CODE 65327 ACADEMIC YEAR 2026/2027 CREDITS 9 cfu anno 2 STORIA 11867 (L-42 R) - GENOVA SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINARY SECTOR M-STO/02 TEACHING LOCATION GENOVA SEMESTER 2° Semester OVERVIEW The “Elements and Sources of Early Modern History” course aims to provide students with an overview of the main themes and issues relating to the early modern period (16th–18th centuries), as well as an introduction to the historian’s working methods and to the development of historiography from the gradual professionalisation of the discipline onwards. AIMS AND CONTENT LEARNING OUTCOMES The course aims to introduce the student to the study of modern history: on the one hand by introducing and outlining in a preliminary way the concepts, themes and problems of the centuries of modernity; on the other hand by providing guidance for the understanding of the historian's work and for the knowledge of the tools he used (sources, methodology, historiography). AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES The course has two main learning objectives: to understand the structural features of Ancien Régime society, across its various fields and related issues; to become familiar with historiographical terminology and with the historian’s craft, namely primary and secondary sources. PREREQUISITES Textbook-level knowledge of the Early Modern period (at upper secondary school level). TEACHING METHODS Lectures will be delivered in person and will be open to students’ questions and curiosity, in order to develop and discuss the main themes and issues; seminars on sources and historiography will illustrate the historian’s methods and the construction of historiographical knowledge. The first part of the course, focusing on Early Modern History, will be taught by Prof. Paolo Calcagno. The second part of the course, focusing on sources, will be taught by another lecturer, whose name will be communicated at a later stage. In addition, two thematic in-depth modules on slavery and on women’s work in the early modern period will be delivered by Dr. Samuele Virga and Dr. Carolina De Maestri, who hold teaching support positions (10 hours each). The teaching staff do not use distance learning tools, except in cases of weather alerts or when public transport strikes prevent students from reaching the university. Non-attending students who request it will be allowed, at the end of the course, to access recorded lectures. Students with disabilities or with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD/DSA) are reminded that, in order to request exam accommodations, they must first upload their certification on the University website at servizionline.unige.it under the “Students” section. The documentation will be verified by the University Service for Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111). Subsequently, at least 7 days before the exam date, students must send an email to the course instructor, copying both the School Inclusion Coordinator for Students with Disabilities and SLD (Prof. Elisabetta Colagrossi: elisabetta.colagrossi@unige.it) and the above-mentioned University Service. The email must specify: the course title; the exam date; the student’s surname, name, and matriculation number; and the requested compensatory tools and dispensatory measures. The Coordinator will confirm to the instructor that the applicant is entitled to request accommodations in the exam and that such accommodations must be agreed with the instructor, who will respond indicating whether the requested measures can be granted (in particular concept maps, which must be significantly more concise than those used for study purposes). For further information regarding the request for services and accommodations, please consult the website: https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/modulistica SYLLABUS/CONTENT Introduction to Early Modern History: Themes, Problems, Sources, and Historiography The first part of the course focuses on the structural features of the Ancien Régime (population, society, family, economy, politics, religion, military institutions, culture, and education). The second part of the course is devoted to the analysis of sources (mainly archival, but not exclusively) used by early modern historians to conduct research on the topics introduced and examined in the first part. Special attention will be given to sources for the study of marginal groups in Ancien Régime society, including enslaved people and women. RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY Programme for 9 ECTS credits Attending students: For the Early Modern History topics, the reference text is G. P. Romagnani, La società di antico regime (XVI–XVIII secolo). Temi e problemi storiografici, Carocci, Rome. The course has a seminar-based structure; therefore, for the sources component, the bibliography consists of the lecture notes taken in class. Non-attending students: For the Early Modern History topics, the reference text is G. P. Romagnani, La società di antico regime (XVI–XVIII secolo). Temi e problemi storiografici, Carocci, Rome. For the sources component: Nel laboratorio della storia. Una guida alle fonti dell’età moderna, Carocci, Rome (Part I and Part II only). Programme for 6 ECTS credits Attending students: G. P. Romagnani, La società di antico regime (XVI–XVIII secolo). Temi e problemi storiografici, Carocci, Rome. The course has a seminar-based structure; therefore, for the sources component, the bibliography consists of the lecture notes taken in class. Students taking only 6 ECTS will be allowed to choose a single thematic area among those covered in the second part of the course (pauperism, slavery, women’s work). Non-attending students: G. P. Romagnani, La società di antico regime (XVI–XVIII secolo). Temi e problemi storiografici, Carocci, Rome. Nel laboratorio della storia. Una guida alle fonti dell’età moderna, Carocci, Rome (two chapters of choice from Part II). TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD PAOLO CALCAGNO Ricevimento: The instructor holds office hours in their office at Via Balbi 2 […]. Please contact the instructor by email to arrange a specific appointment time. LESSONS LESSONS START February 2027 Class schedule The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy EXAMS EXAM DESCRIPTION Oral exam format: one or two questions on the general part (Romagnani), and one or two questions on the sources component (lecture notes for attending students; the volume edited by M.P. Paoli for non-attending students). For attending students, the use of arguments, lecture notes, and materials collected during classes, in addition to knowledge of the texts included in the syllabus, will be considered a merit. ASSESSMENT METHODS The exam, which will be conducted orally, will consist of one or more specific topics drawn from the texts listed in the syllabus. Students will be asked to present these topics in a critical, accurate, and well-structured manner, using appropriate academic language. Their ability to establish meaningful connections with other themes covered in the same text or discussed during lectures (for attending students) will also be assessed. FURTHER INFORMATION There is no additional information. The course instructor is available during office hours and can be contacted at any time via email.
