Learning objectives
The aim of the seminar is to develop critical thinking and reading. By the end of the course, students will have learned how to assess source material and use it to construct historical arguments. Through the development of critical reading skills and writing techniques, students will learn to take positions on the broad historical issues addressed in the class.
Prerequisites
Sound Knowledge of Early modern History, critical analysis of the sources, consciousness of the difference between History and Historiography, use of footnotes
Course unit content
This course offers a broad survey on the Sixteenth Century political and religious turn, but is also open to anthropological and social interpretations. It will take into consideration the cultural impact of the Counter-reformation on the female reading practices in early modern Italy focusing on the evolution of the relationship between women, books and reading control. It will examine the repressive censorial politics put into practice by the Inquisition and through the Index of prohibited books, and their impact on literacy, books' circulation, female readng practices, women's self-representation. A wide variey of different sources will be analyzed and compared: letters, notary registers and trial records.
Full programme
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Bibliography
Modulo C – FREQUENTANTI e NON FREQUENTANTI (6 cfu)
a) Merry E. Wiesner-Hanks, Le donne nell'Europa moderna. Nuova edizione ampliata, Torino, Einaudi, 2017
b) Xenia von Tippelskirch, Sotto controllo. Letture femminili in Italia nella prima età moderna, Roma, Viella
Teaching methods
The students will undertake short writing assignments – responding to the readings or analyzing particular archival sources - to develop their expository and analytic skills.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral by examination and during the lessons
Students are required to attend seminars, to participate in class activities, to complete assigned tasks, and to make class presentations
Other information
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