SOCIAL HISTORY OF GAMES AND LEISURE

The discipline belongs to the core educational activities of the Master’s Degree Programme in History from the Middle Ages to Present. Those activities prepare students to specialize in history in and outside Europe, acquiring a specific understanding of the principles of historiographic practice and of the methodology of investigation of different types of sources, also the original ones. The discipline belongs to the core educational activities of the Master’s Degree Programme in History of Arts and Conservation of Artistic Heritage, Contemporary curriculum.
The purpose of the course is to conduct a historiographical study of the part played by the ludic system in social affairs over the long term. The chronological perspective on the role of games therefore ranges from the classical tradition to the XX century. A series of case studies will aim to identify the function that leisure activities and festivities, free time and sports have had in the economic field, in culture, daily life and social behaviour over the centuries.

Since play, games and in general ludicity are intrinsically something other than serious – goes the logic – it follows that play and games are not serious and therefore it is not serious to study play and games and their various forms. But this odd syllogism becomes decidedly shaky if one considers how games and game-playing can stir the fiercest passions, cause fortunes to be lost, mobilize masses and release tremendous energies, attract sometimes preposterously huge capital, and so on. In addition the ludicity and logic of the game are fundamental in a series of expressions of the life of society: from the economy, to political choices and, in general, in the many fields touched by the game theory. The study of ludicity must therefore be recovered as an essential tool for the general history of societies.

Expected disciplinary results. Attendance and individual study allow the student to acquire extensive knowledge on the play system over the centuries and on the role it plays in different moments and contexts; to face the historiographical debate on the specific themes dealt with in full autonomy; to investigate exemplary cases with critical capacity, both through the analysis of contemporary testimonies and the study of critical literature in the sector; to know how to present the acquired knowledge orally with a language suitable for the discipline.

Enrolment for the course is not dependent on passing an entrance test or specific exams. The degree dissertation will require a knowledge of two foreign languages.

The course will focus on "The nature and development of ludicity in the evolution of social structures".
The subjects brought into closer focus will be: A) ludicity: a new concept - B) a theoretical debate about play, game, sport, free time - C) between classical culture and the Middle Ages - D) the Modern Age and the theory of civilization - E) gambling and economy: the "baratteria" - F) - G) towards the contemporary.

Attending students:
- lessons notes;
- two volumes chosen from those indicated, at the bottom, in the "Referral texts".

Further specific bibliography will be indicated during the lessons.

Non attending students:
-three/four volumes among those indicated, at the bottom, in the "Referral trexts" and, anyway, to be agreed with the teacher, according to specific interests.

"Referral texts"
-- "Il gioco e la guerra nel secondo millennio", a cura di P. Del Negro e G. Ortalli, Viella
-- "Europe, Sport, World. Shaping Global Societies", ed. J.A. Mangan, Frank Cass
-- "Spazi e tempi del gioco nel Settecento", a cura di B. Alfonzetti e R. Turchi, Edizioni di storia e letteratura
-- P. Battilani, "Vacanze di pochi vacanze di tutti. L'evoluzione del turismo europeo", Il Mulino
-- N. Elias-E. Dunning, "Quest for excitment. Sport and Leisure in the Civilizing Process" (ed. it. "Sport e aggressivita", Il Mulino)
-- D.G. Kyle, "Spectacles of Death in Ancient Rome", Routledge
-- J. McClelland - B. Merilees, "Sport and Culture in Early Modern Europe. Le Sport dans la Civiliisation de l'Europe Pré-Moderne", CRRS
-- J.M. Mehl, "Les jeux au royaume de France du XIII au debut du XVI siècle", Fayard
-- M. Merdrignac, "Le sport au Moyen Age", Presses Universitaires de Rennes
-- G. Ortalli, "La pittura infamante. Secoli XIII-XVI", Viella
-- G. Ortalli, "Barattieri. Fra economia ed etica. Secoli XIII-XV", Il Mulino
-- F. Rausa, "L'immagine del vincitore", Viella
-- A. Rizzi, "Ludus/ludere. Giocare in Italia alla fine del medio evo", Viella.

For attending students: oral exam based on the topics covered in class and two volumes chosen from those indicated in the "Reference texts".

For non-attending students: oral exam based on three / four volumes among those indicated in the "Reference texts" and, in any case, to be agreed with the teacher, based on specific interests.

If compatible with the number of students, lessons will take the form of seminars.

Italian

Students who follow the lessons are strongly advised to take the examination as soon as possible after the end of the course. All students are in any case required to choose a volume to be included as an integral part of the examination. Examinees who have not attended lessons are required to have read two of the above-mentioned volumes

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