Historical Studies

Economic History of the Middle Ages - Economic Growth and Development in the Middle Ages (11th-15th Centuries) This course presents the basic outlines of European economic development in the Middle Ages, with specific reference to the period between the 11th and 15th centuries, overcoming the Eurocentric vision. During the lectures, a number of sources of particular interest and of different types will be presented in relation to the topic addressed. Teaching will be facilitated through the use of images and historical maps. The course is divided into three parts: Part I. Some tools for analysing pre-industrial systems and economics: Definition of the economic system; Functions of the economic system; Market and its structure; Some theories of growth and development; Declination and usefulness of these elements for analysing medieval economic systems. Part II. Aspects of the economy in the Late Antiquity; Aspects of the economy in the early Middle Ages; The economic cycle in the late Middle Ages (11th-15th centuries): Population growth (11th-13th centuries); Expansion of agricultural and craft production; Fairs, markets, cities; Expansion of trade; Economic growth and development of Europe in the Middle Ages (11th- late 13th century): Why Western Europe? Political, economic, social and cultural prerequisites; Merchant enterprise and banking enterprise; Currency, credit, trust; Economic and demographic crisis (13th-14th centuries); Economic and social conflicts: famine as a factor in the redistribution of resources; Reorganisation and restructuring of the economic system (14th-15th centuries): Innovations and productivity; Role of institutions and public intervention. Part III. Case studies: A comparison between Western Europe and Central-Eastern Europe (the Kingdom of Hungary); A look at the economic and financial organisation of Rome between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance; Further case studies communicated during the course; Possible lecture on documentation in Roman archival structures.

No prerequisites required; but a basic examination of Medieval History is recommended.

Not compulsory.

Oral test, on each part of the programme. The learning assessment test will take the form of an interview exclusively in Italian. Foreign students will also take the test in Italian. They must possess more than good language skills, and express themselves in fluent Italian. Attending students will have to report not only on the compulsory texts, but also on all materials read, discussed, analysed, distributed in class, or possibly uploaded onto the chosen institutional IT platform. Non-attending students will only report on the bibliography indicated. There will be no examinations, in itinere tests, written or oral examinations during the course or even after the end of the lectures. The dates of the examinations will be entered in the InfoStud system according to the teaching calendar decided and distributed by the Faculty, and will be the institutional occasions for demonstrating the skills acquired.

Frontal/traditional teaching.