Global Humanities - Studi umanistici globali

What is global history? And how do historians go global? Global history is deeply transforming the traditional academic field of "history" around the world. It aims to transcend borders and nations, "as a form of historical analysis in which phenomena, events and processes are placed in global contexts" (Conrad 2016). Such a definition calls history, its methods and perspectives into question. As a result, even the most classic chronological definitions - the ones that every handbook presents to students - must be questioned: What does "medieval," "Renaissance," or "modern" mean when we break away from the common European narrative? This course will discuss these questions by analyzing them on a methodological level. We will focus on recent debates on global history and reflect together on their sources, their successes and even their weaknesses. The first part of the course will provide an overview of chronologies, primary and secondary sources, and turning points in the history of historiography. In the second part, specific lessons will be devoted to global turning points in medieval, early modern, modern and contemporary history. A specific focus will be devoted to Holocaust History, on the basis of Sami Modiano’s autobiography. This 3 CFU course is a required prerequisite for passing all 9 first-year CFU history exams: Medieval History; Early Modern History; Modern and Contemporary History. Students must register through the official account @studenti.uniroma1.it to the Google Classroom of the course FAQ We will not answer the information published here by e-mail. 1) How many CFUs does the methodology provide? Methodology (3CFU - I semester) is a mandatory preliminary exam for all general history courses (6CFU). The full exam (9CFU) takes place at the end of the second semester (starting in June) and we evaluate all of the student's work. 2) Can I book this methodology exam through Infostud? NO. Methodology does not have its own code on Infostud: you cannot register only for this exam or take only 3CFU in February. 3) Can I take the 9CFU exam in the first semester? Early Modern History could be taken in first semester. Medieval,and Modern and Contemporary History are taken in the second semester: no possibility to take these twp exams before June 2026, and no possibility to take the exam without having passed Methodology in time . We do not allow students to take only general history exams (no exception) 4) Where can I find all the information about the course? All information about the course will be posted in our classroom. Students must register through the official account @studenti.uniroma1.it 5) Where can I find my grade after the written exam? We will post the grade on Google Classroom. The professors of the second semester will check it in the same Google Classroom. For this reason, students should never delete their account until they have passed all their history courses!

Not needed

Compulsory readings: Sebastian Conrad, What is global history? (Princeton University Press, Princeton e Oxford: 2016) Sami Modiano, For this I lived. My life at Auschwitz-Birkenau and other exiles, Roma, Sapienza Università Editrice, 2022 Chapters and articles about single case studies (available on classroom)

Attendance is not mandatory but is strongly encouraged. This 3 CFU course is a required prerequisite for passing all 9 first-year CFU history exams: Medieval History; Early Modern History; Contemporary History; History of the Books Students must register through the official account @studenti.uniroma1.it to the Google Classroom of the course

Written examination on the content of the compulsory reading and on the case studies discussed in the course. A list of specific exam topics will be provided at the beginning of the course. The grades follow a scale from A to D : - A is the highest grade. - C/D is passing grade - D is considered insufficient, We will set two dates for the exam: - mid-December - end of February

The course will be organized into traditional lessons and debates. Students will be encouraged to participate actively to the lessons and to discuss primary sources and methodological issues. This 3 CFU course is a required prerequisite for passing all 9 first-year CFU history exams: Medieval History; Early Modern History; Contemporary History; History of the Books Students must register through the official account @studenti.uniroma1.it to the Google Classroom of the course