The course Elements and Sources of Early Modern History aims to give students an overview of the main themes and issues related to the Ancien Régime period (16th–18th centuries). It also introduces the working methods of historians and the development of historical writing (historiography), especially as the discipline became more professional over time
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).
The course has two main objectives:
to understand the structural features of Ancien Régime society, including its various spheres and related issues;
to become familiar with historiographical terminology and with the historian’s essential tools — namely, primary and secondary sources.
Basic textbook knowledge of the early modern period (at high school level)
Lectures will be delivered in a traditional classroom format, but will remain open to students’ questions and interests in order to explore key themes and issues. Seminars on sources and historiography will focus on explaining the historian’s working methods and how historical knowledge is constructed.
The first part of the course, on themes in early modern history, will be taught by Prof. Luca Lo Basso. The second part, focused on historical sources, will be taught by Prof. Paolo Calcagno.
The last four lessons of the course, in early December, will be taught by Dr. Giorgio Toso. He will offer additional insights on specific topics of the modern age
The lecturers do not use distance learning tools, except in cases of weather alerts or when public transport strikes prevent students from reaching the university as usual
Reminder for Students with Disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)
Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (DSA in Italian) are reminded that, in order to request exam accommodations, they must first upload their official documentation via the University website at servizionline.unige.it, under the "Studenti" section. The documentation will be reviewed and validated by the University's Office for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and SLD (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111).
After this step, and at least 7 days before the exam date, students must send an email to the course instructor, copying (cc) both:
the School’s Inclusion Representative, Prof. Elisabetta Colagrossi (elisabetta.colagrossi@unige.it), and
the University Inclusion Office (as indicated above).
The email must include:
the name of the course
the exam date
the student’s full name and student ID number
the requested compensatory tools and dispensatory measures, specifying those considered useful and appropriate.
The Inclusion Representative will confirm to the instructor that the student is eligible to request accommodations and that such adjustments must be agreed upon with the instructor. The instructor will then respond to confirm whether the requested accommodations can be implemented. This is particularly relevant for concept maps, which—if allowed—must be significantly more concise than those used during study preparation.
For further information regarding the request for services and adaptations visit the web page: https://unige.it/en/disabilita-dsa/modulistica
Introduction to Early Modern History: themes, issues, sources, and historiography
The first part of the course will focus on the structural elements of the Ancien Régime, including population, society, family, economy, politics, religion, military institutions, culture, and education.
The second part of the course will concentrate on the analysis of sources—primarily archival, but not exclusively—that early modern historians use to conduct their research on the topics introduced and explored in the first part.
For Attending Students:
On early modern history topics: G. P. Romagnani, La società di antico regime (XVI–XVIII secolo). Temi e problemi storiografici, Carocci, Rome
On sources: Lecture notes taken in class
FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS:
G. P. Romagnani, La società di antico regime (XVI–XVIII secolo). Temi e problemi storiografici, Carocci, Rome.
Lecture notes from the second part of the course (Early Modern sources), focusing on one type of source among those covered in class.
FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:
Nel laboratorio della storia. Una guida alle fonti dell'età moderna, Carocci, Rome (two chapters of your choice from Part Two).
Ricevimento: The lecturer is available on Monday afternoons, from 3:00 pm to 5:30 pm, by appointment, in his/her office, Via Balbi 2, third floor
Ricevimento: Monday from 15,30 to 17,30. The teacher's studio is located in Albergo dei Poveri.
PAOLO CALCAGNO (President)
EMILIANO BERI
LUCA LO BASSO (President Substitute)
September 15, 2025
The timetable for this course is available here: EasyAcademy
Oral exam: one or two questions on the general part (Romagnani), and one or two questions on the section concerning the sources (lecture notes for attending students; the volume edited by M. P. Paoli for non-attending students). For attending students, using arguments, notes, and materials collected during the lessons—along with knowledge of the texts listed in the bibliography—will be considered an additional merit.
The exam will be oral and will focus on one or more specific topics drawn from the assigned texts. The candidate will be asked to present these topics with critical insight, accuracy, and clarity, using appropriate academic language. Additionally, for attending students, their ability to make meaningful connections with other themes discussed in the same text or during lectures will also be assessed.
There is no additional information. However, the professors are available during office hours and can be contacted at any time via email. Dr. Ferrando can be reached at the following address: francesca.ferrando@univr.it
