STORIA DI VENEZIA

Anno accademico
2018/2019 Programmi anni precedenti
Titolo corso in inglese
HISTORY OF VENICE
Codice insegnamento
SIE008 (AF:299075 AR:164602)
Modalità
In presenza
Crediti formativi universitari
6
Livello laurea
Corso di Perfezionamento
Settore scientifico disciplinare
M-STO/04
Periodo
I Semestre
Anno corso
1
Sede
VENEZIA
The course aims to investigate the features and turning points in the
history of one of the most renowned cities in Medieval and early
modern Mediterranean, and to offer analytical tools for
understanding contemporary Venice and its challenges. It stresses
the importance of history in shaping a collective identity and in
understanding and defending its architecture and its works of art.
Why is Venice such a fascinating city? What creates its unique atmosphere, that enchanted writers and travelers? And how was the city able to grow and flourish for centuries? This course will try to offer some answers with an overview of the long history of Venice from its origins to the end of its “republican” government in 1797, briefly taking into account also its more recent past. Lessons will highlight the general dynamics that shaped its society and economy in a long-term perspective, but several aspects related to its form and buildings will also be taken into account. The city is at the core of any lesson, but references to European, and more broadly global, history will be included.
Contents will consider (but will not be limited to):
- The city and the lagoon: how the city was built, and why, in such an apparently hostile environment
- Expansion and decline: one thousand years of history
- The structure: parishes and campi, bell towers and palaces
- The lion: why an African mammal represents a city and its state
- The government and the patriciate: why St Mark’s place is important (and so visited)
- The economy and the building of a commercial empire
- Venetian material world: sugar, silks, beads, and violins
- The myth of Venice
One lesson will be devoted to a guided tour of the most relevant places highlighted in calss.
The reference text for the entire course is Frederic C. Lane, Venice: A
Maritime Republic, Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore and
London, 1973, selected chapters and pages. Further readings will
eventually be added.
Whenever possible, reading material will be made available as pdf at
least the day before each lesson on the online platform of this
course.
Lectures. Students are invited to debate the topics which will be
taught in class. Powerpoints of each lesson will be made available the
day before.
English
Written test.
Programma definitivo.