Elements of Historiography

The course aims to offer a panorama of the principal characteristics of the history of historiography from antiquity to modernity and theoretical principles that have animated the historiographical production of the last two centuries.
The course also aims to provide lexical and conceptual tools suitable for both scientific and popular historical communication

The course aims to introduce students to the historical reflection on the historiography of the Western world, guiding them towards the knowledge of how to grasp the continuity and peculiarities of modern historical production compared to those of the past. Through the analysis of concrete examples, students will grasp the problems and methods of contemporary historiographic reflection, developing awareness, theory and their own personal historiographical style. At the end of the course they will be able to critically read primary sources and scientific texts relating to the historical period under consideration and develop independent and critically based reflections. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous comparison with the teacher in the classroom, through the analysis of proposed texts for individual study and thanks to the presentation and joint discussion of agreed readings.
Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools eventually provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings suggested of the instructor, and contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.