Workshop: Towards the Final Paper: Doing and Writing Economic History Research
A.Y. 2025/2026
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 They will be able to navigate the editing of the document, which is at least unpublished, in addition to writing a bibliography, an index and, possibly, the first chapter of a research paper conducted under the guidance of the lecturer.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
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
Second semester
Course syllabus
The workshop, intended for second- and third-year undergraduate students, is devoted to the design and writing of the final dissertation in Economic History or Political Economy. It supports students in the early stages of the research process, with attention to theoretical and methodological aspects as well as to academic writing practices, providing the foundations necessary for the development of the thesis project.
Four classes will be devoted to the following methodological aspects:
- an introduction to the main fields of economic history, social history, and political economy;
- the definition of a research question;
- the organisation of the work through the construction of an outline and a table of contents;
- the selection and use of sources, distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, manuscript sources and printed sources;
- orientation within the scholarly literature and the conduct of bibliographical research;
- the organisation of the text and academic writing practices;
- the preparation of footnotes and the critical apparatus.
Four further classes will be devoted, as every year, to a monographic theme proposed by the instructor. In this part of the workshop, the instructor will present the historical issue, the historiographical problem, and the relevant scholarly debate, focusing on the sources, their availability, and their usability. Students will also be accompanied to the archives and involved in the development of work that is both individual and collective, enabling an autonomous approach to research, supported by discussion with peers and the instructor. This year's theme is labour and war, with particular attention to the transformations of labour organisation that occurred during and were generated by the First World War.
The final two classes will be devoted to the presentation and discussion of the research projects developed by the students.
Four classes will be devoted to the following methodological aspects:
- an introduction to the main fields of economic history, social history, and political economy;
- the definition of a research question;
- the organisation of the work through the construction of an outline and a table of contents;
- the selection and use of sources, distinguishing between primary and secondary sources, manuscript sources and printed sources;
- orientation within the scholarly literature and the conduct of bibliographical research;
- the organisation of the text and academic writing practices;
- the preparation of footnotes and the critical apparatus.
Four further classes will be devoted, as every year, to a monographic theme proposed by the instructor. In this part of the workshop, the instructor will present the historical issue, the historiographical problem, and the relevant scholarly debate, focusing on the sources, their availability, and their usability. Students will also be accompanied to the archives and involved in the development of work that is both individual and collective, enabling an autonomous approach to research, supported by discussion with peers and the instructor. This year's theme is labour and war, with particular attention to the transformations of labour organisation that occurred during and were generated by the First World War.
The final two classes will be devoted to the presentation and discussion of the research projects developed by the students.
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific prerequisites other than those required for admission to the Degree Course.
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
Lectures are devoted to the introduction of the theoretical and methodological tools useful for the design and initial planning of the final dissertation. In this context, issues of method, the formulation of the research question, the use of sources, and the organisation of research work are addressed, with particular attention to academic writing practices.
Seminar activities develop along two main lines. On the one hand, the instructor organises a session devoted to the introduction and discussion of issues relevant to historical-economic and historical-social research, through the analysis of case studies and scholarly contributions. This activity may be enriched by the participation of qualified guest speakers, invited to present ongoing research or perspectives that are useful for methodological and historiographical reflection.
On the other hand, part of the seminar activities is organised as a research laboratory focused on the monographic theme of the year, which for the academic year 2025/2026 is devoted to the relationship between labour and war, with particular reference to the dynamics that developed during the First World War. In this context, students are introduced to the historiographical problem and its contemporary relevance and are guided in identifying sources relevant to the treatment of the topic. Activities include collective visits to archives, structured discussion sessions, individual study and group work, as well as the design of research projects developed autonomously but in constant dialogue and synergy with the class. Experience gained over the years shows that this mode of work more frequently leads to scientifically relevant contributions and makes the thesis process more effective, efficient, and reflective.
Students are strongly encouraged to develop their final dissertation on the basis of the work carried out on the monographic theme. It is nevertheless possible to pursue an independent research topic; in this case, students are required to demonstrate, from the early stages of the course, the ability to organise their work independently, through a clear definition of the research question, an initial bibliographical survey, and the delimitation of a suitably focused topic.
Discussion and presentation sessions are devoted to the collective examination of ongoing research projects. Students present the structure of their work and discuss methodological issues, organisation, and the overall direction of their research with the support of the instructor. Active participation in classroom activities, as well as the work carried out between classes, is considered an integral part of the course and is intended to foster a progressive development of autonomy in research and academic writing.
Seminar activities develop along two main lines. On the one hand, the instructor organises a session devoted to the introduction and discussion of issues relevant to historical-economic and historical-social research, through the analysis of case studies and scholarly contributions. This activity may be enriched by the participation of qualified guest speakers, invited to present ongoing research or perspectives that are useful for methodological and historiographical reflection.
On the other hand, part of the seminar activities is organised as a research laboratory focused on the monographic theme of the year, which for the academic year 2025/2026 is devoted to the relationship between labour and war, with particular reference to the dynamics that developed during the First World War. In this context, students are introduced to the historiographical problem and its contemporary relevance and are guided in identifying sources relevant to the treatment of the topic. Activities include collective visits to archives, structured discussion sessions, individual study and group work, as well as the design of research projects developed autonomously but in constant dialogue and synergy with the class. Experience gained over the years shows that this mode of work more frequently leads to scientifically relevant contributions and makes the thesis process more effective, efficient, and reflective.
Students are strongly encouraged to develop their final dissertation on the basis of the work carried out on the monographic theme. It is nevertheless possible to pursue an independent research topic; in this case, students are required to demonstrate, from the early stages of the course, the ability to organise their work independently, through a clear definition of the research question, an initial bibliographical survey, and the delimitation of a suitably focused topic.
Discussion and presentation sessions are devoted to the collective examination of ongoing research projects. Students present the structure of their work and discuss methodological issues, organisation, and the overall direction of their research with the support of the instructor. Active participation in classroom activities, as well as the work carried out between classes, is considered an integral part of the course and is intended to foster a progressive development of autonomy in research and academic writing.
Teaching Resources
Reference materials, consisting of scholarly articles and slides produced by the instructor, will be progressively provided during the course and uploaded to the laboratory's Ariel page.
International and Erasmus students are invited to contact the workshop lecturer promptly to arrange the program, which may be provided in English if necessary.
International and Erasmus students are invited to contact the workshop lecturer promptly to arrange the program, which may be provided in English if necessary.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: assessment at the end of the activity carried out
- Type of assessment: ongoing assessment during the workshop and final evaluation at the end of the laboratory, based on active participation in classes and on the in-class presentation and discussion of the research project outline
- Assessment criteria: active and responsible participation in workshop activities; ability to develop and critically discuss the research work in accordance with the guidelines provided; clarity of presentation and appropriate use of disciplinary terminology
- Type of evaluation: pass with the award of 3 ECTS credits
- Assessment arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) - assessment arrangements must be agreed with the instructor, in coordination with the relevant University Office ([email protected] or [email protected])
- Type of assessment: ongoing assessment during the workshop and final evaluation at the end of the laboratory, based on active participation in classes and on the in-class presentation and discussion of the research project outline
- Assessment criteria: active and responsible participation in workshop activities; ability to develop and critically discuss the research work in accordance with the guidelines provided; clarity of presentation and appropriate use of disciplinary terminology
- Type of evaluation: pass with the award of 3 ECTS credits
- Assessment arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD) - assessment arrangements must be agreed with the instructor, in coordination with the relevant University Office ([email protected] or [email protected])
Professor(s)