Workshop: Perspectives On Labour History in the 19th and 20th Centuries
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
This workshop offers an introduction to key themes and methods in labour history, with a particular focus on the Italian context and the history of industrial work in the twentieth century. Students will be encouraged to approach labour not only as a historical subject, but as a lens through which to explore broader transformations in modern societies. The workshop provides a critical overview of major historiographical developments, from the foundational contributions of classic labour history to more recent and innovative approaches, including global, gender, and environmental history.
Alongside this historiographical grounding, the workshop helps students develop essential research skills: how to work with a variety of historical sources (archival, printed, oral, visual, audiovisual, statistical, and digital); how to construct a focused and well-organised bibliography; and how to design an independent research pathway.
Taught in a seminar format, the course emphasises active participation through close reading, guided source analysis, and collaborative discussion.
Alongside this historiographical grounding, the workshop helps students develop essential research skills: how to work with a variety of historical sources (archival, printed, oral, visual, audiovisual, statistical, and digital); how to construct a focused and well-organised bibliography; and how to design an independent research pathway.
Taught in a seminar format, the course emphasises active participation through close reading, guided source analysis, and collaborative discussion.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop, students will have developed a critical understanding of labour both as a subject of historical inquiry and as a lens through which to examine major political, social, cultural, and environmental transformations in contemporary societies. They will be able to engage confidently with central themes in twentieth-century Italian labour history: socio-political relations between collective actors; workers' migration and mobility; construction of gender roles; deindustrialization; environmental issues.
Students will be able to analyse and interpret a broad spectrum of historical sources, selecting those most relevant to specific research questions. They will also develop a well-informed understanding of the diverse social actors engaged in labour relations, as well as a critical appreciation of the historiographical perspectives that have shaped the field.
Through active participation in seminar discussions and the development of a short final project, students will strengthen their ability to synthesise information, formulate coherent arguments and apply historical methods with critical awareness.
Students will be able to analyse and interpret a broad spectrum of historical sources, selecting those most relevant to specific research questions. They will also develop a well-informed understanding of the diverse social actors engaged in labour relations, as well as a critical appreciation of the historiographical perspectives that have shaped the field.
Through active participation in seminar discussions and the development of a short final project, students will strengthen their ability to synthesise information, formulate coherent arguments and apply historical methods with critical awareness.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Giudizio di approvazione
Assessment result: superato/non superato
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
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
This workshop offers an introduction to key themes and methods in labour history, with a particular focus on the Italian context and the history of industrial work in the twentieth century.
The workshop is open to a maximum of 25 attending students and up to 10 non-attending students. Non-attending students will agree on a dedicated programme with the professor.
For attending students, the course opens with a series of introductory sessions that provide a thematic and historiographical overview of labour history in contemporary Italy, along with guidance on key research tools such as bibliographies, databases, and digital resources.
These introductory sessions are followed by workshop-based classes where students - working individually or in groups - analyse and discuss a range of primary sources (archival, printed, visual, audiovisual, and oral). These materials are examined in combination to develop thematic research pathways that engage critically with the relevant historiography.
The programme also includes guided visits to archives and cultural institutions in Milan that hold significant collections related to the history of labour in the contemporary period.
The workshop is open to a maximum of 25 attending students and up to 10 non-attending students. Non-attending students will agree on a dedicated programme with the professor.
For attending students, the course opens with a series of introductory sessions that provide a thematic and historiographical overview of labour history in contemporary Italy, along with guidance on key research tools such as bibliographies, databases, and digital resources.
These introductory sessions are followed by workshop-based classes where students - working individually or in groups - analyse and discuss a range of primary sources (archival, printed, visual, audiovisual, and oral). These materials are examined in combination to develop thematic research pathways that engage critically with the relevant historiography.
The programme also includes guided visits to archives and cultural institutions in Milan that hold significant collections related to the history of labour in the contemporary period.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission.
In order to apply for admission to the laboratory, which has limited enrollment, it is mandatory to follow the instructions outlined on the 'Laboratori' page of the History degree course website: https://storia.cdl.unimi.it/it/insegnamenti/laboratori
In order to apply for admission to the laboratory, which has limited enrollment, it is mandatory to follow the instructions outlined on the 'Laboratori' page of the History degree course website: https://storia.cdl.unimi.it/it/insegnamenti/laboratori
Teaching methods
The workshop is structured as a learning pathway that integrates lectures, practical exercises, and the collective analysis and discussion of primary sources in the classroom. It also includes visits to trade union archives and cultural institutions in Milan specialising in labour history.
Teaching Resources
Sources and reading materials will be provided throughout the workshop.
For a general overview of industrial labour history in contemporary Italy, either of the following books may serve as a useful starting point:
· S. Gallo, F. Loreto, Storia del lavoro nell'Italia contemporanea, Bologna, il Mulino, 2024.
· M. Alberti, Il lavoro in Italia. Un profilo storico dall'Unità a oggi, Roma, Carocci, 2024.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
For a general overview of industrial labour history in contemporary Italy, either of the following books may serve as a useful starting point:
· S. Gallo, F. Loreto, Storia del lavoro nell'Italia contemporanea, Bologna, il Mulino, 2024.
· M. Alberti, Il lavoro in Italia. Un profilo storico dall'Unità a oggi, Roma, Carocci, 2024.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment is based on a comprehensive evaluation of each student's work throughout the workshop. Students are expected to attend regularly, complete short assignments during the course, and present a project - individually or in groups - for in-class discussion.
Evaluation will consider the student's ability to engage critically with the course content, reflect on the work carried out, communicate ideas clearly, and use the disciplinary language with accuracy and confidence.
The format of the assessment for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the lecturer, in agreement with the office in charge ([email protected] or [email protected]).
Evaluation will consider the student's ability to engage critically with the course content, reflect on the work carried out, communicate ideas clearly, and use the disciplinary language with accuracy and confidence.
The format of the assessment for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the lecturer, in agreement with the office in charge ([email protected] or [email protected]).
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday, 11:00–13:00 (by appointment)
Office hours take place either in person or on Microsoft Teams. Students are welcome to e-mail the instructor to schedule an appointment.