History and Images in Early Modern History

Academic Year 2022/2023 - Teacher: Lina SCALISI

Expected Learning Outcomes

To provide adequate historical knowledge of the modern age, especially with regards to the revolutions. Another goal is to become able to recognize the complexity of any historiographic construction. According to the Dublin descriptors, students, at the end of the course,will demonstrate:

1) knowledge and understanding skills such as to reinforce those achieved in the first cycle; ability to elaborate and / or apply original ideas, in a research context.

2) ability to apply knowledge and understanding and ability to solve problems to new or unfamiliar issues, inserted in broader (or interdisciplinary) contexts connected to one's field of study;

3) ability to integrate knowledge and to formulate judgments on the basis of information that is not necessarily complete;

4) ability to communicate one's knowledge clearly and unambiguously to specialist and non-specialist interlocutors.

5) ability to carry out research autonomously.

Course Structure

A. The discovery of the globalized World (3CFU)

The first module will explore the concepts of a period only on the surface governed by harmony. Through the support of historical sources, the students will explore the political and cultural tensions of the age, mainly caused by the discovery of the New World and the relationship with new civilizations, to understand the characteristics of the globalized world.

B. The revolutions in Early modern age (3 CFU)

The second one will deepen some watershed moments of early modern age, in particular referred to the revolutions, through an historical path, linked to the representations of the revolutions. They will lead to an explanation of this methodological choice, but also to the understanding of how powerful the communication through visual arts is and how deep is

their tie to politics and society.

Required Prerequisites

Good knowledge of Early Modern and Contemporary History; inquisitive mind able to fruitfully contribute to analysis and debates with other students.

Attendance of Lessons

Regular attendance of the course is recommended in order to actively participate in interaction activities with the teacher and in collegial work with colleagues

Detailed Course Content

A The discovery of the globalized World (3CFU)

The first module will explore the concepts of a period only on the surface governed by harmony. Through the support of historical sources, the students will explore the political and cultural tensions of the age, mainly caused by the discovery of the New World and the relationship with new civilizations, to understand the characteristics of the globalized world.

B. The revolutions in Early modern age (3 CFU)

The second one will deepen some watershed moments of early modern age, in particular referred to the revolutions, through an historical path, linked to the representations of the revolutions. They will lead to an explanation of this methodological choice, but also to the understanding of how powerful the communication through visual arts is and how deep is

their tie to politics and society.

Textbook Information

Modulo A. The discovery of the globalized world.


S. Gruzinsky, Abbiamo ancora bisogno della storia? il senso del passato nel mondo globalizzato, Cortina Raffaello Editore, Milano, 2016, pp. 151.


Modulo B. The revolutions in Early modern age.


De Francesco, Una storia globale delle storie rivoluzionarie, Cortina Raffaello Editore, Milano, 2022, pp. 272.

F. Benigno, Rivoluzioni. Tra storia e storiografia, Officina libraria, Roma,

2021, pp. 256.


Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied. For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.


AuthorTitlePublisherYearISBN
S. GruzinskyAbbiamo ancora bisogno della storia? il senso del passatonel mondo globalizzato,Cortina Raffaello Editore, Milano2016
A. De FrancescoUna storia globale delle storie rivoluzionarieCortina Raffaello Editore, Milano2022
F. BenignoRivoluzioni. Tra storia e storiografiaOfficina libraria. Roma2021

Course Planning

 SubjectsText References
1The discovery of the globalized World (3CFU)The first module will explore the concepts of a period only on the surfacegoverned by harmony. Through the support of historical sources, thestudents will explore the political and cultural tensions of the age, mainlycaused by the discovery of the New World and the relationship with newcivilizations, to understand the characteristics of the globalized world.S. Gruzinsky, Abbiamo ancora bisogno della storia ? il senso del passatonel mondo globalizzato, Cortina Raffaello Editore, Milano, 2016, pp. 151.
2B. The revolutions in Early modern age (3 CFU)The second one will deepen some watershed moments of early modern age, in particular referred to the revolutions, through an historical path, linked to the representations of the revolutions. They will lead to an explanation of this methodological choice, but also to the understanding ofhow powerful the communication through visual arts is and how deep is their tie to politics and society.A.De Francesco, Una storia globale delle storie rivoluzionarie. CortinaRaffaello Editore, Milano, 2022, pp. 272.F. Benigno, Rivoluzioni. Tra storia e storiografia, Officina libraria, Roma,2021, pp. 256.
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