Public History – 2024-2025

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Teachers: Prof. Tommaso Caliò, Prof. Chiara Lucrezio Monticelli
E-mail:tommaso.calio@uniroma2.it; chiara.lucrezio@uniroma2.it
CFU: 6
Course code: 804002822
Degree: Master’s Degree “Scienze della Storia e del documento”
Course delivery modalities: In-presence
Language: Italian
Pre-requisites: Knowledge of the main topics of Medieval, Modern and Contemporary History
Attendance: Optional
Assessment method: Oral examination
Period: 2nd term
Starting day: 
Class hours
Program:

The course aims to provide a training for future “public historians” through lectures, seminars and workshops, basic notions and tools related to the communication of history in different fields other than those traditionally assigned to teaching this discipline. The first part of the course will be devoted to focus on the discipline of “Public history”, its genesis, its multiple developments, its interdisciplinary approach, its various applications in Italy and at international level.
In the second part of the course some examples of public history of particular relevance will be dealt with which can bring out critical and methodological reflections on the most effective ways of a correct dissemination of the History by avoiding any risks related to an instrumental use or a trivialization of the discipline.
In particular, some of the meetings will be dedicated to a seminar work of in-depth study and discussion on the case of a specific experience of Public History, that of LUDICa, the laboratory of Digital Humanities at the University of Cagliari, which will be developed from the reading of the texts collected in «Quaderni del LUDiCa», 3, 2022 (free download at https://ludica.dh.unica.it/pubblicazioni/quaderni-del-ludica/).
Students who are unwilling or unable to take part in the seminar meetings should study the texts independently and discuss them in the exam.
The third part of the course will allow students to apply what they have learnt during the course to the creation of an outreach product, such as a historical podcast.
Special attention will be given to the intertwining of public history and territory, with a teaching workshop on the enhancement of Villa Mondragone, a historic villa owned by the University of Tor Vergata, belonging to the network of Tuscolan villas and located in the territory of Monte Porzio Catone.

Text books:
  1. Bertella Farnetti, L. Bertucelli, A. Botti (a cura di), Public History. Discussioni e pratiche, Udine-Milano, Mimesis, 2017.
  2. «Quaderni del LUDiCa», 3, 2022 (free download at https://ludica.dh.unica.it/pubblicazioni/quaderni-del-ludica/).
Bibliography:
Educational goals and expected learning outcomes:
A) Learning Outcomes: Knowledge of the main concepts related to the Public History field of research. Students can also acquire the basic skills for some public history practices.
B) Knowledge and Understanding: Thanks to methodology applied in the field of Public History, students will acquire the conceptual tools to apply their skills in the study of other historical topics and themes.
C) Applying Knowledge and Understanding: Thanks to methodology applied in the field of Public History, students will acquire the conceptual tools to apply their skills in the study of other historical topics and themes.
D) Making Judgements: The module aims at providing a critical knowledge of selected topics in order to develop the judgment on the implications in the connected social, scientific and ethic issues.
E) Communication Skills: thanks to exercises and in-class presentations, students will improve communication skills in order to report correctly, rigorously and effectively information, ideas, problems and solutions.
F) Learning Skills: The module will provide tools for critical study of textbooks by stimulating also the elaboration of hypothesis and research of solution through sources and historiography.
Methods and criteria for verifying the learning:
The exam assesses the student’s overall preparation, the ability to combine knowledge about each part of the syllabus, the coherence of argumentation, the analytical ability, and the autonomy of judgment. In addition, the student’s command of language and clarity of presentation are also assessed, in adherence with the Dublin descriptors (1. knowledge and understanding; 2. applying knowledge and experience; 3. making judgments; 4. learning skills; 5: communication skills).
The final grade will be based 70% on the student’s depth of knowledge and 30% on the student’s ability for expression (written and oral) and independent critical thinking.
The exam will be evaluated according to the following criteria:
– Failed: significant deficiencies and inaccuracies in the knowledge and the understanding of the subject matter; poor analytical and synthesizing skills, recurrent generalizations, limited critical and judgmental skills; the arguments are exposed inconsistently and with inappropriate language.
– 18-20: Knowledge and understanding of topics barely adequate, with occasional generalizations and imperfections possible; sufficient capacity for analysis synthesis and autonomy of judgment, the arguments are frequently exposed in an incoherent manner and with inappropriate/non technical language.
– 21-23: Fair knowledge and understanding of the subject; proper analysis and synthesis skills with coherent, logical argumentation, but with language that is often inappropriate/non technical.
– 24-26: Moderate knowledge and understanding of the subjects; good analytical and synthesis skills with arguments expressed rigorously but with language that is not always appropriate/technical.
– 27-29: Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the subjects; remarkable analytical and synthesis skills. Good autonomy of judgment. Topics expounded rigorously and with appropriate/technical language.
– 30-30L: Excellent level of in-depth knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Excellent skills in analysis, synthesis, and independent judgment. Arguments are expressed in an original way and with appropriate technical language.
Teaching methods:
The course will combine more traditional lectures with in-depth seminars, to which specialists in public history topics will be invited, and educational workshops.
Attendance modalities:
Attendance, which is optional, is strongly recommended.
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