History

This course explores the relationship between theater and religion in Antiquity, from the Pharaonic era to the early Middle Ages. It examines the spaces and forms of possible interactions between dramatic performances and cultural practices, the identity of the actors involved, and the effectiveness of drama in the process of emotional and cognitive arousal, both individual and collective, within the religious experience.

This course is for non-History students only. In this course, the main events and developments in the history of the Netherlands during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries are explained, studied, and analyzed. Although the emphasis is on political history, a broad definition of politics is deliberately applied. Relevant social, cultural, and economic aspects are also covered in the lectures and the literature. Literature and primary sources are used alongside the lectures. Students analyze a historical aspect using a source of their own choice and provide a written report. Finally, their knowledge and understanding of the historical evolution are tested in an exam. This course is the equivalent of History of the Netherlands GE1V18004. 

Chile has experienced a series of political, economic, social and cultural upheavals during the twentieth century. This course examines the phenomenon of violence, memory, and amnesia through the history of political conflicts. It underlines the roles of silence, oblivion, repression, and humiliation in the formation of authoritative and dictatorial regimes and opposes them to the exaltation of memory in the legitimization of a cause. The course involves a diachronic analysis, introducing the historical and sociological context of nineteenth century Chile, before exploring the period stretching from the beginning of the twentieth century to the democratic transition in 1989, and concluding on the return of speech through the victims' testimony. From the rise of political consciousness to egalitarian combats, from conservative regimes to progressive governments, from the experience of Popular Unity to Pinochet's military coup, the study of Chile is a probing illustration of the intertwine of opposites and contraries shaping a collective consciousness. The course proposes a multidisciplinary point of view in order to embrace the complexity of political and cultural change, as well as an innovative pedagogy; historical archives, testimonies, and documentaries provide the background for a reflective study relying on systemic analysis and strong bases of methodology. Guest speakers from different fields (lawyers, authors, film directors) are invited to address the group, in order to share knowledge and experience, and give professional and personal points of views on different aspects of the course, stimulating an interactive conversation with the students.

This course examines the major developments in the field of Postcolonial Theory. The course starts with Said's observation that colonialism affected both the colonizing countries as well as the colonized peoples. As such, Postcolonial Theory provides a variety of methodological tools for analyzing literature and culture that are of special relevance in the age of globalization. Students focus on the development of a postcolonial consciousness, the implication of literature and other cultural forms in the colonizing process, and as forms of resistance. Students become familiar with all major issues in the field of Postcolonial Studies and acquire a number of theoretical perspectives that apply to the interpretation of literature and other forms of culture.

This course offers a cultural history journey of the Mediterranean, employing the lens of food as a unique entry point. Through critical reflection on the intricate interplay of tradition and innovation in food systems within Syracuse, Florence, and Istanbul, the course traverses the Mediterranean's evolution from antiquity to the modern era. The exploration analyzes the social history of exchanges, interactions, and cultural encounters, emphasizing their pivotal role in shaping sustainable food practices. Drawing upon the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as a guiding framework, the course facilitates an understanding of the relationship between innovation and sustainability in contemporary food systems. Key themes covered in the course are as follows: 1) Relational Dynamics: Explore regionalism, cosmopolitanism, and orientalism as distinct forms of relationality that shape cultural encounters within the Mediterranean. These dynamics, whether resulting in rapprochements or conflicts, provide a conceptual toolbox for comparative analysis across the three city modules. 2) Historical Impacts: Discuss the transformative impact of the opening of the Atlantic and the Columbian exchange on food systems and Mediterranean trade relations. Critically analyze imperial networks within the Mediterranean, highlighting the pivotal role of port cities as hubs for economic interactions among diverse cultures. 3) Cultural Encounters: Study various forms of cultural encounters and their implications for the development and transformation of regional and local identities. Through this exploration, students gain insights into the intricate dynamics that have shaped the cultural tapestry of the Mediterranean.
 

The course traces the trajectory of anti-colonialist thought in Latin American and the Caribbean from the beginning of the 20th century to the present, identifying relevant moments, as well as the main thematic, narrative, and political topics.