This course is an introduction to the investigation of industrial capitalism not as an economic system but rather as a hegemonic cultural system that invades all aspects of daily life. We will explore key metaphors of industrial society: the market, the commodity, the clock, the railway, the machine, the parlor, the street, the empire. Through a selection of significant readings in this field – readings which include some of the most creative cultural histories of the last couple of decades – we will discuss how these metaphors conditioned men's and women's behavior and consciousness.

The course aims to introduce both well established, influential and canonical texts, as well as cutting edge, ground breaking approaches towards historical research. The students will learn to understand the readings, to extract their main arguments, to be sensitive to the method used and to develop a critical stance toward the reading material. In addition, the course aims to examine together with the students some of the basic assumptions and fundamental questions of modern historical thought.

The course is based on a good deal of reading of variety of texts, exposure to works of art, music and film, which will be discussed in class in detail. This will be accompanied by a reflective process on the modes of learning and inference. The course includes a seven-day tour to the city in which students will get to know the city while actively exchanging knowledge on sites, historical contexts, works of art and the like.