History of the Age of Reformation and Counter-Reformation

The course aims to offer the intellectual elements of the history of Age of Reformation and Counter-Reformation as well as the guidelines and historiographic languages relating to the period under consideration. The course also aims to provide lexical and conceptual tools suitable for both scientific and popular historical communication.

The course aims to introduce participants to the historical reflection on the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, opening them to the use of published and unpublished sources and the printed and online bibliographic tools essential for the study of the Early-Modern Age. Through the analysis of concrete examples, students will be introduced to different methodologies of historical investigation and the study of archival documentation. At the end of the course students will be able to critically read primary sources and scientific texts relating to the historical period under consideration and develop independent reflections on the main historical and historiographical issues related to the Reformation and Counter-Reformation. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom: in particular, through critical reflection on documents and texts proposed for individual analysis and participation in seminar activities. These will be expressed during the course, through presentation and discussion by the students - individually or in groups - regarding documents proposed by the instructor.
Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.