Workshop: Towards the Final Paper: Doing and Writing Historical Research (Contemporary Age)
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The objective of the workshop is twofold: on the one hand, it provides the primary basics about the tools (methodological, bibliographical and archival) of the research conducted from a source indicated by the instructor, and on the other hand to teach the student how to process research result in the written form.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the workshop, the student will have acquired the knowledge of the main types of sources of contemporary history and the main tools of research. They will be able to orient themselves to the documentation of the contemporary age (those published and, at least partially, along with unpublished ones). They will then be able to use the language tools (language properties, correct specific lexicon) to express in written form, clearly and effectively, the results of the research conducted under the guidance of the instructor.
These skills will be acquired through a direct and ongoing meeting with the teacher in the classroom; The discussion around the proposed sources will provide additional time of critical reflection and methodological learning. Individual work will also be of great importance, with reports assigned by the instructor and then discussed collectively.
These skills will be acquired through a direct and ongoing meeting with the teacher in the classroom; The discussion around the proposed sources will provide additional time of critical reflection and methodological learning. Individual work will also be of great importance, with reports assigned by the instructor and then discussed collectively.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
1st Semester - Edition 1
Lesson period
First semester
- University credits: 3
Humanities workshops: 20 hours
1st Semester - Edition 2
Lesson period
First semester
- University credits: 3
Humanities workshops: 20 hours
2nd Semester - Edition 1
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The workshop will provide students with the methodological skills needed to conduct historical research on the contemporary age, illustrating the steps required for drafting a paper.
The program will include the following phases:
- Identification and delimitation of a field of investigation;
- Explanation of the different research methods (bibliographic, online, archival) and their respective tools;
- Presentation of different kind of sources and the methodologies to approach them;
- Instructions on writing: structure, editorial rules, and supporting materials;
- Practical individual or group exercise: identification of a topic, conducting research, and preparing/presenting a paper.
The program will include the following phases:
- Identification and delimitation of a field of investigation;
- Explanation of the different research methods (bibliographic, online, archival) and their respective tools;
- Presentation of different kind of sources and the methodologies to approach them;
- Instructions on writing: structure, editorial rules, and supporting materials;
- Practical individual or group exercise: identification of a topic, conducting research, and preparing/presenting a paper.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission.
To apply for admission to the workshop, for a limited number, it is mandatory to follow the instructions on the webpage "Laboratori" of the History degree course website: https://storia.cdl.unimi.it/it/insegnamenti/laboratori
To apply for admission to the workshop, for a limited number, it is mandatory to follow the instructions on the webpage "Laboratori" of the History degree course website: https://storia.cdl.unimi.it/it/insegnamenti/laboratori
Teaching methods
Attendance at lectures is mandatory.
The first part of the workshop will focus on the general principles of historical research and the different stages of drafting.
In the second part, there will be a gradual application of the methodologies discussed, with increasing class participation in critical text analysis, engaging with different kind of sources, and developing a clear and accurate presentation.
The final phase of the workshop will focus on the practical application of the tools and methodologies through an exercise conducted under the teacher's supervision: students will be required to identify a topic and draft a research outline, which will be evaluated at the end of the workshop.
The first part of the workshop will focus on the general principles of historical research and the different stages of drafting.
In the second part, there will be a gradual application of the methodologies discussed, with increasing class participation in critical text analysis, engaging with different kind of sources, and developing a clear and accurate presentation.
The final phase of the workshop will focus on the practical application of the tools and methodologies through an exercise conducted under the teacher's supervision: students will be required to identify a topic and draft a research outline, which will be evaluated at the end of the workshop.
Teaching Resources
The teacher will provide materials during the workshop.
For a general overview of the content and methodologies covered, it is recommended to read the manual by V. Vidotto, "Guida allo studio della storia contemporanea", Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2006.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
For a general overview of the content and methodologies covered, it is recommended to read the manual by V. Vidotto, "Guida allo studio della storia contemporanea", Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2006.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
In the second part of the workshop, students will identify, under the instructor's supervision, several research topics to which they will apply the methodologies presented during the lectures. This parallel activity will aim at drafting a paper that will be evaluated.
- Evaluation criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; ability for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of expression, competence in the use of specialised lexicon, efficacy and clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: approval of 3 CFUs.
The format of the assessment for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the lecturer, in agreement with the office in charge (serviziodsa@unimi.it or ufficiodisabili@unimi.it).
- Evaluation criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; ability for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of expression, competence in the use of specialised lexicon, efficacy and clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: approval of 3 CFUs.
The format of the assessment for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the lecturer, in agreement with the office in charge (serviziodsa@unimi.it or ufficiodisabili@unimi.it).
2nd Semester - Edition 2
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The aim of the laboratory is to provide students with the tools necessary to make and write historical research.
The first part of the course will be used to explain what a thesis is, how a research and study topic is defined, how bibliographic and archival investigations are carried out, how the material is selected and where it is found, what it means writing down the search results and how you do it. With respect to this last aspect, it will be explained how important it is to draw up a project that, starting from an index, shows logical and structural coherence between its various parts. A suitable space will also be dedicated to the apparatus of the notes and to the method for their correct preparation.
The second part of the Laboratory, on the other hand, will see the exhibition of the work done by the students individually or in groups. In fact, participants will be asked to select a topic, carry out a bibliographic search, compose an index and propose a work plan. On this project it will be possible to be more precise when the number of participants will be effectively known.
The first part of the course will be used to explain what a thesis is, how a research and study topic is defined, how bibliographic and archival investigations are carried out, how the material is selected and where it is found, what it means writing down the search results and how you do it. With respect to this last aspect, it will be explained how important it is to draw up a project that, starting from an index, shows logical and structural coherence between its various parts. A suitable space will also be dedicated to the apparatus of the notes and to the method for their correct preparation.
The second part of the Laboratory, on the other hand, will see the exhibition of the work done by the students individually or in groups. In fact, participants will be asked to select a topic, carry out a bibliographic search, compose an index and propose a work plan. On this project it will be possible to be more precise when the number of participants will be effectively known.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission.
Teaching methods
Class attendance is mandatory. The Laboratory consists of lessons aimed at providing the student with the basic tools for conducting a research on contemporary history:
- find the bibliography using the available research tools (catalogs and online repertoires, dictionaries, databases);
- know the main types of sources: consult the published documentation and be able to orient yourself in the panorama of the unpublished one;
- to elaborate in writing the results of the research, adopting appropriate linguistic tools and applying the editorial settings of a three-year degree thesis.
These skills will be acquired first through the performance of classroom activities, and later through the individual development of a thesis project formed, starting from the identification of a topic discussed in class, by title, index, bibliography, description of the topic, identification of sources. The discussion in the classroom with the teacher is an integral part of the teaching method and aims to promote the critical spirit and the ability to apply the skills and knowledge acquired to the student.
- find the bibliography using the available research tools (catalogs and online repertoires, dictionaries, databases);
- know the main types of sources: consult the published documentation and be able to orient yourself in the panorama of the unpublished one;
- to elaborate in writing the results of the research, adopting appropriate linguistic tools and applying the editorial settings of a three-year degree thesis.
These skills will be acquired first through the performance of classroom activities, and later through the individual development of a thesis project formed, starting from the identification of a topic discussed in class, by title, index, bibliography, description of the topic, identification of sources. The discussion in the classroom with the teacher is an integral part of the teaching method and aims to promote the critical spirit and the ability to apply the skills and knowledge acquired to the student.
Teaching Resources
Reference materials will be provided by the teacher.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: evaluation at the end of the course
- Type of examination: in itinere assessment and at the end of the course, on the basis of attendance of lectures and writing of a short essay
- Evaluation criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; ability for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of expression, competence in the use of specialized lexicon, efficacy, clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: approval of 3 CFU.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
- Type of examination: in itinere assessment and at the end of the course, on the basis of attendance of lectures and writing of a short essay
- Evaluation criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; ability for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of expression, competence in the use of specialized lexicon, efficacy, clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: approval of 3 CFU.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Professor(s)