Economic and Social History (16th-18th centuries)

Objectives

1) Identify the main dynamics of economic and social development in Western Europe during the modern period;
2) Understand the historical roots of modern economic growth within the context of globalization and the emergence of a global economy.
3) Understand the role played by economic and non-economic factors in the historical evolution of pre-industrial societies;
4) Become familiar with the main and most recent historiographical interpretations of the studied topics;
5) Develop oral and written presentation skills, incorporating appropriate vocabulary and conceptual discourse for economic and social history.

General characterization

Code

01110387

Credits

6.0

Responsible teacher

Susana Margarida Munch Miranda

Hours

Weekly - 4

Total - 168

Teaching language

Portuguese

Prerequisites

Available soon

Bibliography

  • Duplessis, Robert S., Transitions to Capitalism in Early Modern Europe: Economies in the Era of Early Globalization, c. 1450-c.1820. 2ª edição, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2019.
  • Blanning, T. C. W., Short Oxford History of Europe, vol. 3, The Eighteenth Century (1688-1815). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000
  • Kwass, Michael, The Consumer Revolution, 1650-1800, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2022.
  • Wiesner, Merry E. Early Modern Europe, 1450-1789. Vol. 2.,Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006.
  • Zwart, Pim de and Zanden, Jan Luiten van, The Origins of Globalization. World Trade in the Making of the Global Economy, 1500-1800. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2018.

Teaching method

The classes will take a theoretical-practical approach. In addition to magistral lectures for content delivery, students' oral participation plays an important role in promoting self-learning. For this purpose, students will be invited to reflect on some program content in the classroom using textual sources, historiographical texts, or quantitative data (organized in charts and tables). This material will be available to students at the beginning of the semester. Practical sessions will account for approximately 30% of total contact hours.

Evaluation method

Continuous assessment - The assessment consists of three components: a midterm test, which accounts for 45% of the grade; a final test, also weighted at 45%; and oral participation and attendance in practical classes, which contribute the remaining 10%. In assessing participation, both the quantity and quality of contributions are considered."(100%)

Subject matter

1. The European economies on the eve of the first globalization. Economic structures, "institutions," and barriers to economic growth.
2. The demographic ancien régime': between cycles of growth and stagnation. Size, growth and distribution of the European population.
3. The European agricultural economy: cycles of expansion and contraction. The "long sixteenth century". Stagnation in the seventeenth century: A Malthusian crisis?
4. Manufacturing: tradition and innovation. The role of colonial markets.
5. The first globalization. Trade, capital, and consumption in the formation of a global economy.
6. From proto-industry to the first wave of industrialization. The foundations of English dominance.
7. Society. Representation of society. Social vocabulary and the "society of orders". Urbanization and social mobility. The consolidation of noble power. The rise of the bourgeoisie. The dissolution of the society of orders.

Programs

Programs where the course is taught: