BMET 25A18 - Reading Economic History: Sources, Tools, and Approaches

This course delves into the study of economic and financial history thorugh the critical reading and analysis of primary sources. It explores the interplay between historical dynamics, economic theories, and financial institutions, providing students with the tools to interrogate the past through sources such as treaties, accounting records, letters, and policy records. A central feature of the course is its engagement with historiographical debates, emphasizing howinterpretations of economic and financial history have evolved over time. Students will explore key controversies, from the causes of economic crises to the role of trade networks in shaping global capitalism, while critically assessing the arguments proposed. The course also prioritizes the study of methodologies employed in the discipline, introducing students to approaches such as quali/quantitative analysis, comparative history, and the integration of social and cultural perspectives into economic narratives. Through a combination of lectures, readings and analyses of archival material, this course provide the students with the analytical skills and historiographical knowledge necessary for understanding and interpreting main economic and financial historical turning points.

Flavia CANESTRINI,Elisa GRANDI

Atelier

English

Spring 2024-2025

• Participation and Reading Responses (40%): Active participation in class discussion and submission of written reports on the readings. • Primary Source Analysis (20%): A written assignment focusing on the critical analysis of a selected primary source as a historical evidence. • Team Project and Presentation (40%): Collaborative work in groups of 2–3 students, where you select a methodological approach and a historical topic to analyze. The project will culminate in a final presentation highlighting your findings and analysis.