The course analyse the topic of European expansion between XV-XVIIIth cent. and the making of the European overseas empires in the long period. Special attention will be devoted to the more recent World History perspectives. Seminar includes some elements of post-colonial criticism, dwelling in particular on the topic of the meeting with the others and their diversity; on the changes and consequences in the ecological and cultural environment. Other topics will be studied such as: the making of the first “World economy”; times and consequences of the “Columbian Exchange” including the demographic collapse of the american natives and diffusion of the massive Atlantic slavery.