This is the intro I use to Contemporary Italian History and Geography, but it also stands alone.

1. Studying History and Culture Dr. Peter Cullen University of Urbino Carlo Bo Winter 2010

2. What does it mean to study history? The language process uses a code to communicate a message from a producer to a receiver – but: Each variable depends on its relationship to the other variables for understanding to happen. Producer code message communication receiver understanding Feedback loop at each stage = memory + memory = shared experience = common history

3. What does it mean to study history? The language process uses a code to communicate a message from a producer to a receiver – but: Each variable depends on its relationship to the other variables for understanding to happen. Producer code message communication receiver understanding Feedback loop at each stage = memory + memory = shared experience = common history

4. What does it mean to study history? History is a cultural account of shared experience. Culture operates with a similar process. It includes language, but also: Physical relationships with the internal and external environments (mind – body, nature – nurture) based on the sensory perception. Psychological perception, processing, memory and physical activation.

5. Studying Culture and History Prof. Peter Cullen University of Urbino Carlo Bo Winter 2010

6. What does it mean to study history? The language process uses a code to communicate a message from a producer to a receiver – but: Each variable depends on its relationship to the other variables for understanding to happen. Producer code message communication receiver understanding Feedback loop at each stage = memory + memory = shared experience = common history

7. What does it mean to study history? History is a cultural account of shared experience. Culture operates with a similar process. It includes language, but also: Physical relationships with the internal and external environments (mind – body, nature – nurture) based on the sensory perception. Psychological perception, processing, memory and physical activation.

9. What is the role of culture in society? People are socially dependent. Social dependency requires communication of some form to: Establish behaviour – NORMS Reinforce accepted or functional behaviour Learn boundaries of acceptance/refusal The learning feedback loop makes culture active: It is the ways in which a society establishes, reinforces, and limits its behaviours within the group.

11. What is the role of culture in the history? The concepts and actions that we define as “historical” are bound by culture. What are some concepts of “history”

19. Observed environments change according to Braudel’s construct: i.e. global warming : long term patterns (40,000 year glacial cycles) conjunctural patterns – last 150 years = +.5°C event patterns – last 3 years – polar ice melting Agricultural societies changes dramatically with environmental cycles at all three rates. What about industrial societies? What about service sector societies? Understanding change over time

20. Understanding change over time

24. For example: Naomi Klein claims that branding is not only marketing – its production. This reflects Bourdieu: interaction between belief, learning, production This interaction requires time (interpretation, memory, application) Understanding this interaction requires analysis of contextual change over time Change, culture and historical process

27. Today, differences in regional economic performance are considered in relation to the “path to industrialisation” taken by any state or region. This is called “ path dependence ”. Path dependence theory introduces “dynamic” analysis” of society. As a theory, it began as a way of explaining different “ paths ” to industrialisation. The problem is: relatively static institutions are self-renewing, creating an “ institutional culture ” that puts itself at the centre of socialisation and behaviour. Change, culture and historical process

30. Historical knowledge is the best approach we have for understanding differences between communities and societies – essential in globalised contexts. Oh yeah, why are you here?

31. What is the role of culture in the economy? Value: The establishment of value is abstract, fluxuating, and dependent on the cultural feedback loop. It combines primary necessity with utility (abstract) Today, we use money to establish value. Luca Fantacci – money is: a means of exchange a measure of value a reserve of value All dependent on the cultural feedback loop.

32. What is the role of culture in society? TIME: a dependent variable The concept of time measures the rate of change. It is a tool. Tools are objects invented by man to interact with the internal and external environment. i.e. Memory/activity requires time production, distribution, consumption require time The approach to time is fundamental in social interaction It is fundamental to understanding historical change

33. How does the culture of time affect in the economy? “ Time is money” – an American concept This is not true in real terms, but the metaphor guides American business practices. Can American concepts of time, expressed and learned in their business practices, be applied in other parts of the world – such as Italy ? Why? Why not? How? Why is this an important question for Italians ?

34. Abu-Lughud’s 13° Century World System

41. Soil Characteristics in Italy

43. U.S. Bureau of the Census

45. Grain Harvest in the Marches (1940’s)

46. Threshing Grain (1940’s)

47. Water Powered Flour Mill

48. Baking Equipment (1950’s)

49. The Cattle Market (1939)

50. A Land-owner on His Horse

51. Women’s Work?

52. Men’s Work? (transhumance )

53. Field Accomodations for Migrant Labourers in Northern Lazio

54. Pressing Wine