The aim of the module is to provide an historical understanding of globalization from the early modern period to the present. Student will be introduced to key themes in the history of globalization (such as: networks; migration (forced and free); imperialism; inequalities; trade and consumption; technological revolutions) and theoretical debates on the topic. At the end of the module students will be able to understand development and evolution of the globalization process through the centuries, to evaluate how it shaped people’s life since the sixteenth century, and to consider current debates in an historical perspective.
scheda docente
materiale didattico
During the early modern period, unprecedented economic, political, and cultural interconnections played a significant role in shaping new images of the world. Through an examination of historical and literary sources, we will analyze these transformations from a dual perspective. Firstly, we will investigate the metamorphoses in concepts and practices of sovereignty prompted by the emergence of the first colonial empires. Secondly, we will explore how these changes influenced the formation of paradigms that support 'global' or 'connected' interpretations of social phenomena, delving into their origins, methodologies, and impacts.
In the second part of the course, we will examine the origins and evolution of global communication systems. This section will explore the utopias of universal languages that emerged during the Renaissance and investigate the dynamics that have shaped contemporary scientific idioms.
Programma
The Languages of TechnologyDuring the early modern period, unprecedented economic, political, and cultural interconnections played a significant role in shaping new images of the world. Through an examination of historical and literary sources, we will analyze these transformations from a dual perspective. Firstly, we will investigate the metamorphoses in concepts and practices of sovereignty prompted by the emergence of the first colonial empires. Secondly, we will explore how these changes influenced the formation of paradigms that support 'global' or 'connected' interpretations of social phenomena, delving into their origins, methodologies, and impacts.
In the second part of the course, we will examine the origins and evolution of global communication systems. This section will explore the utopias of universal languages that emerged during the Renaissance and investigate the dynamics that have shaped contemporary scientific idioms.
Testi Adottati
In this course, we will examine key scientific and literary texts from the early modern and modern periods. See bibliography.Bibliografia Di Riferimento
F. Bacon, The New Atlantis; F. Bacon, Novum Organum; G. Galilei, Il saggiatore; C. Linnaeus, Systema Naturae; W. Shakespeare, The Tempest; - G. Anders, The Outdatedness of Human Beings; H. Arendt, The Human Condition; M. P. Crosland, Historical Studies in the Language of Chemistry; P. Findlen, Possessing Nature: Museums, Collecting, and Scientific Culture in Early Modern Italy; T. S. Kuhn, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions; J von Sachs, Geschichte der Botanik vom 16. Jahrhundert bis 1860; F. Webster, Theories of the Information Society.Modalità Frequenza
Regular attendance in class is crucial, considering the course format.Modalità Valutazione
Final exam: Students attending classes will be required to give a book presentation, followed by a discussion on the topics covered. For those planning to take the exam without attending classes, the program includes: -1- Charles H. Parker, Global Interactions in the Modern Age - 1400-1800 (or Charles H. Parker, Relazioni globali nell'età moderna - 1400-1800 (Il mulino)); -2- a text selected from the list of book available on the course page; -3- an essay, selected from the list of essays available on the course page.