27276 - Laboratory (1) (Med.)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the workshop students will be able to plan a research path, collecting, selecting and organizing data and documentary information thanks to the specific tools acquired during the course unit; they will be able to analyse documentary, material and iconographic sources in a critical light and from a diachronic perspective. They will able to write a short text without assistance. They will have learned to be methodologically rigorous and precise. Attuned to group work, they will have learned judgment on a professional, human and ethical plane.

Course contents

The workshop consists of a first part, common for all students of the History degree course, totalling 12 hours. The first part is followed by a second part, specific to the chosen chronological area (in this case, Medieval History), lasting 18 hours.

 

Sign-up Instructions

IMPORTANT: It is necessary to sign up for one of the two general parts and, at the same time, for the specific Workshop of chronological area (in our case Medieval History). You can sign up by sending an email to Prof. Maria Pia Casalena (mariapia.casalena@unibo.it) starting from 1 September 2023 until 20 October 2023. Applications will be accepted until the 25 places available for each workshop are fully booked.

 

First part programme

The first part of the Workshop consists on the examination of bibliographic tools of general interest, that will also be presented in the digital version. These tools will be useful for the preparation of a degree thesis in historical disciplines (total of 12 hours).

The first part is held twice, students can sign up to one of the two options, according to their preference and available places:

Option 1: Oct. 2023: 2, 3 // 9, 10 // 16, 17 – 1 p.m.-3 p.m. - Aula Morandi, or
Option 2: February 2024: 5, 12, 19 - 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Aula Gualandi and 6, 13, 20 - 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Aula Specola

 

Second part programme (For Medieval History Students only)

This part is also primarily aimed at the production of a dissertation and, more generally, scientific papers (total of 18 hours).

A general introduction will therefore be devoted to some specific issues:

1. The choice of theme and supervisor

2. The selection and reading of the bibliography (some topics already covered in the section on bibliographical resources will be quickly recalled)

3. Finding archival sources and analysing documentation (which will be the core of the Workshop)

4. How to cite primary and secondary sources

5. The writing of the thesis and its internal organisation

Core activities will focus on direct knowledge of the main reference sources to provide the basic tools and skills needed to write the thesis. In particular, we will focus on:

- Analysis of the different types of sources and their exegesis, through reference editions and with some excursus in the direction of direct reading of manuscripts.

- Exercises based on the documentation conserved in the Archivio di Stato di Bologna. The main ways of accessing its vast documentary heritage will also be examined.

- Critical reading of sources concerning specific case studies.

 

ATTENTION: IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE FINAL QUALIFICATION, ATTENDANCE OF 25 HOURS OUT OF THE TOTAL OF 30 IS MANDATORY, INCLUDING AT LEAST 8 HOURS OUT OF THE 12 IN THE FIRST PART.

Readings/Bibliography

• P. Delogu, Introduzione alla storia medievale, Bologna, il Mulino, 2003
• M. Bloch, Apologia della storia o mestiere di storico, Torino, Einaudi, 2009
• Fonti medievali. Un'antologia, a c. di T. Di Carpegna Falconieri, A. Feniello, C. Grasso, Roma, Carocci, 2017
• Teaching materials provided during the course

Teaching methods

During the lessons, the students will actively participate in reading and analysing the proposed texts.

If there is the possibility, a didactic visit to the Archivio di Stato di Bologna will be organised.

Assessment methods

- The verification consists of the presentation of a source, which can be about the thesis if already agreed upon or be freely chosen by students.

- A 5-7 page paper (10-14,000 characters) related to the source itself should be produced, accompanied by a Power Point presentation to be shown to the lecturer and fellow students.

- Papers must be handed in to the lecturer at least three days before the date chosen for the exam. The presentation, independent of the paper, may take place during the last lesson of the workshop or during the exam. Its duration will be 10 minutes.

- From the evaluation of the paper and its presentation, the lecturer in the exam will check

- the knowledge of the topics addressed during the lessons;

- the mastery of research tools and methods specific to the medieval field.

Possession of this knowledge and ability and, in general, active participation in the activities proposed during the workshop will lead to an evaluation of eligibility.

ATTENTION: IN ORDER TO OBTAIN THE FINAL QUALIFICATION, ATTENDANCE OF 25 HOURS OUT OF THE TOTAL OF 30 IS MANDATORY, INCLUDING AT LEAST 8 HOURS OUT OF THE 12 IN THE FIRST PART

Teaching tools

Reproductions or editions of the sources analysed in class will be made available.

Office hours

See the website of Antonella Campanini