History

Research activity

The PhD in History tackles European history going beyond identity-based simplifications and portraying the European continent as a space in which different experiences mixed, overlapped and influenced each other. While also taking specific contexts into account, the doctorate aims to focus on the great socio-economic, juridical-institutional, religious, political and cultural issues characterising medieval, modern and contemporary Europe.

The research program will also include the encounters with non-European realities as they developed along that process of early globalisation that turned Europe from a candidate among others into the main competitor for a global hegemony. Within this framework, the students will investigate those processes of cross-fertilization and cultural exchange which led to the creation of the culture of human rights, without forgetting the dramatic costs of empire building, colonialism, economic exploitation and racial hatred, culminating in the two world wars, totalitarian regimes and  mass murders of the twentieth century.

The doctorate also prioritises methodological aspects, such as the  history of historiography and comparative and connected history, as well as promoting fruitful interaction with the social sciences. Particular attention will be devoted to the projection of history on the public stage (public history) and to its dissemination among a larger audience.

Teaching activity

The teaching activity is divided into courses and seminars.
Each year, in agreement with the Coordinator of the course, the students must present a study plan to the Faculty Council specifying the didactic and research activities for the forthcoming academic year. During the four-year period they must attend and pass at least three courses per year chosen in order to broaden their cultural base and to start working on a specific research project. At the end of the first year the students must propose, in agreement with the relevant Academic Board, the name of their thesis supervisor and the scientific subject of their thesis for the approval of the Faculty Council.

The four-year course envisages participation in the seminar activities offered by the Scuola as well as study and research stays in Italian or foreign institutions.

At the end of each year of the course, with the exclusion of the final year, the students will hold an interview to verify the study and research activities carried out during the year, in front of a commission appointed by the Faculty Council, including the professors of reference of the course. Passing this interview will allow students to maintain their place and scholarship, and will allow admission to the following year.

For the purpose of assessment the students must submit a written report concerning the didactic and research activity carried out and the results achieved, including participation in seminars and congresses and other scientific initiatives, together with any publications produced. For admission to the final year, this report must include a description of the progress of the research project.

PhD Scholarships funded by PNRR

• XXXVIII Cycle: as part of the M4C1 component "Enhancement of the offer of education services: from nurseries to universities" (Investment 3.4 and Investment 4.1), the PhD course in History has awarded n.1 PhD Scholarships (a.y. 2022/2023) - CUP: E53C22000910001 / I.4.1 Generic research
• XXXIX Cycle: as part of the M4C1 component "Enhancement of the offer of education services: from nurseries to universities" (Investment 3.4 and Investment 4.1), the PhD course in History has awarded n.1 PhD Scholarship (a.y. 2023/2024) - CUP: E53C23000740001 / I.4.1 Generic research