Global intellectual history
A.A. 2024/2025
Obiettivi formativi
Global Intellectual History is a relatively new and broad area of study, without a precise definition. As a matter of fact, it explores the different ways in which the circulation of ideas has become global. The major risk in this field is either to compare what happened, simultaneously, in different and incommensurable cultural contexts or to look for connections that are only the outcome of our imagination and an abstract exercise to satisfy our curiosity.
This course avoids these methodological mistakes by employing a historicist approach. It looks at the history of ideas (Antiquity to the Contemporary Era) considering historiography as a specific form of political thought and political thought as an expression of political identity, generated at different social levels by historiography.
The course aims to offer, therefore, a historical panorama of the principal characteristics of the global history of historiography and the theoretical principles that have animated historiographical production and its global circulation.
This course avoids these methodological mistakes by employing a historicist approach. It looks at the history of ideas (Antiquity to the Contemporary Era) considering historiography as a specific form of political thought and political thought as an expression of political identity, generated at different social levels by historiography.
The course aims to offer, therefore, a historical panorama of the principal characteristics of the global history of historiography and the theoretical principles that have animated historiographical production and its global circulation.
Risultati apprendimento attesi
The course introduces students to global intellectual history, guiding them towards the knowledge of how to grasp the continuity and peculiarities of modern historical production compared to those of the past. Through the analysis of concrete examples, students will understand the problems and methods of contemporary historiographic reflection, and develop awareness, theory and their own personal historiographical style. At the end of the course, they will be able to critically read primary sources and scientific texts relating to the historical period under consideration and develop autonomous reflections. These skills will be acquired through direct and continuous dialogue with the professor in the classroom, through the analysis of proposed texts for individual study, and thanks to the presentation and joint discussion of mutually agreed-upon readings.
Periodo: Secondo semestre
Modalità di valutazione: Esame
Giudizio di valutazione: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Corso singolo
Questo insegnamento non può essere seguito come corso singolo. Puoi trovare gli insegnamenti disponibili consultando il catalogo corsi singoli.
Programma e organizzazione didattica
Edizione unica
Responsabile
Periodo
Secondo semestre
Programma
Course Title: Historiography as Political Thought
Part A: What is History? Practice and Theory
Part B: Forms of Intellectual History
Part C: Global History of Political Thought: Current Trends
Part A: What is History? Practice and Theory
Part B: Forms of Intellectual History
Part C: Global History of Political Thought: Current Trends
Prerequisiti
There are no specific requirements.
Metodi didattici
Teaching is delivered through frontal lectures aimed primarily at the acquisition of knowledge and competence in the specific language of the subject matter. Discussion with the teacher in the class-room is an integral part of the didactic method and aims at promoting a critical attitude and the capacity to apply the acquired competence and knowledge. The teaching can also be supplemented by didactic and multimedia material provided on the 'MyAriel' website.
Materiale di riferimento
Part A
- Daniel Woolf, A Concise History of History. Global Historiography from Antiquity to the Present (Cambridge University Press, 2019), selection.
Part B
- Annabel Brett, 'What is Intellectual History Now?', in What is History Now?, ed. D. Cannadine (Palgrave MacMillan, 2002), pp. 113-131.
- Knud Haakonssen and Richard Whatmore, 'Global possibilities in intellectual history: a note on practice', in Global Intellectual History, 2017, no. 1, pp. 18-29.
- Samuel Moyn and Andrew Sartori, 'Approaches to Global Intellectual History', in Global Intellectual History, edited by S. Moyn and A. Sartori (Columbia University Press, 2013), pp. 3-30.
- Richard Whatmore, What is Intellectual History? (Polity, 2015).
Part C
- David Armitage, 'The International Turn in Intellectual History', in D. Armitage, Foundations of Modern International Thought (Cambridge University Press, 2013), pp. 17-32.
- Adrian Blau, 'Textual Context in the History of Political Thought and Intellectual History', in History of European Ideas, 2019, no. 8, pp. 1191-1210.
- Davide Cadeddu, 'Trusting the Process: Current Fashions in History of Political Thought', in Scienza & Politica, 2023, no. 68, pp. 239-250; and 'Where is the History of Political Thought Going?', in Scienza & Politica, 2023, no. 68, pp. 251-301.
- Duncan Kelly, 'Intellectual History and the History of Political Thought', in A Companion to Intellectual History, ed. R. Whatmore and B. Young (Wiley-Blackwell, 2016), pp. 141-154.
- Daniel Woolf, A Concise History of History. Global Historiography from Antiquity to the Present (Cambridge University Press, 2019), selection.
Part B
- Annabel Brett, 'What is Intellectual History Now?', in What is History Now?, ed. D. Cannadine (Palgrave MacMillan, 2002), pp. 113-131.
- Knud Haakonssen and Richard Whatmore, 'Global possibilities in intellectual history: a note on practice', in Global Intellectual History, 2017, no. 1, pp. 18-29.
- Samuel Moyn and Andrew Sartori, 'Approaches to Global Intellectual History', in Global Intellectual History, edited by S. Moyn and A. Sartori (Columbia University Press, 2013), pp. 3-30.
- Richard Whatmore, What is Intellectual History? (Polity, 2015).
Part C
- David Armitage, 'The International Turn in Intellectual History', in D. Armitage, Foundations of Modern International Thought (Cambridge University Press, 2013), pp. 17-32.
- Adrian Blau, 'Textual Context in the History of Political Thought and Intellectual History', in History of European Ideas, 2019, no. 8, pp. 1191-1210.
- Davide Cadeddu, 'Trusting the Process: Current Fashions in History of Political Thought', in Scienza & Politica, 2023, no. 68, pp. 239-250; and 'Where is the History of Political Thought Going?', in Scienza & Politica, 2023, no. 68, pp. 251-301.
- Duncan Kelly, 'Intellectual History and the History of Political Thought', in A Companion to Intellectual History, ed. R. Whatmore and B. Young (Wiley-Blackwell, 2016), pp. 141-154.
Modalità di verifica dell’apprendimento e criteri di valutazione
- Method: Class participation (20%), Essay (40%, 2.000 words), Oral exam (40%).
- Type of examination and length of the exam: The essay has to be a critical synthesis of teaching units A and B with a length between 2,000 and 2,100 words. The oral exam lasts about 20 minutes and consists of a colloquium with questions and observations, through which the understanding of the program's content will be evaluated.
- Evaluation criteria: Knowledge of the principal characteristics of the history of historiography from antiquity to the present day and some of the theoretical principles that animate contemporary debates will be evaluated. In particular, the capacity of the student to understand theoretical continuity and conceptual particularity in global intellectual history, and to develop historiographical awareness and personal theory will be considered. During the oral exam, the professor will ask some questions in order to evaluate the level of the student's understanding of the topics delivered and their capacity for expression.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s.
The modalities of the exams for students with disabilities and/or ADS must be agreed upon by the professor in accordance with the appropriate office ('Ufficio disabili' and DSA).
- Type of examination and length of the exam: The essay has to be a critical synthesis of teaching units A and B with a length between 2,000 and 2,100 words. The oral exam lasts about 20 minutes and consists of a colloquium with questions and observations, through which the understanding of the program's content will be evaluated.
- Evaluation criteria: Knowledge of the principal characteristics of the history of historiography from antiquity to the present day and some of the theoretical principles that animate contemporary debates will be evaluated. In particular, the capacity of the student to understand theoretical continuity and conceptual particularity in global intellectual history, and to develop historiographical awareness and personal theory will be considered. During the oral exam, the professor will ask some questions in order to evaluate the level of the student's understanding of the topics delivered and their capacity for expression.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s.
The modalities of the exams for students with disabilities and/or ADS must be agreed upon by the professor in accordance with the appropriate office ('Ufficio disabili' and DSA).
Docente/i
Ricevimento:
Il ricevimento si svolge sia via Skype (davidcadeddu) sia in presenza, su appuntamento, nel seguente orario: lunedì, ore 16.00 - 19.00. Per un appuntamento, scrivere una email.
Skype: davidcadeddu | Studio: A20 - Dipartimento di Studi Storici