HISTORY OF MODERN EUROPE

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

Single discipline educational activity

Course Sheet

Course code:

EUR001

Academic Year of enrolment:

2023

Year of supply:

2023/2024

Type of Course:

Characterising

Degree:

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

Disciplinary Sector:

MODERN HISTORY

Location:

CHIETI

Credits:

Programme Year:

Professor and Collaborators:

MROZEK ELISZEZYNSKI GIUSEPPE

Cycle:

Second semester

Hours of classroom activity:

Individual study hours:

108

Prerequisites:

Knowledge of the main outlines of the general history of the modern age based on the textbook indicated for the corresponding examination of the three-year course of study is assumed

Objectives

In the context of the educational objectives of the Master's Degree Course, the course aims to contribute in the various aspects of
Knowledge and understanding: to establish connections between political, religious, economic, social, cultural history; to examine the various historiographical currents on the above themes; to activate the use to different sources (biographies, normative texts, charters).
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding: develop the application of knowledge in a comprehensive way, with critical analysis of events contextualizing them within complex and multidisciplinary themes and giving them an accomplished organization through individual work on texts to be discussed in class seminars.
Autonomy of judgment: fostering a critical and autonomous analytical approach to sources and texts related to the course topic.
Communication skills: developing ownership of specific language for oral and written communication of acquired knowledge and skills.
Learning skills: preparation for the attainment of the ability to independently develop a method of study and historiographical analysis that is up to the standard of higher education (PhDs) and access to training paths for teaching in schools.

Contents

TITLE:
EUROPEAN ARISTOCRACIES IN THE EARLY MODERN PERIOD

The course aims to analyse the historical evolution and the role played by the aristocracy in the history of Europe in the Early Modern Age. Was it a cohesive social group, united in the defence of its powers and privileges, or was it something more? In the course of the Early Modern Age, was its power really progressively annulled, as historiography has long maintained, being reabsorbed by the authority of 'absolute' sovereigns and 'modern' states? The course aims to show, by alternating history and historiography, how the role played by the European aristocracies was much more complex than has long been thought. In particular, the political role will be emphasised, i.e. the ability of the nobility to take concrete and conscious political action, supporting kings and their ministers or, conversely, opposing their rule, peacefully or, at times, through conspiracies, plots and revolutions.

Extended Syllabus

In the course of the lectures, both the ways in which the European aristocracies have defined and represented themselves over the centuries and the ways in which historiography has analysed their characteristics and aims will be retraced. Through the analysis of some case studies linked to specific moments in European history of the modern age, we will focus in particular on the political role played by the aristocratic elites, within courts, in cities and fiefdoms, in Parliaments and also in moments of great tension and sudden change, such as conspiracies, coups d'état and revolutions.

Recommended Bibliography

Preparation for the examination is to be carried out on THREE books.
FREQUENT ATTENDANTS can do a written paper (on a topic to be agreed with the lecturer and presented orally in class) and bring only TWO texts to the exam.

General reference texts, compulsory:
1) J. Dewald, La nobiltà europea in età moderna, Torino, Einaudi, 2001.
2) G. Mrozek Eliszezynski, Nobili inquieti. La lotta politica nel regno di Napoli al tempo dei ministri favoriti, Roma, Viella, 2023.

Group B (monographs), one book of your choice from the following:
- M. Berengo, Nobili e mercanti nella Lucca del Cinquecento, qualsiasi edizione.
- C. Donati, L’idea di nobiltà in Italia
(secc. XIV-XVIII), Roma-Bari 1988.
- G. Sodano, Da baroni del Regno a Grandi di Spagna. Gli Acquaviva d'Atri: vita aristocratica e ambizioni politiche (secoli XV-XVIII), Napoli, Guida, 2012.
- F. D'Avenia, Giannettino Doria. Cardinale della Corona spagnola (1573-1642), Roma, Viella, 2021.
- I Barberini e l'Europa, a cura di P. Tusor e A. Boccolini, Viterbo, Settecittà, 2022.

Teaching Methods

Lectures and seminar-style lectures (with students presenting short "papers" or “tesina”) with possible participation of experts

Evaluation methods

Verification of learning:

The final test consists of an oral examination on the course content. Knowledge of the content and bibliography provided by the course, quality of oral expression, and critical and methodological skills will be evaluated. For those who have opted for the writing and presentation of the "paper, (tesina)" the same will be included in the evaluation. The score ranges from 1 to 30 with honors, according to the following: 1-17 inadequate, 18-21 sufficient, 22-24 fair, 25-27 good, 28-29 very good, 30-30 with distinction excellent

Contacts/More Information

The course takes place in the second semester
For exam preparation purposes, knowledge of the topics covered in the course lectures is also very useful. Grant materials may be provided during the course. For frequent attendees only (i.e., students who have taken the course continuously and not occasionally), a paper on a monographic volume (list will be provided during the course) is scheduled to be written and presented in the classroom, allowing only one of the two volumes of choice to be taken in the exam. For NON-attenders, there is NO textbook addition.

Università degli Studi
"G. d'Annunzio"

Chieti - Pescara

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