History of Switzerland in the Modern Age (MA)
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course provides the broad outlines of Swiss history in the early-modern age and the tools necessary to understand the main aspects (political, economic, social and religious) of Swiss history between the 16th and 19th centuries.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the student will have acquired the knowledge of the political-institutional, socio-economic and cultural development of Swiss history in the early-modern age. They shall also be able to place the most representative events and figures in their chronological and geographical contexts. The student will be able to use language tools (language properties, correct specific lexicon) to express, in a clear and effective form, concepts of a political, institutional, economic, and religious nature; they will be able to read critically historiographical works and use the main tools, including digital tools, for the research and analysis of sources. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. The discussion around the proposed sources will be an essential moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Participation in meetings and seminars organized within the Department of Historical Studies will also be of great importance. Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: The Sixteenth Century: Switzerland as a Hub for Renaissance and Reformation
Module 1: Guidelines for a History of Switzerland
Module 2: Swiss Renaissance, European Renaissance
Module 3: Reforms and Counter-Reformation Accross the Alpine Area
Module 1: Guidelines for a History of Switzerland
Module 2: Swiss Renaissance, European Renaissance
Module 3: Reforms and Counter-Reformation Accross the Alpine Area
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the admission to the MA degree in historical science, though a sound knowledge of medieval and early modern European history may be of great help.
Teaching methods
Attendance to classes is strongly recommended although not compulsory. The teaching is delivered through frontal lectures aimed primarily at the acquisition of knowledge, competence and specific language of the subject. Discussion with the teacher in the classroom is integrant part of the didactic method and aims at promoting a critical attitude and the capacity to apply the acquired competence and knowledge.
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on Ariel.
In addition to frontal lectures, team works and/or individual presentations are envisaged
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on Ariel.
In addition to frontal lectures, team works and/or individual presentations are envisaged
Teaching Resources
ATTENDING STUDENTS
Module 1: Guidlines for a History of Switzerland (3 CFU)
The manual by T. Maissen, La Svizzera. Storia di una confederazione, Trieste, Beit, 2015 has to be accurately prepared and integrated with the material discussed in classes (primary sources and historical maps). The Dizionario storico della Svizzera, available online in German, French and Italiana at http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch, is strongly recommended to delve into specific historiographical and juridical terminology (e.g., Saubannerzug, 'landamano' or 'baliaggi comuni').
Module 2: Swiss Renaissance, European Renaissance (3 CFU)
For everybody: L. H. Halkin, Erasmo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1989
Module 3: Reforms and Counter-Reformation Across the Alpine Area (3 CFU)
For everybody: L. Felici, La Riforma protestante nell'Europa del Cinquecento, Roma, Carocci, 2016
In addition, one of the following volumes:
J. V. Pollet, Zwingli: biografia e teologia, Brescia, Morcelliana, 1994
A. McGrath, Giovanni Calvino: il riformatore e la sua influenza sulla cultura occidentale, Torino, Claudiana, 2009
R. H. Bainton, Vita e morte di Michele Serveto, 1511-1553, Roma, Fazi, 2012
S. Seidel Menchi, Erasmo in Italia, 1520-1580, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 1987
L. Biasiori, L'eresia di un umanista: Celio Secondo Curione nell'Europa del Cinquecento, Roma, Carocci, 2015
C. Di Filippo Bareggi, Le frontiere religiose della Lombardia: il rinnovamento cattolico nella zona ticinese e retica fra Cinque e Seicento, Milano, UNICOPLI, 1999
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
IN ADDITION TO THE TEXTS MENTIONED ABOVE:
- for 6 CFU: the essays by G. P. Marchal, N. Morand, M. Körner e F. De Capitani in vols I and II of Nuova Storia della Svizzera e degli Svizzeri, Lugano-Bellinzona, Casagrande, 1982-1983.
- for 9 CFU: the essays by G. P. Marchal, N. Morand, M. Körner e F. De Capitani in vols I and II of Nuova Storia della Svizzera e degli Svizzeri, Lugano-Bellinzona, Casagrande, 1982-1983 and a second text among those listed above in module C. Student are advised to get in touch to select this second text.
They are also invited to consult an historical atlas to grasp fully the complex development of the Swiss Confederacy and Central Europe in the late medieval and eraly modern periods. E.g., see: Grande atlante storico, Milano, Garzanti, 1999, pp. 22, 24-25, 34-35, 38-41, 44, 46-47, 55, 58-61, 74-76, 78, 82-85, 90-91, 98-99, 102, 104-105, 108, 113.
N.B.: International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
Module 1: Guidlines for a History of Switzerland (3 CFU)
The manual by T. Maissen, La Svizzera. Storia di una confederazione, Trieste, Beit, 2015 has to be accurately prepared and integrated with the material discussed in classes (primary sources and historical maps). The Dizionario storico della Svizzera, available online in German, French and Italiana at http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch, is strongly recommended to delve into specific historiographical and juridical terminology (e.g., Saubannerzug, 'landamano' or 'baliaggi comuni').
Module 2: Swiss Renaissance, European Renaissance (3 CFU)
For everybody: L. H. Halkin, Erasmo, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1989
Module 3: Reforms and Counter-Reformation Across the Alpine Area (3 CFU)
For everybody: L. Felici, La Riforma protestante nell'Europa del Cinquecento, Roma, Carocci, 2016
In addition, one of the following volumes:
J. V. Pollet, Zwingli: biografia e teologia, Brescia, Morcelliana, 1994
A. McGrath, Giovanni Calvino: il riformatore e la sua influenza sulla cultura occidentale, Torino, Claudiana, 2009
R. H. Bainton, Vita e morte di Michele Serveto, 1511-1553, Roma, Fazi, 2012
S. Seidel Menchi, Erasmo in Italia, 1520-1580, Torino, Bollati Boringhieri, 1987
L. Biasiori, L'eresia di un umanista: Celio Secondo Curione nell'Europa del Cinquecento, Roma, Carocci, 2015
C. Di Filippo Bareggi, Le frontiere religiose della Lombardia: il rinnovamento cattolico nella zona ticinese e retica fra Cinque e Seicento, Milano, UNICOPLI, 1999
NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
IN ADDITION TO THE TEXTS MENTIONED ABOVE:
- for 6 CFU: the essays by G. P. Marchal, N. Morand, M. Körner e F. De Capitani in vols I and II of Nuova Storia della Svizzera e degli Svizzeri, Lugano-Bellinzona, Casagrande, 1982-1983.
- for 9 CFU: the essays by G. P. Marchal, N. Morand, M. Körner e F. De Capitani in vols I and II of Nuova Storia della Svizzera e degli Svizzeri, Lugano-Bellinzona, Casagrande, 1982-1983 and a second text among those listed above in module C. Student are advised to get in touch to select this second text.
They are also invited to consult an historical atlas to grasp fully the complex development of the Swiss Confederacy and Central Europe in the late medieval and eraly modern periods. E.g., see: Grande atlante storico, Milano, Garzanti, 1999, pp. 22, 24-25, 34-35, 38-41, 44, 46-47, 55, 58-61, 74-76, 78, 82-85, 90-91, 98-99, 102, 104-105, 108, 113.
N.B.: International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: oral exam
- Type of examination: oral interrogation
- Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialised lexicon, efficacy, clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
- Type of examination: oral interrogation
- Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialised lexicon, efficacy, clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Unita' didattica A
M-STO/02 - MODERN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/02 - MODERN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-STO/02 - MODERN HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours