Teaching Workshop
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
Both in the history of economic thought and in common speech, the metaphor of language is often used to describe what money is and what it does. The workshop explores the peculiar characteristics of money as a means of communication, retracing the main stages through which the monetary functions have appeared and evolved throughout history, from the invention of writing to the most recent innovations in computer technology: unit of account, medium of exchange and store of value are considered in their specific ability to communicate, that is to designate and transmit value. The aim of the workshop is to promote a critical knowledge of monetary and financial institutions, in their ability to give rise, in different configurations, to different forms of economic and social relations.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the workshop, students will have acquired knowledge about the origin and evolution of money, and will have developed the ability to understand the basic functions and dynamics of the monetary and financial system as the connective tissue at the base of capitalist economies, tracing its modern and contemporary history and using the fundamental categories of economic theory (no previous economic or mathematical skills are required). They will also be able to analyze and critically discuss how different configurations of money and credit give rise to different forms of exchange and sociality. Having to carry out individual work, through activities assigned by the teacher and then discussed collectively, students will finally be able to use the linguistic tools (property of language, correct specific vocabulary) adequate to express themselves on the subject in written and oral form, and in a clear and effective way. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous confrontation with the teacher and with fellow students in the classroom, in which the discussion around the students' work will be a moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Students unable to attend will be able to take advantage of the teaching tools made available by the teacher on Ariel, to deepen the main topics through appropriate readings agreed with the teacher, and of course to discuss with the teacher both via email and during office hours.
Lesson period: Second semester
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
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Syllabus:
1. Money as a medium and as a social object
2. The origin of writing: money as a language and as a unit of account
3. The invention of coinage: money as a means of exchange and communication through space
4. The system of imaginary money: from Charlemagne to Napoleon
5. The English financial revolution: money as a store of value and as a means of communication through time
6. Money and trust: the suspension of convertibility and the era of fiat money
7. Digital currency and blockchain: a return to the origins?
8. General Discussion
9. Discussion of the in-depth studies presented by the students
10. Discussion of the cases presented by the students
After an introductory reflection on the nature of money, the workshop will propose a path through monetary history, aimed at reflecting on the various configurations in which money performs the function of means of communication and on the ways in which different monetary architectures lead to different forms of sociality. From the very first lessons, students will be asked to participate in the discussion and to identify a theme or a case study, starting from personal interests and from the topics presented in class.
The research question will be defined together with the teacher in the Laboratory and will be developed by the student in an essay that will be presented and discussed in one of the final lessons.
1. Money as a medium and as a social object
2. The origin of writing: money as a language and as a unit of account
3. The invention of coinage: money as a means of exchange and communication through space
4. The system of imaginary money: from Charlemagne to Napoleon
5. The English financial revolution: money as a store of value and as a means of communication through time
6. Money and trust: the suspension of convertibility and the era of fiat money
7. Digital currency and blockchain: a return to the origins?
8. General Discussion
9. Discussion of the in-depth studies presented by the students
10. Discussion of the cases presented by the students
After an introductory reflection on the nature of money, the workshop will propose a path through monetary history, aimed at reflecting on the various configurations in which money performs the function of means of communication and on the ways in which different monetary architectures lead to different forms of sociality. From the very first lessons, students will be asked to participate in the discussion and to identify a theme or a case study, starting from personal interests and from the topics presented in class.
The research question will be defined together with the teacher in the Laboratory and will be developed by the student in an essay that will be presented and discussed in one of the final lessons.
Prerequisites for admission
The Laboratory is addressed to students of all courses of the bachelor degree in Liberal studies in communication, up to a maximum of 35 students, and is open to attending students (up to a limit of 25) and not attending students (up to a limit of 10).
Interested students can register through the Didactic Secretariat by sending an email to [email protected]. Registration will open in February 2022.
In case the number of students enrolled in the course exceeds the established limits, the selection criterion will be the chronological order of enrollment.
Interested students can register through the Didactic Secretariat by sending an email to [email protected]. Registration will open in February 2022.
In case the number of students enrolled in the course exceeds the established limits, the selection criterion will be the chronological order of enrollment.
Teaching methods
The course consists of two parts. The first part consists of a series of 7 lectures, in which, starting from an initial reading, the teacher will be in charge of presenting the topic and submitting it to the students' discussion. The second part includes the 3 final lessons, in which students will be asked in turn to present and discuss with the teacher and their peers the themes or cases they have explored in a written essay. Having a highly interactive nature, all lectures will be held in presence in classrooms indicated in time on the Ariel page of the course, provided that conditions and sanitary arrangements allow it.
Teaching Resources
Reference Text:
L. Fantacci, La moneta. Storia di un'istituzione mancata, Marsilio, Venice, 2005.
Further material will be indicated during the course.
L. Fantacci, La moneta. Storia di un'istituzione mancata, Marsilio, Venice, 2005.
Further material will be indicated during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The passing of the course for the frequent students is subordinated:
- the attendance of 80% of the lessons
- the presentation of a final essay, of about 2000 words, that the student will have to discuss in class during the last lesson.
Both the attendance of the lessons and the active and collaborative participation in them, as well as the writing of a good quality essay are essential requirements in order to obtain the 3 CFU.
Non-attending students will have to write an essay, of about 2500 words, to be agreed upon directly with the teacher by March 15, and handed in by May 10.
- the attendance of 80% of the lessons
- the presentation of a final essay, of about 2000 words, that the student will have to discuss in class during the last lesson.
Both the attendance of the lessons and the active and collaborative participation in them, as well as the writing of a good quality essay are essential requirements in order to obtain the 3 CFU.
Non-attending students will have to write an essay, of about 2500 words, to be agreed upon directly with the teacher by March 15, and handed in by May 10.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday 11.30-13.00
By appointment, in presence in my office or online on Teams