OVERVIEW

The course aims to explore key moments, themes, and issues related to the history of the Mediterranean in the early modern period, with particular attention to historiographical approaches and the sources used by historians. It includes a specific focus on the history of the city and port of Genoa, one of the cornerstones of the early modern Mediterranean trade network

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to introduce students to studies on the Mediterranean as a space characterised by exchanges, clashes and hybridisations, where the mechanisms of circulation (of people, goods, vessels) are intertwined with those of control (military, fiscal, sanitary). The lectures will have a seminar character, and there will be in-depth studies of the sources and specific bibliographies. Special attention will be paid to the centuries of the modern age, and to the relationship that the Mediterranean builds with other parts of the world, in a perspective of global history.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching objectives are threefold:

1) to acquaint students with the history that characterised the Mediterranean space in the modern age, making them understand the importance of this scenario for European and world history in the 15th-19th centuries.

2) to make them reflect on the idea of unity/multiplicity, and on the concepts of frontier and hybridisation, showing the Mediterranean as a set of 'seas', where at times frontiers are manned and controlled, but at the same time also as a fluid space where a common culture is created from exchanges and contaminations

3) to teach the historiographical traditions related to the history of the Mediterranean in the modern age and at the same time to introduce the types and uses of primary sources used by researchers

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of European and world history between the 15th and 19th centuries

TEACHING METHODS

Attendance, although not mandatory, is recommended.

For the class schedule, please refer to the portal: https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti//index.php?_lang=en

The lessons will include PowerPoint presentations.

A number of sessions will take place at the State Archives, allowing students to become familiar with primary sources concerning the history of the Republic of Genoa

The lecturer does not use distance learning tools, except in cases of weather alerts or when public transport strikes prevent students from reaching the university as usual

The instructor does not provide distance-learning tools, except in cases of weather alerts or when public transport strikes prevent students from regularly reaching the university.

For non-attending students who expressly request it, the instructor will activate a Teams channel where recorded lectures will be made available. This mode of access to teaching activities does not entitle students to take the exam under the syllabus for attending students.

Students with disabilities and students with DSA are reminded that in order to request adaptations for examinations they must first enter their certification on the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the ‘Students’ section. The documentation will be checked by the University's Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and DSA Sector (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111).
Subsequently, at least 7 days before the date of the exam, an e-mail must be sent to the lecturer, indicating both the School's Contact Person for the inclusion of students with disabilities and with DSA (Prof. Elisabetta Colagrossi: elisabetta.colagrossi@unige.it) and the Sector indicated above. In the e-mail it is necessary to specify: the name of the lesson; the date of the roll call; the student's surname, first name and matriculation number; the compensatory and dispensatory measures considered functional; and required.  The contact person will confirm to the teacher that the applicant has the right to request adaptations during the exam and that these adaptations must be agreed upon with the teacher, who will respond by communicating whether it is possible to use the requested adaptations (in particular, concept maps, which must be much more concise than the maps used for study) 

For further information regarding the request for services and adaptations visit the web page: https://unige.it/en/disabilita-dsa/modulistica

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Programme for students using the teaching for 6 cfu

Moments, themes, problems of Mediterranean history between the 15th and 19th centuries

Programme for students using the teaching for 9 cfu

Moments, themes, problems of Mediterranean history between the 15th and 19th centuries

The history of the Republic of Genoa in the context of early modern Mediterranean dynamics

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for students taking the course for 6 ECTS

Attending students may prepare the exam using the course materials (personal notes and the instructor’s PowerPoint slides).
Non-attending students (as well as attending students who wish to supplement their preparation) are required to study:

• F. Canale Cama, D. Casanova, R.M. Delli Quadri, Storia del Mediterraneo moderno e contemporaneo, Guida editori, chapters I–VI (pp. 11–236).

Alternatively, in order to obtain 6 ECTS, students may prepare:

• L. Mascilli Migliorini, L’età moderna. Una storia globale, Laterza (chapters 3, 7, and 11),
  plus

• P. Calcagno, La Repubblica di Genova, il Mulino (forthcoming, late April 2026).

Bibliography for students taking the course for 9 ECTS

First module
Attending students may prepare the exam using the course materials (personal notes and the instructor’s PowerPoint slides).
Non-attending students (as well as attending students who wish to supplement their preparation) are required to study:

• F. Canale Cama, D. Casanova, R.M. Delli Quadri, Storia del Mediterraneo moderno e contemporaneo, Guida editori, chapters I–VI (pp. 11–236).

Second module
Attending students are required to study:

• P. Calcagno, La Repubblica di Genova, il Mulino (forthcoming, late April 2026).

In addition to the book, attending students must complete an in-depth study (to be presented orally) on one of the topics or periods addressed during the lectures on the Republic of Genoa, based on the bibliography suggested by the instructor.

Non-attending students, in addition to studying the manual by F. Canale Cama, D. Casanova, and R.M. Delli Quadri and the instructor’s book forthcoming in late April 2026, must agree with the instructor on two additional supplementary readings related to the history of the Republic of Genoa.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

PAOLO CALCAGNO (President)

LUCA LO BASSO

EMILIANO BERI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 9, 2026

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will be oral for all students, but with a distinction between attending and non-attending students.
Attending students will be examined on the content covered in class and, with regard to the second module (history of the Republic of Genoa), may choose to present a topic they have decided to explore in greater depth.
Non-attending students will be examined on the various texts assigned to them.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

In the examination, which will take place orally, the candidate will be asked to illustrate the topics critically, in a correct and articulate manner and using appropriate language; the ability to establish meaningful links between the various topics covered and addressed during the lectures (frequent attendees) or between the various topics of the specially assigned texts (non-attenders) will also be tested

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

There is no further information, but the professor is always available via e-mail (paolo.calcagno@unige.it).