78792 - LABORATORIO DI LETTURA CRITICA

Learning outcomes

By participating in one of the social and civic skills workshops, students develop effective and constructive knowledge and skills for a healthy and fruitful coexistence. Upon completion of the workshop, students will be able to leverage social, civic, historical, and intercultural skills useful for analyzing structures, phenomena, and mechanisms operating in the socio-political and legal spheres. They will have acquired the tools and knowledge that enable active and informed participation in public life. They will also be able to critically interpret significant aspects of public and political life, at the national and/or international level, equipped with tools and concepts useful for developing reflective and participatory citizenship.

Course contents

This workshop aims to provide students with the skills necessary for critically reading academic research and effectively communicating its findings through oral presentations supported by digital tools such as Microsoft PowerPoint.

The course will guide students through all phases of planning and producing an academic presentation, from defining the research question to the final presentation.

Particular attention will be paid to the following aspects:
- understanding the communicative objectives of an academic presentation;
- formulating a clear and well-defined research question;
- analyzing the audience and adapting the message;
- bibliographic research and source selection;
- critical reading of scientific literature;
- identifying arguments, empirical evidence, and limitations of the sources used;
- constructing a coherent and well-structured presentation;
- designing effective and accessible visual aids;
- using graphs, tables, images, and other visual communication tools;
- public speaking techniques.

During the course, each student will develop an individual presentation based on a critical analysis of academic literature on a topic of interest in political science and international studies.

At the midpoint, each student will present a short elevator pitch about their project, aimed at gathering feedback from the instructor and colleagues. In the second part of the workshop, students will work specifically on slide design and developing oral communication skills, culminating in a final presentation of their work.

At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- formulate a clear and relevant research question;
- select and critically evaluate relevant scientific literature;
- construct a coherent and evidence-based argument;
- design an academic presentation consistent with a specific communication objective;
- design effective visual aids appropriate to the communication context;
- present research findings orally with clarity and rigor.

Readings/Bibliography

Reference text:

Joan van Emden, Lucinda Becker, and Anastasia Becker, Presentation Skills for Students, 4th edition, Bloomsbury Academic.

Additional teaching materials, presentation examples, and scholarly articles will be made available by the instructor during the course.

Teaching methods

The course is held in person in laboratory mode and combines lectures, guided discussions, practical exercises and peer feedback activities.

Assessment methods

Attendance is mandatory and is a prerequisite for qualifying.

During the workshop, each student will:

- develop an individual presentation based on academic sources;
- present an interim pitch for their project;
- actively participate in workshop activities and group discussions;
- create and present a final version of their work, taking into account - feedback received during the course.

Qualifying will be awarded to students who demonstrate:

- formulate a clear and relevant research question;
- select and critically utilize relevant academic sources;
- develop a coherent and evidence-based argument;
- design effective and appropriate visual aids;
- communicate orally in a clear, structured, and rigorous manner;
- participate actively and constructively in workshop activities.

Teaching tools

Scientific texts, PC, video projector, PowerPoint, laser pointer for presentations

Office hours

See the website of Diego Garzia