HIST 380 – Florence: The Story of the City

Since its Roman origins, through its internecine conflicts and artistic and literary flourishing, the history of Florence is highly representative of the history of Italy. Moreover, Florence was the cradle of some philosophical, artistic, and political ideas that were key in shaping the Western World. This course will help students find their bearings across this unique city, identify its most celebrated spaces, and understand how the city has changed and how it has been shaped by the character of its people. This will entail the exploration of its both well-known as well as hidden landscape and social spaces. The course will be divided into class lectures with PowerPoint presentations and outdoor explorations.

Students will become aware of the changes that took place in the city through the centuries and how individuals and groups shaped both the character of the city and its cultural scene. Each week a list of readings will be assigned from primary sources, along with a few questions to help students concentrate on the texts.