Lingua dell'insegnamento: English

Crediti e ore di lezione: 6 crediti - 40 ore

Settore scientifico disciplinare: M-STO/02

Docente:

Michael William Knapton mknapto@tin.it michael.knapton@uniud.it

Prerequisiti e propedeuticità

History: no other course or exam need precede this, but students should preferably possess at least superficial knowledge from secondary school of minimum elements of European history in the period c. 1450-1815.

English language skills: there is no formalized requirement, but students should have solid secondary school experience (or similar) of English, such as to allow good comprehension when reading and listening, and - hopefully - capacity to express themselves in speaking and writing.

Conoscenze e abilità da acquisire

After following the course, students should possess a clear understanding of  major themes of European history from the mid 15th century to c. 1815: the heritage of medieval Europe; Europe's relations with the wider world; its social and economic characteristics and dynamics; the profile of religion and churches; the main characteristics of European culture, "high" and "low"; its political system, the conduct of government and the outline of international relations; the state of Europe in around 1815.

Expected results of the course:

1) in a more curricular sense, students should significantly increase their knowledge and understanding of the subject in the terms just explained, through  the experience of classroom teaching, working together with the teacher on the study material. They should gain fuller awareness of the diversity of historical experience in Europe's past, of the specificity of time and place within Europe and its interaction with the constituent elements of social and political organization, economic activity, cultural and technological characteristics, etc. They should also succeed in avoiding a teleological vision of Europe's past, by understanding the actions and choices of past European societies within the conceptual framework peculiar to those societies. Moreover, in today's context of often-proclaimed European crisis or decline, they should acquire data and concepts useful in evaluating Europe's relationship with the experience of societies in other continents.

2) in a broader sense, of transferable and soft skills, students should develop the ability to engage dialectically with themes of historical analysis, comparing and contrasting, strengthening their critical sense and capacity for independent judgement. Moreover, the course is a useful opportunity to improve English language skills, especially oral and written comprehension. It is obviously especially suitable for non-Italian students.

Programma/Contenuti dell’insegnamento

General history of the early modern/modern age.

The course aims to identify the fundamental structures and dynamics of Europe and also its influence on the other continents in the early modern/modern age (about 1450–1789). It tackles these themes: society and economy; religion; culture; politics.

Attività di apprendimento e metodi didattici previsti

The course is conducted in English, at a level suited to average student knowledge. Teaching is closely linked to the Kümin textbook and students must obtain a copy as soon as possible. It is conducted via lectures (frontal teaching for all students together).

Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento

Course grading:

The exam is based on a three-hour written paper, with open questions in English and freedom of choice between English and Italian for the answers; students answering in Italian also have a brief oral exam.

Testi/Bibliografia

Initial bibliography:

The European World 1500–1800. An Introduction to Early Modern History, 2nd Edition. Edited by Beat Kümin. Routledge, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-415-62864-8.

Tesi di laurea

On topics concerning European history from the mid fifteenth to the early nineteenth century.

Note

1) There will also be an evening seminar as an alternative to ordinary frontal teaching (perhaps a useful option for students who work during the day, and certainly familiar as a teaching method to exchange students). Students who choose this must: attend the seminar regularly; read material in Kümin before each seminar, so as to discuss it together. They may choose between doing the exam in the ordinary way, or base their marks thus: (1) 10% of the total on presence at 70% minimum of seminars, with (active!) participation; (2) 90% of the total on writing three papers relating to the material discussed during seminars. Further information about the seminar is to be found in a freely accessible Word file, available via the University website, in the "Materiali didattici" section

2) Students intending to do the exam without attending class can only do so if they contact the teacher first (face to face).

3) Students from earlier years can do the exam provided they make contact before enrolling for the exam on Esse3.