to think critically and creatively about heritage and how this can be manipulated by dictatorial regimes.
3. To enable participants to work collaboratively with their peers to further the understanding and presentation of this period.

Course content overview

Dictators and authoritarian leaders have always relied extensively on art, architecture and culture as a powerful way to deliver their ideology. The Italian fascist dictatorship is no exception, but how were art and architecture used to work as constant reminder of the will of the leader? This online course will explore how heritage sites connected to Mussolini’s life and period of rule are places with legacies that are difficult for Italians to deal with today. As many sites were the material representation of fascist beliefs and values, this course will examine the narrative behind these ‘reminders’ and think through why these sites are still problematic today.  

Target audience

This course will be of interest to participants interested in archaeology, history, conservation, heritage management, political studies, ethics, historic environment, architecture, etc. No previous knowledge of the subject is required.

Schedule (this course is completed entirely online)

Orientation Week: 7-13 April 2025

Teaching Weeks: 14 April-18 May 2025

Feedback Week: 19-25 May 2025

Teaching Week 1 - A general introduction to Italian fascist heritage

This week will introduce the relationship between heritage and fascist regime, in particular how Mussolini relied on Culture as a powerful ideological tool. Participants will gain an understanding of the material legacies of fascism and of how propaganda works.

Teaching Week 2 - Fascist heritage in Rome and key case studies

Mussolini had a very special relationship with the city of Rome, he hated and loved the city at the same time. This week we will explore why Rome and the myth of Rome were so important for propaganda and how Mussolini used art and architecture to leave an enduring legacy. Participants will gain a  basic understanding of how Roman antiquities have been used by the regime for political gain; an overview of the main fascist sites in Rome; an understanding of the importance of contemporary debate over contested monuments. 

Teaching Week 3 - Difficult heritage and the legacies of the regime

This week will look at what the term ‘Difficult Heritage’ means, what are its political implications in light of the contemporary debate over contested monuments, and what the different positions are on this topic. Participants will gain an understanding of what makes heritage ‘difficult’ and what this means when referred to fascist heritage. 

Teaching Week 4 - Mussolini's home at Villa Torlonia in Rome

This week will look at Mussolini’s villa in Rome, how the place has changed from the post-war to present day , and how the site is currently presented to the public. Participants will gain an understanding of the different issues that emerge in presenting a difficult site to the public. 

Teaching Week 5 - Mussolini's birth and resting place in Predappio

Mussolini’s birth and resting place in Predappio is a difficult heritage site in the post-war period. It has become a neo-fascist pilgrimage site.  This week will discuss the dangers of heritage sites like Predappio and possible ways to address the various issues. Participants will gain an understanding of the perils of fascist sites to turn into neo-fascist sites of memory and how to deal with them. 

Each week of an online course is roughly equivalent to 2-3 hours of classroom time. On top of this, participants should expect to spend roughly 2-3 hours reading material, etc., although this will vary from person to person.

While they have a specific start and end date and will follow a weekly schedule (for example, week 1 will cover topic A, week 2 will cover topic B), our tutor-led online courses are designed to be flexible and as such would normally not require participants to be online for a specific day of the week or time of the day (although some tutors may try to schedule times where participants can be online together for web seminars, which will be recorded so that those who are unable to be online at certain times are able to access material).

Virtual Learning Environment

Unless otherwise stated, all course material will be posted on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) so that they can be accessed at any time throughout the duration of the course and interaction with your tutor and fellow participants will take place through a variety of different ways which will allow for both synchronous and asynchronous learning (discussion boards etc).

Certificate of participation

A Certificate of Participation will be awarded to participants who contribute constructively to weekly discussions and exercises/assignments for the duration of the course.

Entry requirements

This course is open to everyone, and you don’t need any previous knowledge or experience of the subject to attend.

Our short courses are designed especially for adult learners who want to advance their personal or professional development. They are taught by tutors who are expert in both their subjects and in teaching students of all ages and experiences.

Please note that all teaching is in English. You should have near-native command of the English language in order to get the maximum benefit from the course.