96451 - Laboratory in Preparation of the Thesis (1) (G.C)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the laboratory the student: knows the main research methodologies in the respective field of study; acquires an in-depth knowledge of the structure and organization of an argumentative text; is able to collect and organize primary and secondary sources, and to write a bibliography; knows how to apply appropriate editorial criteria in the finalization of the text.

Course contents

The Thesis preparation workshop is aimed in particular at students who intend to write their thesis on topics related to theatre studies (e.g. history of theatre, history of dance, history of dramaturgy, organisation and economics of performing arts, set design, etc.), but it also offers tools that are entirely suitable for other disciplines.

During the workshop, at least the following topics will be covered:

• what a thesis is;
• identifying the topic of the thesis;
• defining the structure of the thesis;
• bibliographic, videographic and sitographic research;
• use of sources (textual, iconographic, videographic, oral);
• research methods;
• organisation and drafting of the text (formatting, notes,
• bibliography, appendices);
• drafting of the abstract and definition of keywords.

 

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office ( [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en]) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Readings/Bibliography

During the classes, the following manuals will be referred to. They will not be used as study texts, but as useful tools for setting up and writing the thesis:

• Umberto Eco, Come si fa una tesi di laurea, Milano, La nave di Teseo, 2017
• Vera Gheno, La tesi di laurea. Ricerca, scrittura e revisione per chiudere in bellezza, Bologna, Zanichelli, 2019
• Cristiana Natali, L'intervista semistrutturata come strumento di ricerca, in Roberta Bonetti - Cristiana Natali, La pratica della ricerca antropologica. Strumenti e metodologie, Carocci, Roma 2024, pp. 19-44

Teaching methods

The Course will consist of both frontal lectures (designed to outline some general guidelines, share working methodologies and offer reference examples) and classroom exercises, to be carried out individually or in small groups.

A few educational field trips will also be organised to archives, libraries and the RAI archives, in order to offer some concrete examples of research methods.

Assessment methods

Laboratory activities do not result in a grade but in a pass/fail assessment. Students who attend at least 80% of the lessons are considered to be attending.

Active participation by students is strongly recommended, and attendance may be verified through online questionnaires or by filling out registers and signature sheets.

Those who wish to attend the workshop are required to send an email requesting enrolment, indicating whether a thesis topic has already been defined and, if so, which one. The email should be sent to the lecturer, Elena Cervellati (e.cervellati@unibo.it), and the tutor, Dianora Hollmann (dianora.hollmann2@unibo.it), by Monday 2 February 2026, preferably earlier.



Those who are unable to attend the lessons should contact the lecturer to agree on a personalised programme and assessment methods.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office ( [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en]) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

Reading and analysis of textual documents, viewing and analysis of videos and images, visits to archives and libraries, classroom exercises.

Office hours

See the website of Elena Cervellati