ID:
508067
Duration (hours):
42
CFU:
6
SSD:
ARCHIVISTICA, BIBLIOGRAFIA E BIBLIOTECONOMIA
Located in:
CREMONA
Year:
2025
Overview
Date/time interval
Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 23/01/2026)
Syllabus
Course Objectives
Objectives
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the purpose, functions, techniques, and problems of the bibliographic method, particularly in relation to scientific work.
- Know the content and methods of creation, dissemination, research, representation, and evaluation of bibliographic resources (sources).
- Understand the principles and foundations of information literacy and the preparation of bibliographic repertoires aimed at ensuring the scientific quality of a text and scientific research.
- Master the public services of the university library.
Skills
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Methodologically set up a scientific work correctly (e.g., presentations, papers, essays, theses).
2. Search for, evaluate, select, organize, and use the information and bibliographic resources necessary for scientific work.
3. Use bibliographic research tools with awareness and competence.
4. Compile a simple bibliographic list.
5. Use the services of the university library efficiently and effectively.
---
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Understand the purpose, functions, techniques, and problems of the bibliographic method, particularly in relation to scientific work.
- Know the content and methods of creation, dissemination, research, representation, and evaluation of bibliographic resources (sources).
- Understand the principles and foundations of information literacy and the preparation of bibliographic repertoires aimed at ensuring the scientific quality of a text and scientific research.
- Master the public services of the university library.
Skills
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
1. Methodologically set up a scientific work correctly (e.g., presentations, papers, essays, theses).
2. Search for, evaluate, select, organize, and use the information and bibliographic resources necessary for scientific work.
3. Use bibliographic research tools with awareness and competence.
4. Compile a simple bibliographic list.
5. Use the services of the university library efficiently and effectively.
---
Course Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Knowledge of alphabetical, numerical, and chronological sorting criteria. Basic knowledge of the English language. Basic knowledge of using a browser. Basic knowledge of a word processing program.
Knowledge of alphabetical, numerical, and chronological sorting criteria. Basic knowledge of the English language. Basic knowledge of using a browser. Basic knowledge of a word processing program.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Method
The course is organized into teaching units (i.e., topics addressed in sequential order), which may be delivered by the instructor through one or more lectures and typically through collective exercises (during class, in lab hours, or even at home independently). The instructor’s slides are regularly published on the KIRO platform, along with all teaching materials (readings, examples, links to online tools, etc.), but only at the end of a teaching unit (not after each individual lesson).
The course includes lab activities usually conducted at the Department of Musicology Library. Lab activities involve the collective examination of different types of bibliographic objects, guided and independent research of sources and bibliographic tools, guided and independent use of bibliographic repertoires, source analysis, and the production of bibliographic references and citations.
Each class lasts two hours (but, unless otherwise agreed upon by students and the instructor, starts fifteen minutes after the scheduled time and ends fifteen minutes before the scheduled end time). Punctuality is appreciated. Since topics are covered sequentially, absences may affect the understanding of subsequent topics.
Each student is expected to participate actively and constructively in class. Students are encouraged to contribute in a timely and constructive manner, with full respect for others’ opinions and without monopolizing the discussion.
Interaction, sharing viewpoints, and mutual collaboration among classmates are considered positive factors as they facilitate the learning process for everyone (including the instructor).
During lessons, the instructor uses teaching materials prepared on the KIRO platform, and the materials are not provided in printed form. Therefore, it is essential that each student brings a device to class (smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc.) to connect to the platform and has internet access. Note that free WiFi access is available throughout the university for all students (via the university network or the international Eduroam network), and students are encouraged to activate it before classes begin.
Questions regarding the course (clarifications, explanations, problems, news, communications, etc.) can preferably be asked verbally during classes or via email to the instructor (carlo.bianchini(at)unipv.it). All questions are encouraged; even seemingly simple ones can often be helpful. Furthermore, questions and contributions can positively impact the student’s evaluation but will never result in negative assessment.
For other matters, the instructor can be contacted every day from Monday to Friday during daytime hours via email. Response times may not be swift, as they depend on various factors (e.g., engaged in another lesson, meetings, etc., or if the email is sent in the evening). Responses are not guaranteed on Saturdays and Sundays.
The course is organized into teaching units (i.e., topics addressed in sequential order), which may be delivered by the instructor through one or more lectures and typically through collective exercises (during class, in lab hours, or even at home independently). The instructor’s slides are regularly published on the KIRO platform, along with all teaching materials (readings, examples, links to online tools, etc.), but only at the end of a teaching unit (not after each individual lesson).
The course includes lab activities usually conducted at the Department of Musicology Library. Lab activities involve the collective examination of different types of bibliographic objects, guided and independent research of sources and bibliographic tools, guided and independent use of bibliographic repertoires, source analysis, and the production of bibliographic references and citations.
Each class lasts two hours (but, unless otherwise agreed upon by students and the instructor, starts fifteen minutes after the scheduled time and ends fifteen minutes before the scheduled end time). Punctuality is appreciated. Since topics are covered sequentially, absences may affect the understanding of subsequent topics.
Each student is expected to participate actively and constructively in class. Students are encouraged to contribute in a timely and constructive manner, with full respect for others’ opinions and without monopolizing the discussion.
Interaction, sharing viewpoints, and mutual collaboration among classmates are considered positive factors as they facilitate the learning process for everyone (including the instructor).
During lessons, the instructor uses teaching materials prepared on the KIRO platform, and the materials are not provided in printed form. Therefore, it is essential that each student brings a device to class (smartphone, laptop, tablet, etc.) to connect to the platform and has internet access. Note that free WiFi access is available throughout the university for all students (via the university network or the international Eduroam network), and students are encouraged to activate it before classes begin.
Questions regarding the course (clarifications, explanations, problems, news, communications, etc.) can preferably be asked verbally during classes or via email to the instructor (carlo.bianchini(at)unipv.it). All questions are encouraged; even seemingly simple ones can often be helpful. Furthermore, questions and contributions can positively impact the student’s evaluation but will never result in negative assessment.
For other matters, the instructor can be contacted every day from Monday to Friday during daytime hours via email. Response times may not be swift, as they depend on various factors (e.g., engaged in another lesson, meetings, etc., or if the email is sent in the evening). Responses are not guaranteed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Assessment Methods
Exam Method
The exam, entirely written, is organized into two parts: the first part is practical, lasting a maximum of 90 minutes, conducted in a computer lab using a computer and the Kirotesting platform. It involves solving eleven types of questions that require knowledge and use of available bibliographic research tools (online and/or provided by the instructor); the second part, following immediately, consists of a written paper with questions provided on paper, aimed at verifying the knowledge acquired, and also lasts 90 minutes.
The first part aims to verify that the candidate has learned the bibliographic tools presented in class, is able to select the most appropriate repertoire to solve the given bibliographic problem, and has acquired the skills to obtain the required information. The questions involve the drafting, identification, integration, or correction of bibliographic and/or textual data related to specific resources using the bibliographic tools discussed in class (accessible online freely or in the restricted area). It comprises eleven different types of questions. The overall evaluation is directly proportional to the number of types of questions the candidate solves (for example: solving 11 types of questions results in a grade of 30 with honors; not answering 4 types of questions results in a maximum grade of 21/30).
The second part consists of answering some open questions related to the topics covered in class within each teaching unit or taken from the study texts indicated below or during the lessons. In their answers, the candidate must demonstrate a broad knowledge of the content and technical terminology, the ability to summarize, clarity of exposition, and reference to real examples. The ability to critically re-elaborate the issues examined and highlight the crucial and cross-cutting aspects of the discipline is particularly appreciated.
During the exam session, the only two texts that can be kept on hand, in paper or digital form, are:
- Martinucci, Andrea. *Guida alla bibliografia internazionale.* Milano: Editrice Bibliografica, 1994
- Del Bono, Gianna. *La Bibliografia. Un’introduzione.* Roma: Carocci, 2000
These texts are necessary during the practical part of the exam and useful—in paper form—for students with slow connections or computers. No other texts are allowed. Each student should have studied the Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS) sufficiently to apply it without needing to consult it (the time allotted for the practical exam takes this into account). Lesina (see following paragraph) is not needed for the practical part (since bibliographic references must exclusively follow CMoS guidelines) and cannot be kept during the theoretical part, as it is subject to knowledge verification.
The exam, entirely written, is organized into two parts: the first part is practical, lasting a maximum of 90 minutes, conducted in a computer lab using a computer and the Kirotesting platform. It involves solving eleven types of questions that require knowledge and use of available bibliographic research tools (online and/or provided by the instructor); the second part, following immediately, consists of a written paper with questions provided on paper, aimed at verifying the knowledge acquired, and also lasts 90 minutes.
The first part aims to verify that the candidate has learned the bibliographic tools presented in class, is able to select the most appropriate repertoire to solve the given bibliographic problem, and has acquired the skills to obtain the required information. The questions involve the drafting, identification, integration, or correction of bibliographic and/or textual data related to specific resources using the bibliographic tools discussed in class (accessible online freely or in the restricted area). It comprises eleven different types of questions. The overall evaluation is directly proportional to the number of types of questions the candidate solves (for example: solving 11 types of questions results in a grade of 30 with honors; not answering 4 types of questions results in a maximum grade of 21/30).
The second part consists of answering some open questions related to the topics covered in class within each teaching unit or taken from the study texts indicated below or during the lessons. In their answers, the candidate must demonstrate a broad knowledge of the content and technical terminology, the ability to summarize, clarity of exposition, and reference to real examples. The ability to critically re-elaborate the issues examined and highlight the crucial and cross-cutting aspects of the discipline is particularly appreciated.
During the exam session, the only two texts that can be kept on hand, in paper or digital form, are:
- Martinucci, Andrea. *Guida alla bibliografia internazionale.* Milano: Editrice Bibliografica, 1994
- Del Bono, Gianna. *La Bibliografia. Un’introduzione.* Roma: Carocci, 2000
These texts are necessary during the practical part of the exam and useful—in paper form—for students with slow connections or computers. No other texts are allowed. Each student should have studied the Chicago Manual of Style (CMoS) sufficiently to apply it without needing to consult it (the time allotted for the practical exam takes this into account). Lesina (see following paragraph) is not needed for the practical part (since bibliographic references must exclusively follow CMoS guidelines) and cannot be kept during the theoretical part, as it is subject to knowledge verification.
Texts
Texts for Exam Preparation
For exam preparation, students should thoroughly study the texts listed below, along with the slides and teaching materials provided during lessons (and progressively uploaded to the website https://elearning.unipv.it):
- Riediger, Hellmut. *Come scrivere tesi, saggi e articoli. Documentarsi, preparare e organizzare un testo con gli strumenti del web.* Milano: Bibliografica, 2015, pp. 3-21 and 28-31. *
- Lesina, Roberto. *Il nuovo manuale di stile. Guida alla redazione di documenti, relazioni, articoli, manuali, tesi di laurea.* Bologna: Zanichelli, 2009, pp. 19-34, 37-47 and 250-261. *
- Bianchini, Carlo, and Mauro Guerrini. *Guida alla biblioteca e alla ricerca bibliografica.* Milano: Bibliografica, 2024. *
- Pometti, Mara, and Francesco Tissoni. *Comunicare con i dati. L’informazione tra data journalism e data visualization.* Milano: Ledizioni, 2018, pp. 9-19. *
* Available at the Library of Musicology and Cultural Heritage
For the practical part of the written exam, it is essential to know the guidelines provided by the Chicago Manual of Style, to be studied in either version A or B (student's choice) using one of the following summary texts (available on Kiro):
- University Library of Lugano. *Chicago Style (Notes and Bibliography system).* Recommended for the arts and humanities. Edition 2022. Lugano: University Library of Lugano, 2020. Accessible from the e-learning site (Chicago Manual of Style Section) or downloadable from: [https://it.bul.sbu.usi.ch/learning/guide_to_citing_references](https://it.bul.sbu.usi.ch/learning/guide_to_citing_references).
- or -
- University Library of Lugano. *Chicago Style (Author-Date system).* Recommended for the social sciences. Edition 2020. Lugano: University Library of Lugano, 2022. Accessible from the e-learning site (Chicago Manual of Style Section) or downloadable from: [https://it.bul.sbu.usi.ch/learning/guide_to_citing_references](https://it.bul.sbu.usi.ch/learning/guide_to_citing_references).
### Additional Readings:
- Pickard, Alison J. *La ricerca in biblioteca.* Milano: Bibliografica, 2010, pp. 81-97
- Venuda, Fabio. *La citazione bibliografica nei percorsi di ricerca: dalla galassia Gutenberg alla rivoluzione digitale.* Milano: Unicopli, 2012, pp. 183-191.
- Sanguineti, Edoardo. "Per una teoria della citazione." In *Cultura e realtà,* pp. 335-347. Milano: Feltrinelli, 2010.
Further readings will be recommended during the lessons, and bibliographic references will be included in the instructor’s slides.
### For Non-attending Students:
Non-attending students are also required to study in full:
- Balsamo, Luigi. *La bibliografia: storia di una tradizione.* Firenze: Sansoni, 1984, pp. 1-113 (i.e., up to and including chapter VI in subsequent reprints).
For exam preparation, students should thoroughly study the texts listed below, along with the slides and teaching materials provided during lessons (and progressively uploaded to the website https://elearning.unipv.it):
- Riediger, Hellmut. *Come scrivere tesi, saggi e articoli. Documentarsi, preparare e organizzare un testo con gli strumenti del web.* Milano: Bibliografica, 2015, pp. 3-21 and 28-31. *
- Lesina, Roberto. *Il nuovo manuale di stile. Guida alla redazione di documenti, relazioni, articoli, manuali, tesi di laurea.* Bologna: Zanichelli, 2009, pp. 19-34, 37-47 and 250-261. *
- Bianchini, Carlo, and Mauro Guerrini. *Guida alla biblioteca e alla ricerca bibliografica.* Milano: Bibliografica, 2024. *
- Pometti, Mara, and Francesco Tissoni. *Comunicare con i dati. L’informazione tra data journalism e data visualization.* Milano: Ledizioni, 2018, pp. 9-19. *
* Available at the Library of Musicology and Cultural Heritage
For the practical part of the written exam, it is essential to know the guidelines provided by the Chicago Manual of Style, to be studied in either version A or B (student's choice) using one of the following summary texts (available on Kiro):
- University Library of Lugano. *Chicago Style (Notes and Bibliography system).* Recommended for the arts and humanities. Edition 2022. Lugano: University Library of Lugano, 2020. Accessible from the e-learning site (Chicago Manual of Style Section) or downloadable from: [https://it.bul.sbu.usi.ch/learning/guide_to_citing_references](https://it.bul.sbu.usi.ch/learning/guide_to_citing_references).
- or -
- University Library of Lugano. *Chicago Style (Author-Date system).* Recommended for the social sciences. Edition 2020. Lugano: University Library of Lugano, 2022. Accessible from the e-learning site (Chicago Manual of Style Section) or downloadable from: [https://it.bul.sbu.usi.ch/learning/guide_to_citing_references](https://it.bul.sbu.usi.ch/learning/guide_to_citing_references).
### Additional Readings:
- Pickard, Alison J. *La ricerca in biblioteca.* Milano: Bibliografica, 2010, pp. 81-97
- Venuda, Fabio. *La citazione bibliografica nei percorsi di ricerca: dalla galassia Gutenberg alla rivoluzione digitale.* Milano: Unicopli, 2012, pp. 183-191.
- Sanguineti, Edoardo. "Per una teoria della citazione." In *Cultura e realtà,* pp. 335-347. Milano: Feltrinelli, 2010.
Further readings will be recommended during the lessons, and bibliographic references will be included in the instructor’s slides.
### For Non-attending Students:
Non-attending students are also required to study in full:
- Balsamo, Luigi. *La bibliografia: storia di una tradizione.* Firenze: Sansoni, 1984, pp. 1-113 (i.e., up to and including chapter VI in subsequent reprints).
Contents
Course Program and Content
- Bibliography and bibliographic disciplines.
- The bibliographic universe and the circuit of traditional and digital books.
- Bibliographic resources, physical and intellectual objects.
- Scientific research: phases of research, from research to text, the bibliographic method at the service of scientific research.
- Bibliographic research and search strategies.
- Tools for bibliographic research (with examples): bibliographies, databases, catalogs, portals, digital collections, search engines, discovery tools, sales catalogs, semantic web.
- Selecting resources.
- Bibliographic search techniques.
- Library services.
- Bibliography and bibliographic disciplines.
- The bibliographic universe and the circuit of traditional and digital books.
- Bibliographic resources, physical and intellectual objects.
- Scientific research: phases of research, from research to text, the bibliographic method at the service of scientific research.
- Bibliographic research and search strategies.
- Tools for bibliographic research (with examples): bibliographies, databases, catalogs, portals, digital collections, search engines, discovery tools, sales catalogs, semantic web.
- Selecting resources.
- Bibliographic search techniques.
- Library services.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Special Instructions for Non-attending Students
Non-attending students are those who do not attend at least 75% of the classes in person and thus are unable to interact with other students and the instructor, asking questions or providing answers. The learning objectives for non-attending students are the same as those set for attending students, with the addition of Luigi Balsamo's *Storia della Bibliografia*.
The exam format is the same (practical test and written test), but the exams for non-attending students will include specific additional questions aimed at verifying knowledge of the additional reading (Balsamo). When registering for the chosen exam session, the non-attending student must inform the instructor—via email or the Esse3 platform—that they wish to take the exam as a non-attending student.
It is highly recommended that non-attending students review the materials—and in particular the exercises—used in class and made available in the respective units through the teaching platform (https://elearning.unipv.it).
Special Instructions for Students Eligible for Inclusive Teaching Methods
For students eligible for special inclusive teaching methods who present certification of belonging to one of the categories provided for by the "Guidelines for Innovative Teaching 2023/2024" approved by the Academic Senate on March 23, 2023, and who are unable to attend classes in person, up to two hours of weekly office hours are guaranteed (see above), by prior arrangement with the instructor. Upon request, the instructor is available to arrange additional meetings outside regular working hours, in person or online, for students authorized to benefit from inclusive teaching.
The reference teaching materials for exam preparation, exam methods, and teaching methods are the same as those provided in this syllabus for non-attending students.
Agenda 2030 Obiectives
The course content is aligned with the achievement of two objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Non-attending students are those who do not attend at least 75% of the classes in person and thus are unable to interact with other students and the instructor, asking questions or providing answers. The learning objectives for non-attending students are the same as those set for attending students, with the addition of Luigi Balsamo's *Storia della Bibliografia*.
The exam format is the same (practical test and written test), but the exams for non-attending students will include specific additional questions aimed at verifying knowledge of the additional reading (Balsamo). When registering for the chosen exam session, the non-attending student must inform the instructor—via email or the Esse3 platform—that they wish to take the exam as a non-attending student.
It is highly recommended that non-attending students review the materials—and in particular the exercises—used in class and made available in the respective units through the teaching platform (https://elearning.unipv.it).
Special Instructions for Students Eligible for Inclusive Teaching Methods
For students eligible for special inclusive teaching methods who present certification of belonging to one of the categories provided for by the "Guidelines for Innovative Teaching 2023/2024" approved by the Academic Senate on March 23, 2023, and who are unable to attend classes in person, up to two hours of weekly office hours are guaranteed (see above), by prior arrangement with the instructor. Upon request, the instructor is available to arrange additional meetings outside regular working hours, in person or online, for students authorized to benefit from inclusive teaching.
The reference teaching materials for exam preparation, exam methods, and teaching methods are the same as those provided in this syllabus for non-attending students.
Agenda 2030 Obiectives
The course content is aligned with the achievement of two objectives of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Goal 4: Quality Education and Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.
Degrees
Degrees (3)
HUMANITIES AND CULTURAL HERITAGE STUDIES
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
MUSICOLOGY
Bachelor’s Degree
3 years
MUSICOLOGY
Master’s Degree
2 years
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