OVERVIEW

The course Elements and Sources of Early Modern History aims to provide students with an overview of the main themes and issues related to the centuries of the ancien régime (16th–18th centuries), as well as an introduction to the working methods of the early modern historian and to the types of sources on which historical research is based.

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:

1. to understand the structural features of Ancien Régime society, across its various fields and related issues;
2. 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, open to students’ questions and interests, will be devoted to the presentation of the main themes and issues of the course; seminars on sources and historiography will be organised in order to explain historians’ working methods and the construction of historical knowledge.

The first part of the course, focusing on topics related to early modern history, will be taught by Prof. Paolo Calcagno.

The second part of the course, dedicated to historical sources, will be taught by another lecturer, whose name will be communicated at a later stage.

Finally, two thematic seminars will be held on slavery in the Mediterranean and on the history of women in the early modern period, respectively taught by Dr Samuele Virga and Dr Carolina De Maestri, who hold teaching support positions (for a total of 10 hours each).

The lecturers do not provide distance-learning tools, except in the event of weather warnings or when public transport strikes prevent students from regularly reaching the university. Non-attending students who explicitly request it will be granted access to recorded lectures at the end of the course.

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLDs) can find information on how to request services, compensatory tools, dispensatory measures, and specific support aids in the document available at the following link:
https://unige.it/disabilita-dsa/modulistica

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Introduction to Early Modern History: Themes, Problems, Sources, and Historiography.

The first part of the course will focus on the structural features of the ancien régime (periodization, population, society, family, economy, labour, politics, justice, taxation, poverty, religion, military institutions, culture, 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

9 ECTS programme

FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS:

For the topics related to early modern history, the reference textbook 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 section on historical sources, as well as for the two thematic seminars on slavery and the history of women, the examination bibliography consists of the notes taken during classes (the lecturers will provide PowerPoint presentations and suitable materials for exam preparation).

FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:

For the topics related to early modern history, the reference textbook is:

G. P. Romagnani, La società di antico regime (XVI-XVIII secolo). Temi e problemi storiografici, Carocci, Rome.

For the section on historical sources:

Nel laboratorio della storia. Una guida alle fonti dell’età moderna, Carocci, Rome (only Part One and Part Two).

For the seminar on Mediterranean slavery:

[reading to be specified]

For the seminar on the history of women:

[reading to be specified]

6 ECTS programme

FOR 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 section on historical sources, as well as for the two thematic seminars on slavery and the history of women, the examination bibliography consists of the notes taken during classes (the lecturers will provide PowerPoint presentations and suitable materials for exam preparation).

Since attending students are required to follow only 40 hours of classes, those who need to obtain only 6 ECTS credits may choose between two possible programmes:

• a programme including the section on historical themes (Calcagno) and the general section on historical sources (...);
• a programme including the section on historical themes (Calcagno) and the two thematic seminars on slavery and the history of women.

FOR 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 the second part, chosen by the student).

One essay of the student’s choice relating to one of the two thematic seminars (see the 9 ECTS programme section).

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2027

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination: one or two questions on the general section (Romagnani), and one or two questions on the section relating to historical sources (class notes and materials provided by the lecturers for attending students; the volume edited by M. P. Paoli and other specific bibliography for non-attending students).

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 further information available. The lecturers responsible for the course are available during office hours and can be contacted at any time by email.