Early modern-age society (16th-18th centuries) and its cultural characteristics. In the course, tools will be provided to know its forms, explain its dynamics and decipher its meanings
Aim of the course is to provide the student with the basic knowledge for the study of the history of social dynamics and cultural processes of the modern age in Europe, considered as a crucial period of historical evolution from ancient to contemporary age, analyzing its persistence factors, development and change. In particular, some issues relating to the ancient regime society and its manifestations in the context of learned and popular culture will be examined.
The objectives of the course are mainly twofold:
At the end of the course the student
- will know how to use the most important tools for understanding historical processes in their social and cultural dimensions;
- will know how to interpret the links between institutional development, cultural development and social developments in the modern and early contemporary ages;
- will know how to interpret contemporary society in the light of the social, cultural, economic, political-institutional changes of previous centuries;
- will be familiar with the main forms of resistance to power that developed in the modern age and thus be able to better interpret the phenomena of social resistance in the contemporary age.
A significant part of the course will be conducted using Game-Based Learning (GBL) methodologies, as described in the section on "teaching methods." Students' participation in the proposed activities will result in the acquisition of open badges related to the following transversal skills, depending on the individual level of commitment: functional literacy, personal skills, social skills, learning to learn, project creation, project management.
For attending students, knowledge of these topics will be acquired through activities based on Game-Based Learning (GBL) methodologies. For non-attending students, knowledge will be acquired through the study of recommended texts (see Texts/Bibliography).
General knowledge of early modern history
Lessons will take place in person.
During the course, non-traditional teaching methods will be tested, with particular use of GBL experiences. Attending students will be offered an activity (individual and group) of writing a game (boardgame or role-playing game) set in the modern age. The final objective of this activity is the production of a playable prototype.
For this activity, the student is required to constantly attend and participate in the lessons, which will be carried out in laboratory mode.
Active participation of students in the project will earn them Open Badges related to specific soft skills, either basic (B) or advanced (A), depending on the level of individual or group participation:
Functional Literacy A, Functional Literacy B; Personal Skills A, Personal Skills B; Social Skills A, Social Skills B; Learning to Learn A, Learning to Learn B; Project Creation A, Project Creation B; Project Management B.
Attempts to define social history
Social and cultural changes between the Middle Ages and the Ancien Régime
Scholarly and popular culture
The birth of the modern state
Revolts and revolutions (15th-18th centuries)
Some forms of resistance against power (cultural, political, religious): - The situation of women: Boccaccio, Chaucester, Christine de Pizan, Agrippa of Nettesheim. Witch-hunting and witchcraft. - The 'peasants' war. - Banditism and brigandage.
Attending students prepare the exam on the topics covered during the lectures and complete the preparation on one book chosen among those indicated here.
Non-attending students prepare the exam on four books chosen among those indicated here.
C. Pancino, Storia sociale. Metodi, esempi, strumenti, Marsilio, Padova 2003
R. Repetti, Alle origini dei diritti dell'uomo. Cultura della dignità e dei diritti tra XV e XVI secolo, Genova, Ecig, 2010
R. Repetti, La nuova spiritualità dell'età moderna, Genova, Ecig, 2021, IV ed.
G. Romagnani, La società d'antico regime (XVI-XVIII sec.). Temi e problemi, Carocci, Roma 2010
C.M. Cipolla, Contro un nemico invisibile. Epidemie e strutture sanitarie nell'Italia del Rinascimento, Il Mulino, Bologna 2007
C. Ginzburg, I Benandanti, Adelphi, Milano, 2020
C. Ginzburg, Storia notturna. Una decifrazione del sabba, Adelphi, Milano, 2017
E. J. Hobsbawm, I banditi. Il banditismo sociale nell'età moderna, Einaudi, Torino 2002
Ricevimento: Tuesdays from 14 to 17 (V floor of the central tower ex Albergo dei Poveri), before or after the lessons, by appointment or in telematic mode on Microsoft Teams platform (code 6e2etdl)
RENZO REPETTI (President)
LUCA LO BASSO
EMILIANO BERI (Substitute)
PAOLO CALCAGNO (Substitute)
2025 February, 21
The final exam takes place in oral form and in italian language. It consists of an interview between the teacher and the student, lasting about 20 minutes. For attending students, most of the interview will focus on the topics covered in class and in the recommended texts. For non-attending students, the interview will focus on the topics of the texts indicated in the program.
During the final exam, the candidate is required to demonstrate a good preparation on the adopted texts and, if attending, on the topics covered in class. This preparation is assessed through a discussion with the examiner.
In principle, the grade will take into account the following ranges:
evaluation of the notional aspects: up to 10/30; evaluation of elaboration skills: up to 15/30;
evaluation of communication skills: up to 5/30
Disabled students or students with dsa are invited to contact the teacher by e-mail, copying the dsa sector (dsa@segreterie.unige.it) or the disability sector (disabili@segreterie.unige.it) and the contact teacher, Prof. Federica Petraccia (maria.federica.petraccia@lettere.unige.it).
