Economic History
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course provides the broad outlines of economic history, both from a methodological point of view and in terms of themes, interpretive categories and language specific to the discipline, between the early-modern and modern ages. This course aims to contribute to the development of critical understanding of the various aspects addressed.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will have acquired the ability to examine global economic problems by tracing their early-modern and modern historical roots and employing the fundamental categories of economic theory (no previous economic or mathematical skills are required). They will also be able to place the most representative economic and business events and initiatives 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, to define concepts of an economic, political, social and institutional nature; they will be able to read critically historiographical works and assess the main quantitative sources.
These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. Educational tools will be made available on Ariel by the instructor for attending students.
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 indicated in the exam program for non-attending and if desired (after reading the exam program) contact the instructor both by email and during office hours.
These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. Educational tools will be made available on Ariel by the instructor for attending students.
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 indicated in the exam program for non-attending and if desired (after reading the exam program) contact the instructor both by email and during office hours.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Course title: Understanding Today's World Through Economic History
Part 1 (20 hours, 3 credits): Wealth and Poverty from a Global Perspective
Part 2 (20 hours, 3 credits): The Italian Economy: The Legacy of the Past and Today's Problems
Part 3 (20 hours, 3 credits): In-depth analysis: The history of capitalism as the history of work
Why do some regions of the world prosper while others are plagued by poverty? This course aims to address this fundamental historical question, introducing students to the basic methods of economic history.
The first module examines the various factors — geographical, demographic, technological, political, organisational and institutional — that have influenced the varying levels of economic development worldwide from the modern to the contemporary era, known as the 'Great Divergence'.
The second module focuses on Italian economic history in a global context. It will highlight the specific features of a historical development model characterised by strong state intervention and the prevalence of small and medium-sized enterprises. It will also analyse the main macroeconomic data, political-economic and institutional assumptions, and strategic factors of Italian development, including human, social and civil capital.
The third part of the course will demonstrate how, since its modern genesis with the Industrial Revolution, capitalism has shaped the history of industrial labour. It will explore how the establishment of the factory system fundamentally altered the organisation of production and social relations, transforming agricultural labour into a wage-earning workforce and leading to new forms of exploitation and worker resistance.
Part 1 (20 hours, 3 credits): Wealth and Poverty from a Global Perspective
Part 2 (20 hours, 3 credits): The Italian Economy: The Legacy of the Past and Today's Problems
Part 3 (20 hours, 3 credits): In-depth analysis: The history of capitalism as the history of work
Why do some regions of the world prosper while others are plagued by poverty? This course aims to address this fundamental historical question, introducing students to the basic methods of economic history.
The first module examines the various factors — geographical, demographic, technological, political, organisational and institutional — that have influenced the varying levels of economic development worldwide from the modern to the contemporary era, known as the 'Great Divergence'.
The second module focuses on Italian economic history in a global context. It will highlight the specific features of a historical development model characterised by strong state intervention and the prevalence of small and medium-sized enterprises. It will also analyse the main macroeconomic data, political-economic and institutional assumptions, and strategic factors of Italian development, including human, social and civil capital.
The third part of the course will demonstrate how, since its modern genesis with the Industrial Revolution, capitalism has shaped the history of industrial labour. It will explore how the establishment of the factory system fundamentally altered the organisation of production and social relations, transforming agricultural labour into a wage-earning workforce and leading to new forms of exploitation and worker resistance.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no additional requirements beyond those requested for degree admission. While having passed the Modern History and Contemporary History exams is recommended, it is not mandatory.
Teaching methods
Class attendance is strongly recommended, although not mandatory. Teaching consists of lectures aimed primarily at acquiring knowledge, skills, and language specific to the discipline. Discussion with the instructor is an integral part of the teaching method and aims to promote critical thinking and the ability to apply the skills and knowledge acquired.
Teaching makes use of multimedia teaching materials presented on the ARIEL platform, which students are required to consult regularly.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE THREE-YEAR FINAL PAPER IN ECONOMIC HISTORY
Students who intend to write their three-year final paper in Economic History must have attended the Economic History course and passed the final exam. It is also strongly recommended that students graduating in Economic History include the Political Economy exam in their study plan.
In order to write the final thesis in Economic History, it is also compulsory to attend the "Laboratory for the writing of the three-year thesis in Economic History" held every academic year in the second semester. Further information can be obtained from the Laboratory website.
Students who intend to prepare their final thesis in Economic History are invited to contact Dr. Gianmaria Brunazzi ([email protected]) during the first semester for a preliminary interview.
Teaching makes use of multimedia teaching materials presented on the ARIEL platform, which students are required to consult regularly.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE THREE-YEAR FINAL PAPER IN ECONOMIC HISTORY
Students who intend to write their three-year final paper in Economic History must have attended the Economic History course and passed the final exam. It is also strongly recommended that students graduating in Economic History include the Political Economy exam in their study plan.
In order to write the final thesis in Economic History, it is also compulsory to attend the "Laboratory for the writing of the three-year thesis in Economic History" held every academic year in the second semester. Further information can be obtained from the Laboratory website.
Students who intend to prepare their final thesis in Economic History are invited to contact Dr. Gianmaria Brunazzi ([email protected]) during the first semester for a preliminary interview.
Teaching Resources
PROGRAM FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS
- Program for 6 CFU credits Attending students:
A) Knowledge of the topics covered in class (Parts 1 and 2) and the teaching materials made available on myARIEL.
B) Knowledge of the books Robert C. Allen, Storia economica globale, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2013 (English edition R.C. Allen, Global Economic History: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, 2011) and Vera Zamagni, L'economia italiana nell'età della globalizzazione Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018 (English edition: Vera Zamagni, The Italian Economy, Agenda Publishing, 2018).
- Program for 9 credits Attending students:
A) Knowledge of the topics covered in class (Parts 1, 2, and 3) and of the teaching materials made available on myARIEL.
B) Knowledge of the books Robert C. Allen, Global Economic History, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2013 and Vera Zamagni, L'economia italiana nell'età della globalizzazione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018.
The program is now CONFIRMED: please do not request further confirmation by email.
PROGRAM FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
- Program for 6 CFU Non-Attending:
Detailed knowledge of the contents of the book R. Findlay, K.H. O'Rourke, Power and Plenty. Una storia economica del mondo, Italian edition edited by G. Conti, M.C. Schisani, Torino, Utet, 2019.
(English edition: Power and Plenty: Trade, War and the World Economy in the Second Millennium, Princeton University Press, 2009).
N.B.: Previous editions of the same textbook are NOT ACCEPTED.
- Program for 9 credits for non-attending students:
Detailed knowledge of the contents of the books R. Findlay, K.H. O'Rourke, Power and Plenty: A History of the World, Italian edition edited by G. Conti, M.C. Schisani, Turin, Utet, 2019, and Vera Zamagni, L'economia italiana nell'età della globalizzazione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018 (English editions: Power and Plenty: Trade, War and the World Economy in the Second Millennium, Princeton University Press, 2009 and Vera Zamagni, The Italian Economy, Agenda Publishing, 2018).
N.B.: Previous editions of the textbook "Power and Plenty" are NOT ACCEPTED.
The program is now CONFIRMED: please do not request further confirmation by email.
International or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the course professor as soon as possible to agree on the exam program, which may also be in English.
- Program for 6 CFU credits Attending students:
A) Knowledge of the topics covered in class (Parts 1 and 2) and the teaching materials made available on myARIEL.
B) Knowledge of the books Robert C. Allen, Storia economica globale, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2013 (English edition R.C. Allen, Global Economic History: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, 2011) and Vera Zamagni, L'economia italiana nell'età della globalizzazione Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018 (English edition: Vera Zamagni, The Italian Economy, Agenda Publishing, 2018).
- Program for 9 credits Attending students:
A) Knowledge of the topics covered in class (Parts 1, 2, and 3) and of the teaching materials made available on myARIEL.
B) Knowledge of the books Robert C. Allen, Global Economic History, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2013 and Vera Zamagni, L'economia italiana nell'età della globalizzazione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018.
The program is now CONFIRMED: please do not request further confirmation by email.
PROGRAM FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
- Program for 6 CFU Non-Attending:
Detailed knowledge of the contents of the book R. Findlay, K.H. O'Rourke, Power and Plenty. Una storia economica del mondo, Italian edition edited by G. Conti, M.C. Schisani, Torino, Utet, 2019.
(English edition: Power and Plenty: Trade, War and the World Economy in the Second Millennium, Princeton University Press, 2009).
N.B.: Previous editions of the same textbook are NOT ACCEPTED.
- Program for 9 credits for non-attending students:
Detailed knowledge of the contents of the books R. Findlay, K.H. O'Rourke, Power and Plenty: A History of the World, Italian edition edited by G. Conti, M.C. Schisani, Turin, Utet, 2019, and Vera Zamagni, L'economia italiana nell'età della globalizzazione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018 (English editions: Power and Plenty: Trade, War and the World Economy in the Second Millennium, Princeton University Press, 2009 and Vera Zamagni, The Italian Economy, Agenda Publishing, 2018).
N.B.: Previous editions of the textbook "Power and Plenty" are NOT ACCEPTED.
The program is now CONFIRMED: please do not request further confirmation by email.
International or incoming Erasmus students are invited to contact the course professor as soon as possible to agree on the exam program, which may also be in English.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Method: Written exam in a virtual classroom.
Type of exam: Closed-ended questions using Moodle, with assessment method available on myARIEL.
- Assessment criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate on acquired knowledge; ability to critically reflect on work carried out; competence in using the discipline's vocabulary.
- Type of marking: marks out of 30.
There will be two optional mid-term tests (one at the end of the first module and one at the end of the third module), which are reserved for attending students only. The tests will consist of one or two open-ended questions. The tests will cover topics discussed in class and the content of the textbooks. The final grade will be the sum of the two intermediate test grades and may be recorded in the first available exam session (December 2025-February 2026).
Erasmus students may take the intermediate written tests in English or French.
Information regarding the format of the optional mid-term exams will be provided during classes. As these are mid-term exams reserved for attending students, no information will be provided via email.
Arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning difficulties (SLDs) must be agreed with the instructor at least two weeks before the test, in consultation with the relevant office, in order to agree on any compensatory measures. The same applies to SLD students who intend to take the intermediate tests.
Type of exam: Closed-ended questions using Moodle, with assessment method available on myARIEL.
- Assessment criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate on acquired knowledge; ability to critically reflect on work carried out; competence in using the discipline's vocabulary.
- Type of marking: marks out of 30.
There will be two optional mid-term tests (one at the end of the first module and one at the end of the third module), which are reserved for attending students only. The tests will consist of one or two open-ended questions. The tests will cover topics discussed in class and the content of the textbooks. The final grade will be the sum of the two intermediate test grades and may be recorded in the first available exam session (December 2025-February 2026).
Erasmus students may take the intermediate written tests in English or French.
Information regarding the format of the optional mid-term exams will be provided during classes. As these are mid-term exams reserved for attending students, no information will be provided via email.
Arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning difficulties (SLDs) must be agreed with the instructor at least two weeks before the test, in consultation with the relevant office, in order to agree on any compensatory measures. The same applies to SLD students who intend to take the intermediate tests.
Modules or teaching units
Unita' didattica A
SECS-P/12 - ECONOMIC HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
SECS-P/12 - ECONOMIC HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
SECS-P/12 - ECONOMIC HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)