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The course aims to provide the ability to understand and apply the fundamentals of historical research methodology, especially through the use of national and international archival and library systems (including online). It also aims to refine the ability to conduct documentary and bibliographic research using both paper and digital tools.

Based on the Dublin Descriptors, upon completion of the course, students should achieve the following outcomes:

1- Knowledge and understanding: the ability to analyze, select, and distinguish primary and secondary sources of historical research; to identify their typology, provenance, the purposes underlying their production, the degree of intentionality, and the information they provide not only about the events to which they refer, but also about the context in which they were produced;

2- Applied knowledge and understanding: the ability to use the acquired skills to reconstruct the historiographical debate on modern and contemporary events; to navigate interpretations; to critically evaluate documentary sources to establish their authenticity and reliability and place them in their context;

3- Independent judgment: ability to develop critical thinking on historiography and sources;

4- Communication skills: ability to communicate and participate in public debate on pressing current issues and their historical origins, critically reconstructing their evolution, different interpretations, events, and actors;

5- Learning skills: ability to continue learning independently (including through the identification of texts and primary sources); ability to develop research projects, including the development of the current state of the art, bibliography, sources, research questions, and objectives; ability to write a scientific text with historical content.

Recommended.

For the purposes of project preparation and ongoing assessments, students who have achieved at least 70% attendance at the end of the course are considered attending.

The course will guide students in a critical analysis of historical sources, through a reflection on the concepts of truthfulness and reliability, as well as on the method of contextualization, deciphering and use. Further focuses will concern: the distinction between primary and secondary sources; access and consultability; conservation systems.

Knowledge of the world of libraries and archives (also through the use of online collections and catalogues) will be implemented by guided tours and workshops that will allow students to use the historian's "toolbox".

At the end of the course, a research project is expected to be carried out.

1. Handouts prepared by the teacher (freely downloadable from Studium)
2. Multimedia presentations and audiovisual materials selected, prepared and provided by the teacher during the lessons

Knowledge will be assessed through exercises, tests, and workshops during class. At the end of the course, students will be asked to develop a research project, the presentation of which will be an integral part of the final assessment, and will be accompanied by an oral exam on the theoretical part of the program.

Grading will follow the following scheme:

Failed

Significant deficiencies and significant inaccuracies in knowledge and understanding of the topics covered.

Insufficient analytical and synthesis skills.

Frequent generalizations.

Inappropriate use of references.

18-20

Impairments in knowledge and understanding of the topics covered, which settle at a barely adequate level.

Analytical and synthesis skills not sufficiently refined.

Barely appropriate use of references.

21-23

Slightly more than adequate knowledge of the topics covered.

Coherent arguments, although not particularly original.

Appropriate use of references, at the standard level.

24-26

Good knowledge and understanding of the topics covered.

Good analytical and synthesis skills.

Coherent presentation of the topics.

Appropriate use of references, at the standard level.

27-29

More than good knowledge of the topics covered.

Remarkable analytical and synthesis skills.

Use of references beyond the standard, through in-depth study of the topics.

30-30L

Excellent knowledge and understanding of the topics covered.

Remarkable analytical and synthesis skills.

Use of references well beyond the standard, through significant in-depth study.

• Truthfulness and reliability of sources
• The context
• Deciphering a source: the criteria
• The 5 W method
• How to use index cards and inventories
• Building a bibliography
• Archive research
• How to set up a research project