Economic and Social History of the Early Modern Age
A.Y. 2024/2025
Learning objectives
The course aims to encourage students to think independently and critically about economic and social systems. It covers fundamental concepts and issues of the economy, society, politics, and international economic relations from the 17th to the 19th centuries. This course is designed for History students at the Faculty of Humanities and those enrolled in Master's programs who want to gain advanced knowledge and skills in European and international economic and social history of the early modern age.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: students should gain a better understanding of the main historical-economic concepts and fundamental topics of the economic and social history of the early modern age in the different space-time contexts and should be able to master the main historiographical issues.
Skills: be able to interpret data and information regarding the history of a given economy, linking facts and phenomena and understanding the interrelationships between the various historical aspects (institutional, economic, political and social); knowing how to communicate their knowledge coherently and organically, using the terminology and concepts of the discipline; being able to critically read primary sources and scientific texts relating to the historical period under examination.
Skills: be able to interpret data and information regarding the history of a given economy, linking facts and phenomena and understanding the interrelationships between the various historical aspects (institutional, economic, political and social); knowing how to communicate their knowledge coherently and organically, using the terminology and concepts of the discipline; being able to critically read primary sources and scientific texts relating to the historical period under examination.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
The course will commence on Monday, 16th September 2024, at 16:45 (Location: Festa del Perdono-Santa Sofia, specific classroom to be confirmed). and will continue on Wednesday at 16:45 and Friday at 12:30.
COURSE: The Birth of Global Capitalism: Europe - Asia Economic Relations from the 17th to the 19th Century
This course explores the evolution of economic relations between Europe and Asia, focusing on the eastern, southern, and southeast Asian regions from the 17th to the 19th century within a global context.
The recent re-evaluation of Asia's development during the modern age emphasizes its advanced production capabilities, trade networks, and economic and social complexity. This prompts questions about the temporary European economic and military dominance in various Asian regions. Thus, the course seeks to address the conditions and limitations of European presence in Asia, in contrast to the traditional history of European economic empire-building.
The course will be divided into three parts:
1. Examination of Western states' economic policies, merchants' strategies, and the role of European companies (particularly the English EIC and the Dutch VOC) in Asia. This will include discussions on the emergence of a global economy and the impact on international trade networks and products.
2. Exploration of the different economic and social realities of India, China, Japan, and South-East Asia, and their integration into the world economy due to European and reciprocal economic and cultural influences.
3. Analysis of the 19th century, focusing on the Great Divergence between European, American, and Asian economies, and the forced opening of markets in China, and Japan through unequal treaties and terms of trade imposed by the West. The course will conclude with a discussion of the significant role of India and China in the modern world economy.
COURSE: The Birth of Global Capitalism: Europe - Asia Economic Relations from the 17th to the 19th Century
This course explores the evolution of economic relations between Europe and Asia, focusing on the eastern, southern, and southeast Asian regions from the 17th to the 19th century within a global context.
The recent re-evaluation of Asia's development during the modern age emphasizes its advanced production capabilities, trade networks, and economic and social complexity. This prompts questions about the temporary European economic and military dominance in various Asian regions. Thus, the course seeks to address the conditions and limitations of European presence in Asia, in contrast to the traditional history of European economic empire-building.
The course will be divided into three parts:
1. Examination of Western states' economic policies, merchants' strategies, and the role of European companies (particularly the English EIC and the Dutch VOC) in Asia. This will include discussions on the emergence of a global economy and the impact on international trade networks and products.
2. Exploration of the different economic and social realities of India, China, Japan, and South-East Asia, and their integration into the world economy due to European and reciprocal economic and cultural influences.
3. Analysis of the 19th century, focusing on the Great Divergence between European, American, and Asian economies, and the forced opening of markets in China, and Japan through unequal treaties and terms of trade imposed by the West. The course will conclude with a discussion of the significant role of India and China in the modern world economy.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific prerequisites (other than those required for admission to the degree programme).
Teaching methods
Lectures will cover the course topics and will be supported by study materials such as maps, tables, graphs, websites, documents, and printed sources. Discussion, critical reflection and participation in initiatives proposed by the lecturer are essential parts of the course. Teaching materials will be provided by the lecturer from time to time and will form part of the students' study program. Attendance is compulsory in order to pass the exam as a supervised student, and students must attend at least 70% of the classes.
Teaching Resources
Attending students (1,2,3):
1. Learning materials provided during the course
2. one text (6CFU) or two texts (9CFU) chosen from the list below:
-.Silvia A. Conca Messina, Profitti del potere. Stato ed economia nell'Europa moderna, Laterza, 2016
- Findley R., O'Rourke K., Potere e ricchezza. Una storia economica del mondo (a cura di G. Conti, M.C. Schisani), Utet Università, 2016, chapters 1, 2, 3 e 4 (pp. 81-262 and 357-487)
- Osterhammel, Jürgen, Storia della Cina moderna: secc. 18-20, Einaudi, 1992, the first section (p. 228 included- chapter 9 included).
3. together with 2 articles/chapters (both for 9CFU and 6CFU) chosen from the following list (all available online, via Minerva Exlibris or Jstor Unimi):
-.Beverly Lemire, and Genovese Maddalena. "Plasmare la domanda, creare la moda: l'Asia, l'Europa e il commercio dei cotoni indiani (XIV-XIX secc.)." Quaderni Storici 41, no. 122 (2) (2006): 481-507. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43779548.
- Ciriacono, Salvatore (2007). "Scambi commerciali e produzione di beni di lusso nel Giappone del periodo Edo. Una lettura storiografica." Quaderni Storici, vol. 42, no. 125 (2), 2007, pp. 591-621. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43779598
- -- Macpherson WJ. "The Tokugawa background (c. 1600-1860). In: The Economic Development of Japan 1868-1941, Cambridge University Press; 1995:17-24 https://www-cambridge-org.pros2.lib.unimi.it/core/books/economic-development-of-japan-18681941/tokugawa-background-c-16001860/9F2A192C6E84FC47BBCD19DDA91558AE
- Riello Giorgio and Roy Tirthankar (2009), Introduction: the World of South Asian Textiles, 1500-1850, in Riello, G., & Roy, T. (Eds.), How India Clothed the World: The World of South Asian Textiles, 1500-1850: Brill. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1163/j.ctv2gjwskd
- Goody, J. (1996). Cap. 4, The growth of Indian commerce and industry. In The East in the West (pp. 113-137). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/east-in-the-west/D045038BC3C91471FFBD97FD20C5AC98
- Roy, Tirthankar. (2020). Cap. 2, Transition to Colonialism 1707-1857 in The Economic History of India, 1857-2010 (pp.17-65): Oxford University Press. https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780190128296.001.0001/oso-9780190128296-chapter-2
- Robins, Nick (2012). Cap. 3 Out of the Shadows. In The Corporation That Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational (pp. 41-60): Pluto Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt183pcr6.10
- Robins, Nick (2012). Cap. 8 The Toxic Exchange. In The Corporation That Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational (pp. 41-60): Pluto Press. https://doi-org.pros1.lib.unimi.it/10.2307/j.ctt183pcr6.15
During the course, there may be additional elective readings that will be recommended.
Non attending students (1 and 2):
1. three texts (9 CFU) or two 2 texts (6CFU) chosen from the list below:
- Silvia A. Conca Messina, Profitti del potere. Stato ed economia nell'Europa moderna, Laterza 2016
-. Findley R., O'Rourke K., Potere e ricchezza. Una storia economica del mondo (a cura di G. Conti, M.C. Schisani), Utet Università, 2016, chapters 1, 2, 3 e 4 (pp. 81-262 eand357-487)
-. Osterhammel, Jürgen, Storia della Cina moderna: secc. 18-20, Einaudi, 1992, (up to p. 228 - chapter Nine included).
2. together with 2 articles/chapters (both for 9CFU and 6CFU) chosen from the list below (all available online, via Minerva Exlibris or Jstor Unimi):
-. Beverly Lemire, and Genovese Maddalena. "Plasmare la domanda, creare la moda: l'Asia, l'Europa e il commercio dei cotoni indiani (XIV-XIX secc.)." Quaderni Storici 41, no. 122 (2) (2006): 481-507. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43779548.
- Ciriacono, Salvatore (2007). "Scambi commerciali e produzione di beni di lusso nel Giappone del periodo Edo. Una lettura storiografica." Quaderni Storici, vol. 42, no. 125 (2), 2007, pp. 591-621. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43779598
- - Macpherson WJ. "The Tokugawa background (c. 1600-1860). In: The Economic Development of Japan 1868-1941, Cambridge University Press; 1995:17-24 https://www-cambridge-org.pros2.lib.unimi.it/core/books/economic-development-of-japan-18681941/tokugawa-background-c-16001860/9F2A192C6E84FC47BBCD19DDA91558AE
- Riello Giorgio and Roy Tirthankar (2009), Introduction: the World of South Asian Textiles, 1500-1850, in Riello, G., & Roy, T. (Eds.), How India Clothed the World: The World of South Asian Textiles, 1500-1850: Brill. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1163/j.ctv2gjwskd
- Goody, J. (1996). Cap. 4, The growth of Indian commerce and industry. In The East in the West (pp. 113-137). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/east-in-the-west/D045038BC3C91471FFBD97FD20C5AC98
- Roy, Tirthankar. (2020). Cap. 2, Transition to Colonialism 1707-1857 in The Economic History of India, 1857-2010 (pp.17-65): Oxford University Press. https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780190128296.001.0001/oso-9780190128296-chapter-2
- Robins, Nick (2012). Cap. 3 Out of the Shadows. In The Corporation That Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational (pp. 41-60): Pluto Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt183pcr6.10
- Robins, Nick (2012). Cap. 8 The Toxic Exchange. In The Corporation That Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational (pp. 41-60): Pluto Press. https://doi-org.pros1.lib.unimi.it/10.2307/j.ctt183pcr6.15
Different elective readings can be chosen in agreement with the teacher.,
Dear Erasmus students, if you prefer to take the exam in English, please reach out to the teacher well before the scheduled exam session via email. Your proactive communication will help ensure a smooth and successful exam experience. Thank you.
1. Learning materials provided during the course
2. one text (6CFU) or two texts (9CFU) chosen from the list below:
-.Silvia A. Conca Messina, Profitti del potere. Stato ed economia nell'Europa moderna, Laterza, 2016
- Findley R., O'Rourke K., Potere e ricchezza. Una storia economica del mondo (a cura di G. Conti, M.C. Schisani), Utet Università, 2016, chapters 1, 2, 3 e 4 (pp. 81-262 and 357-487)
- Osterhammel, Jürgen, Storia della Cina moderna: secc. 18-20, Einaudi, 1992, the first section (p. 228 included- chapter 9 included).
3. together with 2 articles/chapters (both for 9CFU and 6CFU) chosen from the following list (all available online, via Minerva Exlibris or Jstor Unimi):
-.Beverly Lemire, and Genovese Maddalena. "Plasmare la domanda, creare la moda: l'Asia, l'Europa e il commercio dei cotoni indiani (XIV-XIX secc.)." Quaderni Storici 41, no. 122 (2) (2006): 481-507. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43779548.
- Ciriacono, Salvatore (2007). "Scambi commerciali e produzione di beni di lusso nel Giappone del periodo Edo. Una lettura storiografica." Quaderni Storici, vol. 42, no. 125 (2), 2007, pp. 591-621. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43779598
- -- Macpherson WJ. "The Tokugawa background (c. 1600-1860). In: The Economic Development of Japan 1868-1941, Cambridge University Press; 1995:17-24 https://www-cambridge-org.pros2.lib.unimi.it/core/books/economic-development-of-japan-18681941/tokugawa-background-c-16001860/9F2A192C6E84FC47BBCD19DDA91558AE
- Riello Giorgio and Roy Tirthankar (2009), Introduction: the World of South Asian Textiles, 1500-1850, in Riello, G., & Roy, T. (Eds.), How India Clothed the World: The World of South Asian Textiles, 1500-1850: Brill. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1163/j.ctv2gjwskd
- Goody, J. (1996). Cap. 4, The growth of Indian commerce and industry. In The East in the West (pp. 113-137). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/east-in-the-west/D045038BC3C91471FFBD97FD20C5AC98
- Roy, Tirthankar. (2020). Cap. 2, Transition to Colonialism 1707-1857 in The Economic History of India, 1857-2010 (pp.17-65): Oxford University Press. https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780190128296.001.0001/oso-9780190128296-chapter-2
- Robins, Nick (2012). Cap. 3 Out of the Shadows. In The Corporation That Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational (pp. 41-60): Pluto Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt183pcr6.10
- Robins, Nick (2012). Cap. 8 The Toxic Exchange. In The Corporation That Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational (pp. 41-60): Pluto Press. https://doi-org.pros1.lib.unimi.it/10.2307/j.ctt183pcr6.15
During the course, there may be additional elective readings that will be recommended.
Non attending students (1 and 2):
1. three texts (9 CFU) or two 2 texts (6CFU) chosen from the list below:
- Silvia A. Conca Messina, Profitti del potere. Stato ed economia nell'Europa moderna, Laterza 2016
-. Findley R., O'Rourke K., Potere e ricchezza. Una storia economica del mondo (a cura di G. Conti, M.C. Schisani), Utet Università, 2016, chapters 1, 2, 3 e 4 (pp. 81-262 eand357-487)
-. Osterhammel, Jürgen, Storia della Cina moderna: secc. 18-20, Einaudi, 1992, (up to p. 228 - chapter Nine included).
2. together with 2 articles/chapters (both for 9CFU and 6CFU) chosen from the list below (all available online, via Minerva Exlibris or Jstor Unimi):
-. Beverly Lemire, and Genovese Maddalena. "Plasmare la domanda, creare la moda: l'Asia, l'Europa e il commercio dei cotoni indiani (XIV-XIX secc.)." Quaderni Storici 41, no. 122 (2) (2006): 481-507. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43779548.
- Ciriacono, Salvatore (2007). "Scambi commerciali e produzione di beni di lusso nel Giappone del periodo Edo. Una lettura storiografica." Quaderni Storici, vol. 42, no. 125 (2), 2007, pp. 591-621. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43779598
- - Macpherson WJ. "The Tokugawa background (c. 1600-1860). In: The Economic Development of Japan 1868-1941, Cambridge University Press; 1995:17-24 https://www-cambridge-org.pros2.lib.unimi.it/core/books/economic-development-of-japan-18681941/tokugawa-background-c-16001860/9F2A192C6E84FC47BBCD19DDA91558AE
- Riello Giorgio and Roy Tirthankar (2009), Introduction: the World of South Asian Textiles, 1500-1850, in Riello, G., & Roy, T. (Eds.), How India Clothed the World: The World of South Asian Textiles, 1500-1850: Brill. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1163/j.ctv2gjwskd
- Goody, J. (1996). Cap. 4, The growth of Indian commerce and industry. In The East in the West (pp. 113-137). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/east-in-the-west/D045038BC3C91471FFBD97FD20C5AC98
- Roy, Tirthankar. (2020). Cap. 2, Transition to Colonialism 1707-1857 in The Economic History of India, 1857-2010 (pp.17-65): Oxford University Press. https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780190128296.001.0001/oso-9780190128296-chapter-2
- Robins, Nick (2012). Cap. 3 Out of the Shadows. In The Corporation That Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational (pp. 41-60): Pluto Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctt183pcr6.10
- Robins, Nick (2012). Cap. 8 The Toxic Exchange. In The Corporation That Changed the World: How the East India Company Shaped the Modern Multinational (pp. 41-60): Pluto Press. https://doi-org.pros1.lib.unimi.it/10.2307/j.ctt183pcr6.15
Different elective readings can be chosen in agreement with the teacher.,
Dear Erasmus students, if you prefer to take the exam in English, please reach out to the teacher well before the scheduled exam session via email. Your proactive communication will help ensure a smooth and successful exam experience. Thank you.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Final oral examination:
The teacher will assess: clarity of presentation, ability to argue, accuracy of terminology, completeness, correct space-time orientation, and ability to link facts and phenomena.
The teacher will assess: clarity of presentation, ability to argue, accuracy of terminology, completeness, correct space-time orientation, and ability to link facts and phenomena.
SECS-P/12 - ECONOMIC HISTORY - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Conca Silvia Antonia
Shifts:
Turno
Professor:
Conca Silvia AntoniaProfessor(s)
Reception:
Please schedule an appointment via email
Please, contact via e-mail the teacher to schedule an appointment