91188 - Laboratories (Lab9)

Course contents

The Laboratory reviews the different methodologies developed by historical research on international history and area studies. 

It will review how the use of different sources, from written documents to oral interviews and digital documents, have combined with the evolution of historiography in regard to topics and approaches during the XX and XXI centuries. 

The Laboratory is organized in frontal lectures (Microsoft Teams) by the Professor as well as by scholars on international history and area studies who will outline their research expertise, methodology as well as assessment on the use of historical sources. 

In academic year 2020/2021, the following scholars will make their contribution: 

Prof. Paolo Soave (University of Bologna) as for diplomatic hisotry and history of Italy foreign policy

Prof. Benedetto Zaccaria (University Ca' Foscari Venice) as for History of the European integration process and relations with European socialist countries

Prof.ssa Francesca Biancani (University of Bologna) as for history of the Middle East and North Africa, and Egypt 

Prof. Francesco Privitera (University of Bologna)as for History of Eastern Europe and the Balkans

Prof. Arrigo Pallotti (University of Bologna) as fro History of sub-Saharan Africa and the use of oral sources

Prof. Andrea Plebani (Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Milan) as for History of the Middle East and Iraq 

Prof. Loris Zanatta (University of Bologna) as for History of Latin America

Readings/Bibliography

Ennio Di Nolfo, Prima lezione di storia delle relazioni internazionali, Laterza, Bari, 2006

Further scientific readings will be provided by the Professor on the online platform of the University of Bologna

Teaching methods

The Laboratory is organized on Frontal Lectures followed by discussion

Assessment methods

In order to obtain the "Idoneità" a minimum of 80% of attendance is compulsory. Attendance will be registered at the beginning and at end of each class.

Before each Exam Session, students must submit a written essay along one of the two possibilities:

1. A written essay (max 5 pages) on the commonalities and differences on the use of sources in international history and area studies

2. A Proposal for Dissertation Thesis (max 3 pages) on a topic concerning international history. The proposal must focus on the sources and research methodology, in particular.

Teaching tools

Beyond suggested readings, all students are required to access and take vision some of the following online archives. 

1. International Organizations

United National and related agencies:

https://www.un.org/library

https://archives.un.org/content/explore-archives

https://digitallibrary.un.org

World Bank Group:

http://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/160371587056386053/69356-Open-Archives-Brochure-April-2020-update.pdf

https://oralhistory.worldbank.org

International Monetary Fund:

https://www.imf.org/en/About/Archives

2. National and Regional Sources:

European Union

https://www.eui.eu/Research/HistoricalArchivesOfEU

https://ec.europa.eu/historical_archives/index_en.htm

http://www.archivesportaleurope.net/home

Italy:

Italy Foreign Policy

http://www.farnesina.ipzs.it/series/

Senato della Repubblica

https://patrimonio.archivio.senato.it

Partito socialista italiano

https://patrimonio.archivio.senato.it/inventario/fondazione-turati/partito-socialista-italiano-psi-direzione-nazionale

Fondazione Lelio Basso, International Section

https://www.fondazionebasso.it/2015/archivio-storico/fondi-archivio/archivi-istituzionali/

Fondazione Gramsci - Partito Comunista italiano

https://www.fondazionegramsci.org/archivi/inventari-degli-archivi/

https://www.fondazionegramsci.org/archivi/inventari-degli-archivi/

Istituto Luigi Sturzo - Archivo Storico e Democrazia Cristiana

http://old.sturzo.it

http://old.sturzo.it/archivio-andreotti/l-archivio

United States of America:

Foreign Relations of the United States of America:

https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments

National Security Archives of the United States of America

https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/

United Kingdom's National Archives:

https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk [https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/]

Federal Republic of Germany Foreign Policy:

https://www.ifz-muenchen.de/aktuelles/themen/akten-zur-auswaertigen-politik/

https://www.ifz-muenchen.de/aktuelles/themen/akten-zur-auswaertigen-politik/open-access/

German Democratic Republic Foreign Policy:

https://www.ifz-muenchen.de/aktuelles/themen/akten-zur-auswaertigen-politik/zusatzdokumente-zur-edition-die-einheit/

France Foreign Policy:

https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/archives-diplomatiques/

3. Topic and Methodologies on International History:

Sources on the Cold War

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/program/cold-war-international-history-project

Sources on Contemporary International History:

https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blogs/sources-and-methods

Database on Arms Trade, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI):

https://www.sipri.org

International Social History:

International Institute of Social History

https://iisg.amsterdam/en

Sources on the Middle East and North Africa:

https://www.unescwa.org

https://hazine.info/

Office hours

See the website of Massimiliano Trentin