MODERN HISTORY LM (ADVANCED COURSE) MOD. B – 2025-2026

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Teacher: Prof. Chiara Lucrezio Monticelli 
E-mail: chiara.lucrezio@uniroma2.it
CFU: 6
Course code: 804002392 (Mod. A, 6 CFU) – 804002398 (Mod. A + Mod. B, 12 CFU)
Degree: Master’s Degree “Scienze della Storia e del documento”
Course delivery modalities: In-presence
Language
: Italian

Pre-requisites: The programme is recommended for students with a basic knowledge of modern history
Attendance: Optional
Assessment method: Oral examination
Period: 2nd term
Starting day: The course’s starting day is still to be determined
Class hours
The class hours are still to be determined.
Program:
Poverty, vagrancy and crime in modern Europe: assistance and repression

The module aims to examine the cultural construction, as well as the material conditions, through which the profile of the poor, vagrant and criminal people in early modern Europe was defined. Taking into account the classic historiography on pauperism and the recent interpretations about social inequalities and the history of punishment, social analysis will be compared with the history of institutions and justice. In-class discussions and source exercises will be offered on these topics..

Text books:
  1. M. Bellabarba, La giustizia nell’Italia moderna (XVI-XVIII secc.), Laterza, Roma, 2021.
  2. N. Zemon Davis, Il ritorno di Martin Guerre. Un caso di doppia identità nella Francia del Cinquecento, Officina Libraria, Roma, 2022 (prefazione di C. Ginzburg).
Bibliography:
Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
A) Learning Outcomes: Providing the historical instruments for the study of the Napoleonic era in the context of the Age of Revolutions, with regard to Italian case-study, through the critical analysis of sources and debates on this subject. In this framework, students must improve their methodological skills in order to achieve the goal of writing degree thesis.
B) Knowledge and Understanding: The module aims at providing a depth knowledge of the napoleonic Empire-building, with regard to the issues of the crisis of the global Old Regimes and the study of the sources..
C) Applying Knowledge and Understanding: thanks to methodology proposed in the study of the Napoleonic era, students will acquire the conceptual tools to also apply their skills in the study of other topics and themes
D) Making Judgements: the module aims at providing a critical knowledge of selected topics in order to develop the judgment on the implications in the connected social, scientific and ethic issues.
E) Communication Skills: students will improve communication skills in order to report correctly, rigorously and effectively information, ideas, problems and solutions.
F) Learning Skills: the module will provide tools for critical study of textbooks by stimulating also the elaboration of hypothesis and research of solution through sources and historiography.
Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5: communication skills).
The final grade will be based 70% on the student’s depth of knowledge and 30% on the student’s ability for expression (written and oral) and independent critical thinking.
The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
– Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language.
– 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language.
– 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical.
– 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical.
– 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language.
– 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.
Teaching methods:

Teaching will mainly focus on lectures accompanied by the use of slides, maps and blackboard outlines. Class discussions will be facilitated by reading some examples of sources and will include oral presentations and short written exercises in the last part. The specific contents will be as follows:

  • Topic 1: The social and cultural phenomenon of pauperism in 16th century Europe
  • Topic 2: The ‘great internment’ thesis, workhouses, hopitaux and Italian institutions of confinement
  • Topic 3: The development of justice and the interpretation of legal sources
  • Theme 4: From confinement to prison, the reforms of the Legal Enlightenment
Attendance modalities:
Attendance is not compulsory, but highly recommended.
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