30099 - History of Europe in the Modern Age (LM)

Learning outcomes

Students acquire in-depth knowledge of historical events in the modern age in Europe. Within this specific historiographic context, they gain methodological competence and the ability to draw up a personal research programme.

Course contents

The course intends to illustrate the main historiographic trends concerning the theme of monarchies in Europe, of their concrete execise of government and of the political and social role carried out by European aristocracy. Students develop a capacity to compare and evaluate the most recent interpretations proposed in relationship to these themes, besides being encouraged to seek further information for themselves.

Readings/Bibliography

In order to pass the exam, 4 texts must be read from a critical point of view: two from section a) and two from section    

Section a)

Either: E. Hinrichs, Alle origini dell'età moderna, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2005 (first Italian edition,. 1984), or: H. Kamen, L'Europa dal 1500 al 1700, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2000 (first Ital. edition,. 1987)

The work must be integrated by P. Prodi's book, La storia moderna, Bologna, il Mulino, 2005

Section b)

Two works from the following list: 

J. Bossy, Dalla comunità all'individuo. Storia sociale dei sacramenti nell'Europa moderna, Torino, Einaudi, 1998

J. Dewald, La nobiltà europea in età moderna, Torino, Einaudi, 2001

N. Elias, La società di corte, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1996

B. Geremek, La pietà e la forca. Storia della miseria e della carità in Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2003 (prima ed. it. 1986)

J. Goody, La famiglia nella storia europea,  Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2000

U. Im Hof, L'Europa dell'Illuminismo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1993

R. Koselleck, Critica illuministica e crisi della società borghese, Bologna, il Mulino, 1972

J.P. Labatut, Le nobiltà europee. Dal XV al XVIII secolo, Bologna, il Mulino, 1999

A. Pagden, Signori del mondo. Ideologie dell'Impero in Spagna, Gran Bretagna e Francia 1500-1800, Bologna, il Mulino, 2008

P. Prodi, Il sacramento del potere. Il giuramento politico nella storia costituzionale dell'Occidente, Bologna, il Mulino, 1992

H. Schulze, Aquile e leoni. Stato e nazione in Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2004 (prima ed. it. 1995)

M.A. Visceglia, a cura di, Le radici storiche dell'Europa. L'età moderna, Roma, Viella, 2007

P.G. Wallace, La lunga età della Riforma, Bologna, il Mulino, 2006

Note: Those students who enrolled before the latest changes in the course of studies, and who are therefore required to obtain only 3 credits, must analyse 3 texts, two from section a) and one from section b).

Those students who have so far not taken the Modern History exam in the course of their studies must agree on an individual programme with the lecturer.

Any choice of texts different from those indicated above, or any variation they wish to introduce into the programme, must be decided together with the teacher.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars on the interpretation of texts.

Assessment methods

An oral exam.

Teaching tools

Photocopies

Office hours

See the website of Carla Penuti