International History of the Modern World
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to convey an understanding of the concepts and key thematic nodes of the International History of the Modern World, in addition to the guidelines and related historiographic languages, also through thematic investigation proposed by the teacher. The course also aims to provide instrumental and conceptual tools suitable for historical communication, both scientific and popular.
Expected learning outcomes
The course aims to introduce students to the historiographical reflections on the International History of the Modern Word, opening them to the use of published and unpublished sources and the printed and online bibliographic tools. Students will be introduced to different methodologies of historical investigation and the study of archival documentation. At the end of the course students will be able to critically read primary sources and scientific texts and to develop independent reflections on the main historical and historiographical issues related to the International History of the Modern World. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the teacher 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 teacher on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the teacher and contact the teacher 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
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: Themes and Problems in Global and Imperial History (15th-19th Centuries).
Teaching Unit 1: Foundations of Global History and Imperial History.
Teaching Unit 2: Themes and Problems of Political History in the Age of Mondialisation.
Teaching Unit 3: Commodities, Institutions, and Economic Structures of the Early Modern World.
The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical and conceptual foundations, as well as the methodological skills necessary to work with scholarly texts and articles, in relation to the main themes of the international history of the early modern world. This field is understood as the history of relations between political entities and the history of the transnational political, economic, and social processes of the period. Avoiding a Eurocentric perspective, the course will examine the history of European expansion beyond the continent, episodes of encounter and conflict with other cultures and civilizations, imperial history, and the history of mondialisation over a chronological span extending from the mid-fifteenth century to the early decades of the nineteenth century.
The course is divided into three teaching units. The first two address the foundations of global and imperial history, in light of the new historiographical approaches that have emerged over the past two decades (Teaching Unit 1), as well as key themes and problems within this field of study (Teaching Unit 2). Teaching Unit 3 is specifically devoted to the study of the history of institutions, key commodities, and the economic structures and practices that contributed to the emergence of an integrated economic world during the early modern period.
Teaching Unit 1: Foundations of Global History and Imperial History.
Teaching Unit 2: Themes and Problems of Political History in the Age of Mondialisation.
Teaching Unit 3: Commodities, Institutions, and Economic Structures of the Early Modern World.
The aim of the course is to provide students with the theoretical and conceptual foundations, as well as the methodological skills necessary to work with scholarly texts and articles, in relation to the main themes of the international history of the early modern world. This field is understood as the history of relations between political entities and the history of the transnational political, economic, and social processes of the period. Avoiding a Eurocentric perspective, the course will examine the history of European expansion beyond the continent, episodes of encounter and conflict with other cultures and civilizations, imperial history, and the history of mondialisation over a chronological span extending from the mid-fifteenth century to the early decades of the nineteenth century.
The course is divided into three teaching units. The first two address the foundations of global and imperial history, in light of the new historiographical approaches that have emerged over the past two decades (Teaching Unit 1), as well as key themes and problems within this field of study (Teaching Unit 2). Teaching Unit 3 is specifically devoted to the study of the history of institutions, key commodities, and the economic structures and practices that contributed to the emergence of an integrated economic world during the early modern period.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific prerequisites other than those required for admission to the Master's degree programme in Historical Sciences.
Teaching methods
Attendance to classes is strongly recommended although not compulsory.
The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminar-style sessions. Students are required to prepare actively for each class by completing the assigned readings in advance. Lectures are primarily aimed at providing students with the knowledge, skills, and disciplinary language specific to the field. Classroom discussion with the instructor is an integral part of the teaching method and is designed to foster critical thinking and the ability to apply acquired knowledge and skills independently.
During the first weeks, the instructor will lead the discussion, with the active participation of students, on the key themes introduced by the so-called global turn in the study of modern world history. Topics will include definitions and perspectives of global history, critical approaches to the global turn, the relationship between microhistory and global history, and the main approaches to imperial history. In subsequent sessions, students will take turns leading the discussion through individual or group presentations based on the assigned readings. At this stage of the course, a range of political, economic, social, and cultural themes related to European expansion beyond the continent's boundaries will be explored.
Teaching Unit 3 is entirely seminar-based and is devoted to the discussion, together with the instructor, of texts addressing the theme "Commodities, Institutions, and Economic Structures in the Modern World". These sessions will examine theories, institutions, key commodities, and regimes of labour, exchange, and consumption that accompanied the gradual emergence of an integrated economic world during the early modern period.
The course makes use of teaching materials, including multimedia resources, available on the ARIEL platform.
The course is delivered through a combination of lectures and seminar-style sessions. Students are required to prepare actively for each class by completing the assigned readings in advance. Lectures are primarily aimed at providing students with the knowledge, skills, and disciplinary language specific to the field. Classroom discussion with the instructor is an integral part of the teaching method and is designed to foster critical thinking and the ability to apply acquired knowledge and skills independently.
During the first weeks, the instructor will lead the discussion, with the active participation of students, on the key themes introduced by the so-called global turn in the study of modern world history. Topics will include definitions and perspectives of global history, critical approaches to the global turn, the relationship between microhistory and global history, and the main approaches to imperial history. In subsequent sessions, students will take turns leading the discussion through individual or group presentations based on the assigned readings. At this stage of the course, a range of political, economic, social, and cultural themes related to European expansion beyond the continent's boundaries will be explored.
Teaching Unit 3 is entirely seminar-based and is devoted to the discussion, together with the instructor, of texts addressing the theme "Commodities, Institutions, and Economic Structures in the Modern World". These sessions will examine theories, institutions, key commodities, and regimes of labour, exchange, and consumption that accompanied the gradual emergence of an integrated economic world during the early modern period.
The course makes use of teaching materials, including multimedia resources, available on the ARIEL platform.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the themes and texts covered in class and made available on the ARIEL platform (Teaching Units 1 and 2).
Study of ONE of the following volumes, to be chosen:
U. Bosma. Il mondo dello zucchero. Come le cose dolci hanno trasformato la nostra salute e il pianeta, Einaudi 2024 (until chapter 9, included).
K. Burns, Colonial Habits. Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru, Duke University Press 1999.
G. Delogu, L'emporio delle parole. Costruire l'informazione nei porti franchi d'età moderna, Viella 2024.
E. Irace e M. Vaquero Piñeiro, I paesaggi dell'Italia moderna. Da Petrarca a Napoleone, Carocci 2023.
F. Morelli, Il Mondo Atlantico. Una storia senza confini, XV-XIX secolo, Carocci, 2013.
J. Popkin, Haiti. Storia di una rivoluzione, Einaudi 2020.
A. Romano. Impressioni di Cina. Saperi europei e inglobamento del mondo (secoli XVI-XVII), Viella 2020.
S. Subrahmanyam. Mondi connessi. La storia oltre l'Eurocentrismo, Carocci 2014.
G. Talini. Piantagioni e schiavi nella storia del capitalismo, Carocci 2025.
F. Trivellato. Microstoria e storia globale, Officina Libraria 2023.
F. Trivellato, Il commercio interculturale. La diaspora sefardita, Livorno e i traffici globali in età moderna, Viella 2016.
F. Tudini, Governare una diocesi nella Monarchia spagnola. Gli arcivescovi di Lima, la Corona e Roma (1541-1606), Viella 2024.
- Programme for 9 CFU:
Knowledge of the themes and texts covered in class and made available on the ARIEL platform (Teaching Units 1, 2 and 3).
Study of ONE of the following volumes, to be chosen:
U. Bosma. Il mondo dello zucchero. Come le cose dolci hanno trasformato la nostra salute e il pianeta, Einaudi 2024 (until chapter 9, included).
K. Burns, Colonial Habits. Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru, Duke University Press 1999.
G. Delogu, L'emporio delle parole. Costruire l'informazione nei porti franchi d'età moderna, Viella 2024.
E. Irace e M. Vaquero Piñeiro, I paesaggi dell'Italia moderna. Da Petrarca a Napoleone, Carocci 2023.
F. Morelli, Il Mondo Atlantico. Una storia senza confini, XV-XIX secolo, Carocci, 2013.
J. Popkin, Haiti. Storia di una rivoluzione, Einaudi 2020.
A. Romano. Impressioni di Cina. Saperi europei e inglobamento del mondo (secoli XVI-XVII), Viella 2020.
S. Subrahmanyam. Mondi connessi. La storia oltre l'Eurocentrismo, Carocci 2014.
G. Talini. Piantagioni e schiavi nella storia del capitalismo, Carocci 2025.
F. Trivellato. Microstoria e storia globale, Officina Libraria 2023.
F. Trivellato, Il commercio interculturale. La diaspora sefardita, Livorno e i traffici globali in età moderna, Viella 2016.
F. Tudini, Governare una diocesi nella Monarchia spagnola. Gli arcivescovi di Lima, la Corona e Roma (1541-1606), Viella 2024.
Non-attending students:
Textbook: L. Di Fiore, M. Meriggi. World History. Le nuove rotte della storia, Laterza 2011.
Study of TWO of the following volumes, to be chosen:
U. Bosma. Il mondo dello zucchero. Come le cose dolci hanno trasformato la nostra salute e il pianeta, Einaudi 2024 (until chapter 9, included).
K. Burns, Colonial Habits. Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru, Duke University Press 1999.
G. Delogu, L'emporio delle parole. Costruire l'informazione nei porti franchi d'età moderna, Viella 2024.
E. Irace e M. Vaquero Piñeiro, I paesaggi dell'Italia moderna. Da Petrarca a Napoleone, Carocci 2023.
F. Morelli, Il Mondo Atlantico. Una storia senza confini, XV-XIX secolo, Carocci, 2013.
J. Popkin, Haiti. Storia di una rivoluzione, Einaudi 2020.
A. Romano. Impressioni di Cina. Saperi europei e inglobamento del mondo (secoli XVI-XVII), Viella 2020.
S. Subrahmanyam. Mondi connessi. La storia oltre l'Eurocentrismo, Carocci 2014.
G. Talini. Piantagioni e schiavi nella storia del capitalismo, Carocci 2025.
F. Trivellato. Microstoria e storia globale, Officina Libraria 2023.
F. Trivellato, Il commercio interculturale. La diaspora sefardita, Livorno e i traffici globali in età moderna, Viella 2016.
F. Tudini, Governare una diocesi nella Monarchia spagnola. Gli arcivescovi di Lima, la Corona e Roma (1541-1606), Viella 2024.
- Programme for 9 CFU:
Textbook: L. Di Fiore, M. Meriggi. World History. Le nuove rotte della storia, Laterza 2011.
Study of ONE of the following volumes, to be chosen:
S. Beckert. L'impero del cotone, Einaudi 2014.
M. Carmagnani. Le isole del lusso, UTET 2010.
K. Pomeranz. La grande divergenza, Il Mulino 2004.
A. Stanziani. Le metamorfosi del lavoro coatto, Il Mulino 2022.
Study of TWO of the following volumes, to be chosen:
U. Bosma. Il mondo dello zucchero. Come le cose dolci hanno trasformato la nostra salute e il pianeta, Einaudi 2024 (until chapter 9, included).
K. Burns, Colonial Habits. Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru, Duke University Press 1999.
G. Delogu, L'emporio delle parole. Costruire l'informazione nei porti franchi d'età moderna, Viella 2024.
E. Irace e M. Vaquero Piñeiro, I paesaggi dell'Italia moderna. Da Petrarca a Napoleone, Carocci 2023.
F. Morelli, Il Mondo Atlantico. Una storia senza confini, XV-XIX secolo, Carocci, 2013.
J. Popkin, Haiti. Storia di una rivoluzione, Einaudi 2020.
A. Romano. Impressioni di Cina. Saperi europei e inglobamento del mondo (secoli XVI-XVII), Viella 2020.
S. Subrahmanyam. Mondi connessi. La storia oltre l'Eurocentrismo, Carocci 2014.
G. Talini. Piantagioni e schiavi nella storia del capitalismo, Carocci 2025.
F. Trivellato. Microstoria e storia globale, Officina Libraria 2023.
F. Trivellato, Il commercio interculturale. La diaspora sefardita, Livorno e i traffici globali in età moderna, Viella 2016.
F. Tudini, Governare una diocesi nella Monarchia spagnola. Gli arcivescovi di Lima, la Corona e Roma (1541-1606), Viella 2024.
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.
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the themes and texts covered in class and made available on the ARIEL platform (Teaching Units 1 and 2).
Study of ONE of the following volumes, to be chosen:
U. Bosma. Il mondo dello zucchero. Come le cose dolci hanno trasformato la nostra salute e il pianeta, Einaudi 2024 (until chapter 9, included).
K. Burns, Colonial Habits. Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru, Duke University Press 1999.
G. Delogu, L'emporio delle parole. Costruire l'informazione nei porti franchi d'età moderna, Viella 2024.
E. Irace e M. Vaquero Piñeiro, I paesaggi dell'Italia moderna. Da Petrarca a Napoleone, Carocci 2023.
F. Morelli, Il Mondo Atlantico. Una storia senza confini, XV-XIX secolo, Carocci, 2013.
J. Popkin, Haiti. Storia di una rivoluzione, Einaudi 2020.
A. Romano. Impressioni di Cina. Saperi europei e inglobamento del mondo (secoli XVI-XVII), Viella 2020.
S. Subrahmanyam. Mondi connessi. La storia oltre l'Eurocentrismo, Carocci 2014.
G. Talini. Piantagioni e schiavi nella storia del capitalismo, Carocci 2025.
F. Trivellato. Microstoria e storia globale, Officina Libraria 2023.
F. Trivellato, Il commercio interculturale. La diaspora sefardita, Livorno e i traffici globali in età moderna, Viella 2016.
F. Tudini, Governare una diocesi nella Monarchia spagnola. Gli arcivescovi di Lima, la Corona e Roma (1541-1606), Viella 2024.
- Programme for 9 CFU:
Knowledge of the themes and texts covered in class and made available on the ARIEL platform (Teaching Units 1, 2 and 3).
Study of ONE of the following volumes, to be chosen:
U. Bosma. Il mondo dello zucchero. Come le cose dolci hanno trasformato la nostra salute e il pianeta, Einaudi 2024 (until chapter 9, included).
K. Burns, Colonial Habits. Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru, Duke University Press 1999.
G. Delogu, L'emporio delle parole. Costruire l'informazione nei porti franchi d'età moderna, Viella 2024.
E. Irace e M. Vaquero Piñeiro, I paesaggi dell'Italia moderna. Da Petrarca a Napoleone, Carocci 2023.
F. Morelli, Il Mondo Atlantico. Una storia senza confini, XV-XIX secolo, Carocci, 2013.
J. Popkin, Haiti. Storia di una rivoluzione, Einaudi 2020.
A. Romano. Impressioni di Cina. Saperi europei e inglobamento del mondo (secoli XVI-XVII), Viella 2020.
S. Subrahmanyam. Mondi connessi. La storia oltre l'Eurocentrismo, Carocci 2014.
G. Talini. Piantagioni e schiavi nella storia del capitalismo, Carocci 2025.
F. Trivellato. Microstoria e storia globale, Officina Libraria 2023.
F. Trivellato, Il commercio interculturale. La diaspora sefardita, Livorno e i traffici globali in età moderna, Viella 2016.
F. Tudini, Governare una diocesi nella Monarchia spagnola. Gli arcivescovi di Lima, la Corona e Roma (1541-1606), Viella 2024.
Non-attending students:
Textbook: L. Di Fiore, M. Meriggi. World History. Le nuove rotte della storia, Laterza 2011.
Study of TWO of the following volumes, to be chosen:
U. Bosma. Il mondo dello zucchero. Come le cose dolci hanno trasformato la nostra salute e il pianeta, Einaudi 2024 (until chapter 9, included).
K. Burns, Colonial Habits. Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru, Duke University Press 1999.
G. Delogu, L'emporio delle parole. Costruire l'informazione nei porti franchi d'età moderna, Viella 2024.
E. Irace e M. Vaquero Piñeiro, I paesaggi dell'Italia moderna. Da Petrarca a Napoleone, Carocci 2023.
F. Morelli, Il Mondo Atlantico. Una storia senza confini, XV-XIX secolo, Carocci, 2013.
J. Popkin, Haiti. Storia di una rivoluzione, Einaudi 2020.
A. Romano. Impressioni di Cina. Saperi europei e inglobamento del mondo (secoli XVI-XVII), Viella 2020.
S. Subrahmanyam. Mondi connessi. La storia oltre l'Eurocentrismo, Carocci 2014.
G. Talini. Piantagioni e schiavi nella storia del capitalismo, Carocci 2025.
F. Trivellato. Microstoria e storia globale, Officina Libraria 2023.
F. Trivellato, Il commercio interculturale. La diaspora sefardita, Livorno e i traffici globali in età moderna, Viella 2016.
F. Tudini, Governare una diocesi nella Monarchia spagnola. Gli arcivescovi di Lima, la Corona e Roma (1541-1606), Viella 2024.
- Programme for 9 CFU:
Textbook: L. Di Fiore, M. Meriggi. World History. Le nuove rotte della storia, Laterza 2011.
Study of ONE of the following volumes, to be chosen:
S. Beckert. L'impero del cotone, Einaudi 2014.
M. Carmagnani. Le isole del lusso, UTET 2010.
K. Pomeranz. La grande divergenza, Il Mulino 2004.
A. Stanziani. Le metamorfosi del lavoro coatto, Il Mulino 2022.
Study of TWO of the following volumes, to be chosen:
U. Bosma. Il mondo dello zucchero. Come le cose dolci hanno trasformato la nostra salute e il pianeta, Einaudi 2024 (until chapter 9, included).
K. Burns, Colonial Habits. Convents and the Spiritual Economy of Cuzco, Peru, Duke University Press 1999.
G. Delogu, L'emporio delle parole. Costruire l'informazione nei porti franchi d'età moderna, Viella 2024.
E. Irace e M. Vaquero Piñeiro, I paesaggi dell'Italia moderna. Da Petrarca a Napoleone, Carocci 2023.
F. Morelli, Il Mondo Atlantico. Una storia senza confini, XV-XIX secolo, Carocci, 2013.
J. Popkin, Haiti. Storia di una rivoluzione, Einaudi 2020.
A. Romano. Impressioni di Cina. Saperi europei e inglobamento del mondo (secoli XVI-XVII), Viella 2020.
S. Subrahmanyam. Mondi connessi. La storia oltre l'Eurocentrismo, Carocci 2014.
G. Talini. Piantagioni e schiavi nella storia del capitalismo, Carocci 2025.
F. Trivellato. Microstoria e storia globale, Officina Libraria 2023.
F. Trivellato, Il commercio interculturale. La diaspora sefardita, Livorno e i traffici globali in età moderna, Viella 2016.
F. Tudini, Governare una diocesi nella Monarchia spagnola. Gli arcivescovi di Lima, la Corona e Roma (1541-1606), Viella 2024.
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: written examination.
- Type of examination: written test with open-ended questions. One question per teaching unit, 40 minutes per question.
- Assessment criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate on the knowledge acquired; capacity for critical reflection on the work undertaken; quality of written expression; appropriate use of disciplinary terminology; clarity and effectiveness of communication; argumentative skills. For attending students, the final grade will also incorporate the assessment of the in-class presentation and active participation in class discussions (20%).
- Grading system: marks awarded on a thirty-point scale. The results of the final examination will be made available on the ARIEL platform.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, in agreement with the office in charge ([email protected] or [email protected]).
- Type of examination: written test with open-ended questions. One question per teaching unit, 40 minutes per question.
- Assessment criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate on the knowledge acquired; capacity for critical reflection on the work undertaken; quality of written expression; appropriate use of disciplinary terminology; clarity and effectiveness of communication; argumentative skills. For attending students, the final grade will also incorporate the assessment of the in-class presentation and active participation in class discussions (20%).
- Grading system: marks awarded on a thirty-point scale. The results of the final examination will be made available on the ARIEL platform.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, in agreement with the office in charge ([email protected] or [email protected]).
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)