Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with: - the ability to confront complex historiographical topics based on a sound knowledge of the lineages of Early Modern History as well as to read and critique documents and historical interpretations; - the means to apply methodologies and notions acquired in analysing present day problems in the light of their historical origins; - autonomy in evaluating interpretations of historical issues and in studying documentary sources. The ability to communicate at various levels the results of any research.
Course unit content
The course aims to investigate and relate the idea of Europe and the notion of the modern state, in the light of the contemporary historiography. Some fundamental concepts of European political identity are then focused (through keywords such as "politics", "Christianity", "war", "tolerance", etc.). A space will also be dedicated to the graphic, pictorial and cartographic representations of Europe in relation to the above mentioned aspects. Finally, the lessons focus on the political-institutional aspects that characterize the birth of the modern State, using critical reflection on sources and documents (in particular, it will reflect on the three concepts of power, religion and discovery). Some of the lessons are dedicated to critical reading of documentary sources and significant texts from recent historiography.
Bibliography
1. Federico CHABOD, Storia dell’idea di Europa, Laterza (qualunque edizione o ristampa dell’opera). 2. Dal volume di Autori Vari, Storia moderna, Manuali Donzelli, 1998, è richiesta la lettura dei contributi di P. DEL NEGRO; F. BENIGNO; E. FASANO; R. PASTA; G. ABBATTISTA; A.M. RAO. Ogni studente dovrà inoltre scegliere uno tra i testi sottoelencati, che rappresentano casi concreti di indagine su contesti specifici: W. BARBERIS, Le armi del Principe, Einaudi, 1988 F. BARBIERATO, Politici e ateisti, Unicopli, 2006 E. FUMAGALLI e G. SIGNOROTTO, La corte estense nel primo Seicento, Viella 2012 C. MOZZARELLI, Mantova e i Gonzaga, Utet, 1987 P. PRODI, Il sovrano pontefice, Il Mulino, 1982 G. SIGNOROTTO, Milano spagnola, Sansoni 2002 M. AL KALAK, L'eresia dei fratelli. Una comunità eterodossa nella Modena del '500, Roma, Edizioni di storia e letteratura, 2011. Per i NON FREQUENTANTI si richiede la lettura aggiuntiva del seguente volume: Sanjay SUBRAHMANYAM, Mondi connessi: la storia oltre l'eurocentrismo (secoli XVI-XVIII), Roma, Carocci, 2014.
Teaching methods
Lectures. Visits to archives and libraries will also be organised. The lecturer will illustrate resources available on-line providing research guidelines. External academics and scholars will be invited to hold seminars to discuss their research.
Assessment methods and criteria
• Final examination: oral. • The examination will verify: the critical ability to analyse historical issues and their historiographical interpretations; the ability to analyse historical issues and their historiographical reconstruction; the ability to understand and evaluate Early Modern documents. • The student will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between events and their historiographical interpretations. The student will also be expected to demonstrate a knowledge of the essential lineages of European and Global history from the end of the XV century up to the mid-19th century.
Other information
The student will be expected to demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between events and their historiographical interpretations. The student will also be expected to demonstrate a knowledge of the essential lineages of European and Global history from the end of the XV century up to the mid-19th century.
