OVERVIEW

Why does the same poem by Dante have different versions depending on the manuscript? How can we tell which version is the correct one? What is the difference between copying the Decameron by hand in a manuscript and printing it in a book? How did authors like Ariosto and Manzoni work?
This course aims to provide basic tools to help answer these questions.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Students must acquire a theoretical knowledge of the fundamental elements of textual criticism with particular reference to the so-called neo- (or post-) Lachmannism. As a consequence of this learning, students must be able to use any critical edition of a literary text without difficulty and tackle it with the necessary interpretative competencies. It will also be necessary for students to possess the fundamental notions of textual bibliography (philology of printed texts). Students must acquire specific knowledge in the field of history of Italian literary tradition both in relation to the main handwritten texts and printed texts that quote them and their organisation in textual traditions, and in relation to the transmission of the texts of main authors.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Acquire the fundamental elements of textual criticism. Be able to use any critical edition of a literary text without difficulty and approach it with the necessary interpretative skills. Be able to distinguish between the text and the critical apparatus, evaluate the editor’s choices, and possibly discuss or reject them.
Learn the basic concepts of textual bibliography (philology of printed texts) and authorial philology.
Develop specific knowledge of the transmission history of Italian literature.
Students taking the 9 CFU exam must also be able to use and read correctly any critical edition of a text from Italian literature.

PREREQUISITES

It is recommended that students take the exams in History of the Italian Language and Italian Literature I before attending the course.

All students are required to register on AulaWeb.

TEACHING METHODS

The lessons will be held in frontal teaching for sections a) and b).

Section c) will be conducted in seminar mode with the support of Dr Andrea Ferrando.

Supplementary materials will be available on AulaWeb.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Program for students taking the course for 6 credits (CFU)

a) What is Italian Literary Philology?
Essential elements related to textual reconstruction methodologies, with particular reference to the so-called post-Lachmannian approach and special attention to Italian literary philology. Some lessons will be dedicated to specific issues in the philology of printed texts and authorial philology.

b) Outline of the History of the Italian Literary Tradition
An overview of the history of the textual tradition of Italian literature, from its origins to the 20th century.

Program for students taking the course for 9 credits (CFU)

a) What is Italian Literary Philology?
Essential elements related to textual reconstruction methodologies, with particular reference to the so-called post-Lachmannian approach and special attention to Italian literary philology. Some lessons will focus on specific issues in the philology of printed texts and the so-called authorial philology.

b) Outline of the History of the Italian Literary Tradition
An overview of the history of the textual tradition of Italian literature, from its origins to the 20th century.

c) What is a Critical Edition Like?
The structure of some critical editions of texts from the history of Italian literature will be explained, and the tools necessary for their use will be provided.

STUDENTS WHO CANNOT ATTEND THE COURSE ARE KINDLY ASKED TO CONTACT THE PROFESSOR BY NOVEMBER 30 TO ARRANGE AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for the students which take the course for 6 cfu

Those who could not attend the course are invited to contact the teacher by NOVEMBER 30 so that they can agree on a specific program.

a) Pasquale Stoppelli, Filologia della letteratura Italiana, Roma, Carocci, 2008 (or further editions)

b) Materials related to this section of the programme will provided in lesson and AulaWeb

Further bibliographical references will be provided in lesson.

Bibliography for the students which take the course for 6 cfu

a) Pasquale Stoppelli, Filologia della letteratura Italiana, Roma, Carocci, 2008 (or further editions)

b) Materials related to this section of the programme will provided in lesson and AulaWeb

c) The list of critical editions covered in this part of the course will be uploaded on AulaWeb

Further bibliographical references will be provided in lesson.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

September 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral examination in the form of an interview with questions relating to sections a) and b) of the course programme.

Those taking the 9 CFU exam must prepare a short written report (max. 10000 characters, including spaces) in which they illustrate the structure of a critical edition chosen from a list that will be made available during the lessons on AulaWeb. The paper must be sent to the teacher by email at least two weeks before the day of the examination. The result of the paper will contribute to the final grade of point c). Failure to submit the report by the deadline does not permit the examination to be taken.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

By means of an oral examination, the exam will ascertain the skills acquired in relation to both the reconstructive methodology concerning the various types of textual transmission (mono- or multi-testimonial, manuscript and/or printed) and the history of the tradition of Italian literature in its fundamental articulations.

For those taking the 9 CFU exam, the written test will ascertain the student's ability to read, understand and interpret the formal and substantial structure of a critical edition. 

FURTHER INFORMATION

All students must register on AulaWeb

Those who could not attend the course are invited to contact the teacher by NOVEMBER 30 so that they can agree on a specific program.

Students with disabilities or DSA are reminded that in order to be able to request adaptations in the exam, they must first enter their certification on the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the ‘Students’ section. The documentation will be checked by the University's Services for the Inclusion of Students with Disabilities and DSA Sector (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111).
Subsequently, at least 10 days before the date of the exam, an e-mail must be sent to the teacher with whom you will be sitting the exam, including in copy knowledge of both the School's Referring Teacher for the inclusion of students with disabilities and with DSA (Prof. Elisabetta Colagrossi: elisabetta.colagrossi@unige.it) and the Sector indicated above.

The e-mail must specify: the name of the teaching course; the date of the call; the student's surname, first name and roll number; the compensatory and dispensatory measures considered to be functional; and requested.  The contact person will confirm to the teacher that the applicant has the right to request adaptations during the examination and that these adaptations must be agreed upon with the teacher. The lecturer will respond by stating whether the requested adaptations can be used.
Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the date of the exam in order to allow the lecturer to assess their content. In particular, if you intend to use concept maps
conceptual maps for the exam (which must be much more concise than the maps used for studying) if the submission does not meet the deadline, there will be no technical time to make any changes.

For further information on the request for services and adaptations, please refer to the document: https://unige.it/sites/unige.it/files/2024-05/Linee%20guida%20per%20la%20richiesta%20di%20servizi%2C%20di%20strumenti%20compensativi%20e_o%20di%20misure%20dispensative%20e%20di%20ausili%20specifici%20Maggio%202024.pdf