84521 - Workshop On Diplomatic Documents Reading

Learning outcomes

The students are expected to acquire an in-depth ability in analyzing, interpreting, and placing in their historical context the diplomatic documents that will be discussed during lab's hours. By the end of the seminar, the students are expected to develop a capacity of applying useful methodologies for critically assessing and comparing the structure, the relevance, and the main characteristics of a wide variety of documents, from international treaties to diplomatic reports, from memoirs to cultural interpretations of the everyday political life.

Course contents

The workshop will start on the 22d of February, as for the program and the syllabus, both will be ready for the day before and will be introduced to you during the first class of the workshop.

The specific theme of the workshop is: “The US and the World“

Through the reading of primary sources, the aim is to analyze the role played by the United States in some specific turning points of international history, not juts in the military and political realm, but also from the perspective of cultural influence. Through the reading of original documents produced by the main political, diplomatic, and military actors and their interpretations but also by the analysis developed by international organizations, NGOs and lobbies, students will be able to better understand the historical and political process of construction and transformation of US international role.

A selected bibliography will be offered (it’s not compulsory but just suggested), as well as a selection of the documents to be introduced by the students themselves in a seminar modality.

Readings/Bibliography

Suggested bibliography:

 

Melvyn P. Leffler, Odd Arne Westad, The Cambridge History of the Cold War, Origins, Volume 1, Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Melvyn P. Leffler, Odd Arne Westad, The Cambridge History of the Cold War, Crisis and Détente, Volume 2, Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Melvyn P. Leffler, Odd Arne Westad, The Cambridge History of the Cold War, Endings, Volume 3, Cambridge University Press, 2010.

Teaching methods

Introduction to the topic and the documents chosen for each class.

Critical reading and seminarial work.

Assessment methods

Evaluation on the basis of students' participation, presentations and debates.

Students are required to attend the laboratory. Class attendance is mandatory.

Teaching tools

Documents will be uploaded in Virtuale before the beginning of the class.

Power Point

Office hours

See the website of Angela Santese