History, Anthropology, Religions

"Slavery and racism in the early modern period. A Global History" This course aims to critically discuss recent historiography on racism in the early modern period. In the first lessons, we will consider slavery in the context of the global economic networks of the time. We will then examine the practices of slavery, its representations, and its regulations in a comparative and diachronic perspective. We will trace the gradual emergence of the metonymy "black = slave" since the fifteenth century. The long history of the slave trade in the Mediterranean and the presence of "blacks" in European and colonial societies will be examined. Particular attention will be paid to the discontinuous elaboration of "racial" classifications and practices up to the elaboration of scientific theories of race in the nineteenth century. Critical reading of recent historiography will be an essential component of the course. Participation in the course is not mandatory but is strongly recommended.

first year 12 ECTS course of Early Modern History

Required books: Maria Fusaro, Reti commerciali e traffici in età moderna, Roma-Bari, Laterza (qualunque edizione) Aurélia Michel, Il bianco e il negro. Indagine storica sull'ordine razzista, Torino, Einaudi, 2021 One book among: Sebastian Conrad, Storia globale. Un'introduzione, Roma-Carocci, qualunque edizione Serena Di Nepi, I confini della salvezza. Schiavitù, conversione e libertà nella Roma di età moderna, Roma, Viella, 2022 Giovanna Fiume, Schiavitù mediterranee. Corsari, rinnegati e santi di età moderna, Milano, Bruno Mondadori, 2009 Herbert S. Klein, Il commercio atlantico degli schiavi, Roma, Carocci, 2014 Toby Green, Per un pugno di conchiglie. L'Africa occidentale dall'inizio della tratta degli schiavi all'Età delle rivoluzioni, Torino, Einaudi, 2022 L'Africa occidentale dall'inizio della tratta degli schiavi all'Età delle rivoluzioni Olivette Otele, Africani europei. Una storia mai raccontata, Torino, Einaudi, 2021 John Thornton, L'Africa e gli africani nella formazione del mondo atlantico (1400-1800), Bologna, Il Mulino, 2010

The course will be organized into traditional lessons and debates. Students will be encouraged to participate actively to the lessons; also, student will be requested to present short papers.

Optional

During the exam we will discuss both topics and bibliography of the course.

This in-presence course will be laboratory-based. Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged