ORAL HISTORY

The course is among the Core Educational Activities of the Master's degree course in History; it is also among the Related or Additional Studies of other Master's degree courses.
The aim of the course is to provide an introduction to oral history and to the use of oral sources for historical and social research.

Knowledge and understanding:
- knowledge of research practices with oral sources: interview, transcription, interpretation, conservation
- knowledge of the evolution and of the main exponents of oral history, especially in Italy
- knowledge of the theoretical and epistemological debate related to oral history
- knowledge of ethical, deontological and legal issues involved in oral history
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding:
- ability to apply the research methodology with oral sources
- ability to choose the most appropriate ways to do it
Communication and relational skills:
- know how to present and discuss a theoretical or historiographical text in a seminar context orally
- knowing how to interact in a peer group
- know how to express the results of a research in a short written text

At least elementary knowledge of the Italian language.
Knowledge of the essential lines of contemporary history.
A voice recorder.

The foundamentals of oral history. The practice of in-depth interviewing. Historiography that used oral sources. The technologies of speech: orality, writing, recording. Oral archives. Digital turn in oral history. Oral history and public history.
In addition, each student will have to carry out an interview on a common theme, this year inspired by the issue of the “speaking out” and the birth of “free radios” in the 1970s

1. Alessandro Portelli, Storie orali. Racconto, immaginazione, dialogo, Roma, Donzelli, 2007 (pp. 3-126, pp. 235-250, pp. 323-340, pp. 349-395).
2. Luisa Passerini, Ferite della memoria. Identità femminile e violenza politica in Ead., Storia di donne e femministe, Torino, Rosenberg&Sellier, 2024 (pp. 35-86).
3. Raffaello A. Doro, In onda. L’Italia dalle radio libere ai network nazionali (1970-1990), Roma, Viella, 2017 (pp. 1-183).
4. Texts and materials shared on the course Moodle page.

Detailed information on the texts and activities required for the examination will be added in the "Learning Agreement" published on Moodle at the beginning of classes.

The learning assessment will be a written examination on the reference texts. The examination aims to check that the reference texts and documents presented in class have been read and understood.
Individual work, consisting of a paper based on an interview, will be assessed at a later interview.

written and oral

20 points for the written test; 10 points for the essay.
17 FAIL
18-20 PASS
Limited comprehension of notions, limited skill of exposition and reflection, no critical capacity
21-23 SATISFACTORY
Sufficient comprehension of notions presented in an unclear and reflexive manner; difficulties in elaborating, and synthesizing ideas
24-26 GOOD
Good comprehension of notions but limited capacity of exposition, reflection, and synthesis
27-28 VERY GOOD
In-depth comprehension of notions that are presented in a clear and articulated manner; remarkable synthesizing capacity and critical reflection
29-30 VERY GOOD
Broad and in-depth comprehension of notions that are presented in an articulated and sophisticated manner. Excellent ability in exposing ideas synthetically, and critical ability
30 CUM LAUDE EXCELLENT
Broad and in-depth comprehension of notions showing an advanced knowledge of broader disciplinary and interdisciplinary debates, a mastery of academic language, and a capacity for original and critical thinking

Lectures and seminar discussion on texts.