MODERN HISTORY OF THE AMERICAS

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

MM5007

Academic Year of enrolment:

2020

Year of supply:

2020/2021

Type of Course:

Characterising

Degree:

Course of 2nd Cycle Degree in PHILOLOGY, LINGUISTICS AND LITERARY TRADITIONS

Disciplinary Sector:

MODERN HISTORY

Language:

Italian

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

PIZZORUSSO Giovanni

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

108

Prerequisites:

We assume the knowledge of the main lines of the general history of the modern age based on the manual indicated for the corresponding examination of the Laurea triennale course.

Objectives

In the context of the educational objectives of the Master's Degree Course in Philology, Linguistics and Performing Arts Languages, the course of History of the Americas in the Modern Age aims to contribute in the various aspects of

knowledge and understanding:
to develop an in-depth knowledge of developments in the history of European expansion in the global dimension of the modern age (proto-globalization) and in particular of the building of empires in the Americas in the 16th century with the themes of wide interest of the encounter/clash with "other" non-European civilizations; with the theme of "just" war and the export from Europe of European Christian culture and religion, contextualizing these phenomena in the general understanding of European and global history; establishing connections between political, religious, economic, social and cultural history; examining the various historiographical currents on the above themes; activating the use of different sources (biographies, normative texts, correspondence).

ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
developing the application of knowledge in a comprehensive way, with the critical analysis of events contextualizing them within complex and multidisciplinary themes and giving them an organization accomplished through individual work on texts also in foreign languages (English, Spanish) to be discussed in seminars in the classroom

autonomy of judgment:
fostering a critical and autonomous analytical approach to the sources and texts of historiography on European expansion and global history, with a comparative look at modern history in general

communication skills:
develop the property of a specific language for oral and written communication of the knowledge and skills acquired

learning ability: preparation for the achievement of the ability to independently develop a method of study and historiographic analysis at the level of higher education courses (PhD) and access to training courses for teaching in school

Contents

Title: From myths to empires: discovery and conquest of the Atlantic and the American New World (6 CFU)

The course aims to follow the development of the discovery and knowledge of the Western Hemisphere through the progressive integration and replacement of ancient and medieval myths about the West with knowledge of the lands of the New World following the Conquest. In addition to the analysis of the phases of the discovery and colonization with the founding of the Spanish and Portuguese empires, religious (development of the missions and organization of the Hispanic-American Church), demographic (effect of the arrival of the Europeans on the Indians), cultural (transmission of geographical and ethnographic knowledge about the New World in Europe) and economic factors (effects of the import of precious metals) will also be examined.

Extended Syllabus

The following topics will be covered in the course:
Knowledge of the world in the Middle Ages; the legacy of the classical world and the recovery in the Renaissance; Europe at the end of the Middle Ages; Spain and Portugal: the reasons for expansion; the Portuguese along Africa and Asia; the great discoveries, the progress of navigation; navigators and the transmission of geographical knowledge; the role of the Italians; the Conquest of Mexico and Peru; the texts on the Conquest; the Spanish Empire; the encomienda; the first evangelization of the Indians; the American Church; the demographic collapse of the Indians; the rights of Conquest; Las Casas and the defence of the Indians; the fight against idolatry; the resistance of the Indians; the role of the Jesuits (José de Acosta); the reductions in Paraguay; the effects of the import of precious metals into Europe; Portuguese Brazil; the Jesuits in Brazil; the beginning of the slave trade; descriptions of America in 16th century works.

Recommended Bibliography

The preparation should be carried out on THREE volumes according to the following criterion:
Mandatory as a general manual
Massimo Donattini, Dal Nuovo Mondo all’America. Scoperte geografiche e colonialismo (secoli XV-XVI), Roma, Carocci, last edition

TWO texts of your choice from the following:
Tzvetan Todorov, La conquista dell’America e il problema dell’”altro”, Torino, Einaudi, 2014
Massimo Livi Bacci, Conquista. La distruzione degli indios americani, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2009
Luca Baccelli, Bartolomé de Las Casas. La conquista senza fondamento, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2016
David Abulafia, La scoperta dell’umanità. Incontri atlantici all’epoca di Colombo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2010
Giuseppe Marcocci, Indios, cinesi, falsari. Le storie del mondo nel Rinascimento, Roma, Laterza, 2016

Other texts and materials may be indicated during the course of the lessons.

The use of a geographical and historical atlas is strongly recommended in order to have a clear location of events. Grant materials may be provided during the course. For those attending only (i.e. students who have followed the course continuously and not occasionally), it is planned to write and present in the classroom a thesis on a monographic volume (the list will be provided during the course) that allows you to bring to the examination only one of the two volumes of your choice. For NON-attendants there is no addition of texts but it is necessary to agree the exam with the professor

Methods of Provision

Conventional

Teaching Methods

Frontal and seminar lectures; possible seminars with experts

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The final assessment consists of an oral exam on the entire syllabus. The aim is to assess students’ skills and in particular, an understanding of the issues discussed during the course, an appropriate knowledge of the bibliography in the course programme, a correct command of the specific language as well as critical and methodological abilities will be evaluated. The grading scale goes from 1 to 30 with honours (cum laude): 1-17 fail, 18-21 sufficient, 22-24 fair, 25-27 good, 28-29 very good, 30-30 with honours (cum laude) excellent.

Contacts/More Information

The course takes place in the second semester
In order to prepare for the exam, knowledge of the topics covered in the lessons of the course is also very useful. We recommend the use of a good geographical or historical-geographical atlas for an exact location of events. Other materials can be provided during the course. For those who attend the course only (i.e. students who have followed the course continuously and not occasionally), it is foreseen the writing and presentation in the classroom of a thesis on a monographic volume (the list will be provided during the course) which allows to bring to the examination only one of the two volumes of your choice. For NON-attendants there is no addition of texts, but they must contact the professor at least by email: giovanni.pizzorusso@unich.it

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

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