Teaching Workshop
A.Y. 2021/2022
Learning objectives
The objective of the laboratory is twofold: on the one hand, to guide the student to identify a research topic in Economic History and to elaborate in written form the results; on the other hand, provide the primary basics concerning the tools (methodological, bibliographic and archival) necessary to carry out research, with the autonomous production of an index and a bibliography.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop, the student will have acquired the knowledge of the main research tools and types of sources for economic history. They will be able to navigate the editing of the document, which is at least unpublished, in addition to writing a bibliography, an index and, possibly, the first chapter of a research paper conducted under the guidance of the lecturer. Finally, they will then be able to use the language tools (language properties, correct specific lexicon) to express in written form, clearly and effectively, the results of the research. These skills will be acquired through a direct and ongoing meeting with the instructor in the classroom; The discussion around the proposed sources will provide additional time of critical reflection and methodological learning as well as bibliographic acquisition. Individual work will also be of great importance, with reports assigned by the instructor and then discussed collectively. Students unable to attend will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, investigate special readings proposed by the instructor to strengthen their knowledge, and of course contact the instructor both by email and during the office hours.
Lesson period: Second semester
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Edizione 1
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/22 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Course syllabus
The theoretical lectures will cover the following content:
- How to define a research topic for an Economic History final paper.
- How to write an outline, how to write an index.
- How to do a bibliographical research
- How to organise a scientific essay
- How to work with sources: primary sources, secondary sources, printed sources, bibliographic sources
- How to write notes
The research topic proposed by the professor for the academic year 2021/2022 is as follows:
A livable city? The evolution of the cost of housing in Milan from the Second World War to our present (to be studied in relation to the variation of wages).
Alternative themes can be developed by the students in relation to Economic History in all its aspects, these can therefore be inspired as much by Professor Maifreda's course as by the curiosity of the student.
Those, who should choose to deepen a different theme from the one proposed by the teacher, must show, since the first lessons, to have a good knowledge of the bibliography on the topic and the ability to problematize a research question.
- How to define a research topic for an Economic History final paper.
- How to write an outline, how to write an index.
- How to do a bibliographical research
- How to organise a scientific essay
- How to work with sources: primary sources, secondary sources, printed sources, bibliographic sources
- How to write notes
The research topic proposed by the professor for the academic year 2021/2022 is as follows:
A livable city? The evolution of the cost of housing in Milan from the Second World War to our present (to be studied in relation to the variation of wages).
Alternative themes can be developed by the students in relation to Economic History in all its aspects, these can therefore be inspired as much by Professor Maifreda's course as by the curiosity of the student.
Those, who should choose to deepen a different theme from the one proposed by the teacher, must show, since the first lessons, to have a good knowledge of the bibliography on the topic and the ability to problematize a research question.
Prerequisites for admission
The Workshop is addressed to students of all courses of the three-year degree in History.
Students who have already taken and passed the exam of Economic History of Professor Germano Maifreda, and who intend to take the final paper in Economic History in the year 2022, will be admitted.
Interested students will be able to pre-register, on the Ariel page of the degree program (https://cdlsss.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/Home/), on the appropriate forum, starting by 12 noon on February 28, 2022 and until 12 noon on the day before the beginning of classes.
In case the number of students enrolled in the course exceeds the established limits, the last selection criterion will be the chronological order of enrolment.
Students who have already taken and passed the exam of Economic History of Professor Germano Maifreda, and who intend to take the final paper in Economic History in the year 2022, will be admitted.
Interested students will be able to pre-register, on the Ariel page of the degree program (https://cdlsss.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/Home/), on the appropriate forum, starting by 12 noon on February 28, 2022 and until 12 noon on the day before the beginning of classes.
In case the number of students enrolled in the course exceeds the established limits, the last selection criterion will be the chronological order of enrolment.
Teaching methods
The course consists of a series of 5 theoretical lessons on techniques and methods of writing a degree paper, alternating with 5 practical lessons of a highly interactive nature, in which students will discuss the progress of their work with the teacher and with their colleagues.
From the first lesson, the teacher will present to the class a study theme, on which the examples and discussions of the entire course will be focused. The lecturer will guide the work on the theme, providing, pointing out, or suggesting research material, bibliographical references, and historiographical problems.
Students will be offered the opportunity to do their final paper on an issue related to the proposed topic, thus participating actively and competently in a scholarly discussion on the same; by entering into the nodes of a topic, students will collectively experience authentic research and will be facilitated in the completion of their final work.
All students will of course be allowed to delve into a different research topic; those who choose this second option will also be asked to respect the deadlines dictated by the teacher for their colleagues, and to show the ability to organise their work independently.
Students will be required to actively participate in both classroom and non-classroom work. Those who, at the discretion of the teacher, are not actively participating in both practical and theoretical lessons, will not be guaranteed the opportunity to carry out the final paper in Economic History.
From the first lesson, the teacher will present to the class a study theme, on which the examples and discussions of the entire course will be focused. The lecturer will guide the work on the theme, providing, pointing out, or suggesting research material, bibliographical references, and historiographical problems.
Students will be offered the opportunity to do their final paper on an issue related to the proposed topic, thus participating actively and competently in a scholarly discussion on the same; by entering into the nodes of a topic, students will collectively experience authentic research and will be facilitated in the completion of their final work.
All students will of course be allowed to delve into a different research topic; those who choose this second option will also be asked to respect the deadlines dictated by the teacher for their colleagues, and to show the ability to organise their work independently.
Students will be required to actively participate in both classroom and non-classroom work. Those who, at the discretion of the teacher, are not actively participating in both practical and theoretical lessons, will not be guaranteed the opportunity to carry out the final paper in Economic History.
Teaching Resources
English-speaking students must directly contact the lecturer for specific references.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Successful completion of the course is contingent upon:
- the attendance of 80% of the lectures
- the presentation of a written paper, which will consist of the introduction and the first chapter of the thesis.
Both the active attendance to the classes, and the writing of a good quality paper are essential requirements in order to obtain the 3 CFU.
- the attendance of 80% of the lectures
- the presentation of a written paper, which will consist of the introduction and the first chapter of the thesis.
Both the active attendance to the classes, and the writing of a good quality paper are essential requirements in order to obtain the 3 CFU.
Edizione 2
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
More specific information on the delivery modes of training activities for academic year 2021/22 will be provided over the coming months, based on the evolution of the public health situation.
Course syllabus
Syllabus:
1. How to define a research topic for a final dissertation in economic history.
2. Classroom work on research topics identified by students.
3. How to write an index.
4. Classroom work on indexes presented by students.
5. How to do a literature search (by the Historical Sciences Library).
6. Hands-on exercise on searching with OPAC.
7. Primary sources, secondary sources, printed sources, bibliographic sources, and footnotes.
8. Practical exercises on bibliography and footnotes.
9. How to structure a scientific essay.
10. Presentation (written and oral) of a short scientific essay (first chapter of the final dissertation).
The research topics concern economic history in all its aspects, with particular attention to monetary and financial history.
From the second lesson onwards, students will be asked to develop, present and discuss a research topic on modern or contemporary economic history, based on their personal interests and on the topics presented by the teacher.
The research topic will be discussed and defined during the Workshop and will be developed by the students in an index, in a bibliography and, finally, in a final essay, which will be evaluated and will be the basis for the writing of a possible dissertation in economic history.
The Workshop will be organized in theoretical lessons, which will provide the methodological basis, and practical lessons, in which students will practice writing a part of the text and will be able to submit it to the teacher.
1. How to define a research topic for a final dissertation in economic history.
2. Classroom work on research topics identified by students.
3. How to write an index.
4. Classroom work on indexes presented by students.
5. How to do a literature search (by the Historical Sciences Library).
6. Hands-on exercise on searching with OPAC.
7. Primary sources, secondary sources, printed sources, bibliographic sources, and footnotes.
8. Practical exercises on bibliography and footnotes.
9. How to structure a scientific essay.
10. Presentation (written and oral) of a short scientific essay (first chapter of the final dissertation).
The research topics concern economic history in all its aspects, with particular attention to monetary and financial history.
From the second lesson onwards, students will be asked to develop, present and discuss a research topic on modern or contemporary economic history, based on their personal interests and on the topics presented by the teacher.
The research topic will be discussed and defined during the Workshop and will be developed by the students in an index, in a bibliography and, finally, in a final essay, which will be evaluated and will be the basis for the writing of a possible dissertation in economic history.
The Workshop will be organized in theoretical lessons, which will provide the methodological basis, and practical lessons, in which students will practice writing a part of the text and will be able to submit it to the teacher.
Prerequisites for admission
The Workshop is addressed to students of all courses of the Three-year BA in History, up to a maximum of 35 students, and is open to attending students (up to a limit of 25) and non-attending students (up to a limit of 10).
Preference will be given to students who have already passed the exam in Economic History, who have also a concrete intention to do the final dissertation in Economic History in the year 2022.
Interested students will be able to register on the Ariel page of the degree program (https://cdlsss.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/Home/) on the appropriate forum. Registration will open in February 2022.
In case the number of students enrolled in the course exceeds the established limits, the last selection criterion will be the chronological order of enrollment.
Preference will be given to students who have already passed the exam in Economic History, who have also a concrete intention to do the final dissertation in Economic History in the year 2022.
Interested students will be able to register on the Ariel page of the degree program (https://cdlsss.ariel.ctu.unimi.it/v5/Home/) on the appropriate forum. Registration will open in February 2022.
In case the number of students enrolled in the course exceeds the established limits, the last selection criterion will be the chronological order of enrollment.
Teaching methods
The course includes a series of 5 theoretical lectures, alternating with 5 practical lessons with a highly interactive character. If health conditions and regulations allow it, all lessons will be held in presence in classrooms indicated in advance in the Ariel page of the course.
In all cases, students will be expected to offer active participation with both in-class and out-of-class work. Those who, at the discretion of the teacher, are not actively participating in both practical and theoretical lessons, will not be guaranteed the opportunity to carry out the final dissertation in Economic History.
In all cases, students will be expected to offer active participation with both in-class and out-of-class work. Those who, at the discretion of the teacher, are not actively participating in both practical and theoretical lessons, will not be guaranteed the opportunity to carry out the final dissertation in Economic History.
Teaching Resources
Reference Texts:
Marc Bloch, Apologia della Storia o Mestiere di Storico, Turin, Einaudi, 2009
Cipolla Carlo Maria, Introduzione allo studio della storia economica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2003 ("Le fonti", "La critica delle fonti", "Saggio sulle fonti di storia economica europea").
Additional material will be provided during the course.
Marc Bloch, Apologia della Storia o Mestiere di Storico, Turin, Einaudi, 2009
Cipolla Carlo Maria, Introduzione allo studio della storia economica, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2003 ("Le fonti", "La critica delle fonti", "Saggio sulle fonti di storia economica europea").
Additional material will be provided during the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The passing of the course for attending students is subject to:
- the attendance of 80% of the lessons
- the presentation of a final essay, of about 2000 words, that the student will have to discuss in class during the last lesson.
Both the attendance of the lessons and the active and collaborative participation in them, as well as the writing of a good quality essay are essential requirements in order to obtain the 3 CFU.
Non-attending students will have to write an essay, of about 2500 words, to be agreed upon directly with the teacher by March 15, and handed in by May 10.
- the attendance of 80% of the lessons
- the presentation of a final essay, of about 2000 words, that the student will have to discuss in class during the last lesson.
Both the attendance of the lessons and the active and collaborative participation in them, as well as the writing of a good quality essay are essential requirements in order to obtain the 3 CFU.
Non-attending students will have to write an essay, of about 2500 words, to be agreed upon directly with the teacher by March 15, and handed in by May 10.
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday 11.30-13.00
By appointment, in presence in my office or online on Teams