Laurea Magistrale (Second cycle degree/Two year Master - 120 ECTS) in Historical sciences

The goal of the 2nd cycle degree programme in Historical Sciences is to supply a specific in-depth education in the history of the ancient, mediaeval, modern and contemporary world, as part of a comprehensive picture of general knowledge of the history of the world from its origins to our times. The course units supply a specialised level of historical knowledge, methods and practice, so that students can use all the sources and historiography of their specific in-depth period in a critical manner. The degree programme aims to give complete command over reading, analysis and heuristic methods applied to the different types of literary, documentary, archive, iconographic and monumental material; it also entails knowledge and use of the most recent technological instruments and applications, as well as adequate knowledge of the investigation techniques used on original sources. The degree programme allows students to practise communicating the results achieved in writing and orally, in Italian and at least one foreign language from among those usually used in the sector. The subjects covered extend from political history to institutional structures, economic and settlement systems, ideological, religious, cultural and gender aspects, and the underlying interactions and connections which are always to be included among the various forms of historical investigation.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:

Graduates:

- will possess critical, detailed in-depth knowledge of a broad historical period, of the specific lines of the historiographical debate and of the various approaches, methods and subjects pertaining to the chosen period;

- will possess critical knowledge of the concepts of time-period and spatial definition for analysis of the processes of transition, continuity and interaction among cultures;

- will understand and know how to evaluate relations and connections of historical studies with other humanistic sciences and will be able to work within interdisciplinary contexts;

- will know the techniques of heuristics, editing and analysis of textual, iconographic and material sources and will know how to apply bibliographical and archive research tools, instruments for writing about collections and corpora; they will also know how to perform comparative analysis of documents.

The above knowledge and understanding will come through attending lectures, workshops, seminars and/or internships, as well as through practical tasks and home study, as prescribed by the Degree Programme Regulations.

Assessment is mainly through exams and/or intermediate tests (oral and/or written exams, tests and presentation of project reports).

APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:

Graduates:

- will know how to collect, catalogue and comment, using original historical sources, in at least one age of the traditional classification of time-periods;

- will know how to organise and collect complex information in a consistent form, and be able to apply methods of critical analysis, working independently and conscientiously for the conservation of the historical-documental and environmental heritage (including the remains of material culture);

- will know how to define an important research problem for historical debate and be able to identify and use the appropriate sources of information to tackle it, maintaining awareness of the consequences of lacking data.

An ability to apply such knowledge and understanding will form through critical reading of texts set for home study and prompted by classroom activities, as well as by learning through direct experience.

Assessment is mainly through exams and/or intermediate tests (oral and/or written exams, tests, oral presentations).

MAKING JUDGEMENTS:

Graduates:

- will know how to recognise the importance of the historical memory in contemporary culture and the role of history in fostering a scientific and critical approach;

- will know how to work conscientiously towards production of high-quality contents utilisable through the many channels of circulation and popularisation of science and culture;

- will be able to gauge the implications of the various means of communication, popularisation and education;

- will possess the skills to approach texts and data critically and evaluate their differeing influence in historiographical discussion;

- will have learnt to identify the specific contribution that historical sciences can give in dealing with subjects and problems of collective interest.

Judgement skills are developed and assessed through practical activities, organised seminars, internship experiences, preparation of reports, as well as during the tasks assigned in preparation of the final exam.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Graduates:

- will know how to communicate in writing and orally using the different models and registers for communicating historical disciplines, including educational and popularisation techniques geared to the context and the recipient of the message and safeguarding the scientific quality of the historical information;

- will know how to relate in mixed cultural contexts and appreciate the various cultures in a critical manner;

- will know how to give narrative form to research results, documenting the information upon which conclusions are based in an accurate and complete manner, and giving critical accountability for the historiographical methods and approaches used.

Written and oral communication skills are developed during seminars, workshops and practical activities and are assessed during each exam.

LEARNING SKILLS:

Graduates:

- will have IT skills and know how to use specific techniques and languages of the new information and communication technologies so as to process, catalogue and render usable sources, metadata and results of scientific research for the disciplines studied; they will also be able to evaluate the implications of various means of communication, popularisation and learning;

- will know how to update research knowledge and methodologies through comparison and learning suitable to their skills and inclinations, through the tools fine-tuned by the scientific community, utilising multimedia resources and independently consulting historiographical texts in original languages in addition to Italian;

- will be aware of the value of information among different disciplines and know how to identify the specific contributions that historical sciences can bring to different contexts.

- will be able to recognise the opportunities for comparison and learning most appropriate to their own skills and inclinations;

- will have acquired methodological strictness and be capable of self-criticism, analysis and concision.

Learning skills are acquired by the student and assessed during the degree programme as a whole, especially in home study activities set for each exam, in preparing individual and/or group projects and towards the final exam.