Shaping Cities: Capitalism and Early Modern Urban Form

Have you ever wondered how global economies influenced the very fabric of the cities we inhabit? This course explores the profound impact of emerging capitalist systems on urban design, architectural creation, and material culture during the early modern period. By reading through historical case studies and conceptual frameworks, you will develop a critical understanding of how economic forces like monetization, trade, and commodification transformed urban spaces, architecture, and everyday objects. You'll gain insight into the historical roots of contemporary urban patterns and the enduring relationship between economics and urban form. What you'll learn: * Understand the key characteristics of early modern capitalism and its impact on society. * Analyze how economic systems influenced the design and development of urban environments. * Examine the commodification of art, architecture, and material objects in historical contexts. * Explore specific case studies of chapels, palaces, and prints as economic artifacts. * Practice interpreting historical sources to connect economic trends with urban and cultural shifts. The course begins by defining early modern economic concepts and their social implications, then transitions to detailed explorations of how these concepts manifested in urban planning, architectural projects, and the creation of material culture across different European regions. This course is designed for absolute beginners interested in urban history, economic history, art history, or architectural studies, with no prior knowledge required. Begin your journey into the fascinating interplay of commerce and culture in early modern cities.