OVERVIEW

The Course focuses on the documents produced by the Commune  during the Medieval age through the study of the external and internal features of the documents, their evolution, the redactors (notaries, scribes, registrars). Plenty of time will be dedicated to help the students acquire the skills to properly read and analyze the different kinds of documents.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim of the course is gaining knowledge on the evolution of the extrinsic and intrinsic characters of the documents produced by the episcopal curiae and by the municipal chancelleries; learning about modern publishing standards; gaining the ability to recognize and read documentary writings of the same fields.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the Course the students should be able to:

• detail the different reasons and the main steps of the historical evolution of the documentary sources produced by the Italian Communes chancelleries.
• display independence of judgement and express analytical observations on the production, use and conservation of the documents originated by the mentioned institutions.
• show competence in reading the documentary sources of the Medieval age.
• acquire communication abilities to verbally express the concepts learned, with consistency in argument, systematic rigorousness, and a good grasp of the specific vocabulary.

TEACHING METHODS

Teacher-to-students classes, with practical readings and observations with the help of facsimile (slides)

Documents and facsimiles used during the lessons can be downloaded by pen drive/USB key at the docent’s room (via Balbi 2, 2nd floor)

Classes are held in presence. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. The lecturer, at the specific request of a student (by e-mail), may allow him/her to follow classes remotely via “Teams” platform and to view class recordings.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Regarding the documentary sources produced by the main institution of the medieval town, the education process will analyse:

• the history of the studies of documents, with a special focus on municipalities diplomatics
• the beginning of the chanceries and their development over time
• internal and external features of the main typologies of documents and their development
• relationships over time with the redactors, especially the notaries, working for the Communal curia

Additionally, the classes will work on:

• comment and analysis of some specific bibliography with reference to the Commune of Genoa;
• reading of 6 documents.

For non-attending students, in addition, an ad hoc path through readings and texts of their choice

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

A. Bartoli Langeli, Il notariato, in Genova, Venezia, il Levante nei secoli XII-XIV. Atti del convegno, Genova 10-14 marzo 2000, Genova, «Atti della Società Ligure di Storia Patria», XLI/1 (2001), pp. 73-102.

D. Puncuh, La diplomatica comunale in Italia dal saggio del Torelli ai nostri giorni, in La diplomatique urbaine en Europe au moyen âge, Actes du congrès de la Commission internationale de Diplomatique, Gand, 25-29 août 1998, a cura di W. Prevenier et Th. De Hemptinne, Leuwen-Apeldoom 2000, pp. 383-406.

Esigenze istituzionali ed esigenze documentarie a Genova nel secolo XII, a cura di S. Macchiavello, V. Ruzzin, Genova 2023 (Notariorum Itinera. Varia 8).

For non-attending students, in addition, an ad hoc path through readings and texts of their choice

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SANDRA MACCHIAVELLO (President)

VALENTINA RUZZIN

MARIA ELENA CORTESE (Substitute)

STEFANO GARDINI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

11 february 2025.

Class schedule

CHANCERIES AND DOCUMENTS OF MEDIEVAL COMMUNES MODULE 1

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The final test will be an oral examination: the student should prove a good grasp of the specific terminology, a good knowledge of the bibliography, the ability of detailing the subject, the knowledge of the documentary sources, and the related institutions, and proficiency in reading and commenting the documents’ facsimiles seen during the lessons.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The evaluation criteria on the student’s response to the final test (oral examination) will be the following:

• the exam outcome will be evaluated “very good” (grades 28 or 29) or “excellent”  (grades 30 or  30 cum laude) if the students will be able to show a deep understanding of the themes explored during the lessons by using a proper terminology and clearness of exposition, while identifying similarities and differences and quoting the relevant bibliography; the student should also prove to be able of proficiently reading the facsimiles seen at lesson.
• the exam outcome will be evaluated “good” (grades from 26 to 27) or “satisfactory” (grades 23 or 25) if the student, by using a correct terminology, although sometimes not fully appropriate, will display a good knowledge although limited to a quite mnemonic learning without deepening of the subject and a good reading level of the specimens seen at lesson.
• the exam outcome will be evaluated merely “sufficient” (grades between 18 and 22) if the student will display the basic knowledge of the themes, but limited vocabulary and limited skills in reading the relevant documents.
• - the exam will have negative outcome if the student will display lack of knowledge of the subject and won’t be able to manage the proper vocabulary.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Regular attendance is highly recommended.

The program for attending and non-attending students is the same in consideration of the difficulty on the part of the latter to achieve a good preparation on their own in reading and commenting on the facsimiles of the scriptures proposed in class.