OVERVIEW

The course intends to deepen an analysis of history, themes, authors and works of medieval and humanistic Latin literature, whose primary purpose is to study the ways in which the works of the Middle Ages and Latin humanism have come down to us. A series of Latin texts produced from the sixth to the fourteenth century, representative of some specific literary genres, will be examined and, through their direct reading, the methods of textual criticism will be illustrated and the tools will be provided to allow their critical interpretation also in relation to the historical context in which they are inserted.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim of the course is providing an in-depth study of specific themes of medieval and humanistic Latin literature through the reading of representative passages of the main literary genres; Focus will also be given on the philological aspect in order to illustrate the problems and methodologies used for the critical reconstruction of medieval and humanistic Latin texts. The teaching also aims to offer a broad presentation of the forms of entertainment and theater between the Middle Ages and Humanism.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to provide an in-depth study, with specific readings, of the cultural and literary development of certain literary genres and to present the evolution of the notion of theater and spectacle from the Middle Ages to Latin Humanism. The intent of the teaching will also be to identify the links between medieval and humanistic Latin literature and classical Latin literature in order to identify lines of continuity and discontinuity. At the end of the course the student should be able to have a thorough knowledge of the history of Latin literature from the sixth to the fifteenth century and the evolution of theatrical forms in the transition from classical antiquity, the Middle Ages and Humanism; to make connections between authors, works and literary genres; to apply philological methodologies to individual texts; to argue about the subject matter using the specific vocabulary of the discipline consciously and appropriately; to acquire a greater ability to manage one's social interactions with a collaborative attitude, constructive communication and dialogical skills as well as to demonstrate autonomy of work, ability to handle primary literature and sources, argumentative skills and collaborative attidudes, coordination and negotiation.

PREREQUISITES

In order to face the program without difficulty, it would be advisable for those who intend to enroll in this course to have a knowledge, at least basic, of the classical Latin language and literature.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching activity will be carried out in presence through lectures in which the topics of the program will be explained and readings of Middle Latin and humanistic texts will be carried out, with Italian translation and commentary. During the course, external experts may be invited to lecture on specific topics. Students will also be asked to present short reports in class on topics agreed with the teacher. Regular attendance, active participation in lessons and individual study will allow to achieve the set goals.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Program for students who use 6 CFU teaching
During the course some fundamental themes of Latin literature of the Middle Ages from the sixth to the fourteenth century will be addressed, with its main genres, authors and works, and some issues related to the transmission of texts and philological research will be presented. Anthological readings, analyzes and comments on historiographical and theatrical texts from the Middle Ages and Humanism will therefore be provided. A module of lectures will be specifically dedicated to the history of medieval and humanistic Latin theater through a series of readings of texts with Italian translation in front and continuous commentary.

Program for students who use 6 CFU teaching
During the course some fundamental themes of Latin literature of the Middle Ages from the sixth to the fourteenth century will be addressed, with its main genres, authors and works, and some issues related to the transmission of texts and philological research will be presented. Anthological readings, analyzes and comments on historiographical and theatrical texts from the Middle Ages and Humanism will therefore be provided. A module of lectures will be specifically dedicated to the history of medieval and humanistic Latin theater through a series of readings of texts with Italian translation in front and continuous commentary. There is also an in-depth study of an author, a work or a critical reading inherent in the program.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography for students who use the teaching for 6 credits

Students who, in their path, have NEVER taken an exam in Medieval and Humanistic Latin Literature will have to study:

E. D’angelo, Letteratura latina medievale. Una storia per generi, Viella 2009 (the teacher will provide a list of authors)

G. Cappelli, L’Umanesimo italiano da Petrarca a Valla, Carocci 2010 (the teacher will provide a list of authors)

L.D. Reynolds – N.G. Wilson, Copisti e filologi. La tradizione dei classici dall’antichità ai tempi moderni, Antenore, Padova 1987. [chapters III, IV, VI]

J. Le Goff, Gli intellettuali nel Medioevo, Mondadori, Milano 2007. [only for non attending students]

Students who, on the other hand, have already taken an exam of medieval and humanistic Latin literature will study:

Letteratura latina medievale (secoli VI-XV). Un manuale, a cura di C. Leonardi, Sismel-Edizioni del Galluzzo, Firenze 2002.

L.D. Reynolds – N.G. Wilson, Copisti e filologi. La tradizione dei classici dall’antichità ai tempi moderni, Antenore, Padova 1987. [chapters III, IV, VI]

J. Le Goff, Gli intellettuali nel Medioevo, Mondadori, Milano 2007. [only for non attending students]

Other literature will be provided in the course of the lectures.

Bibliography for students who use the teaching for 9 credits

Students who, in their path, have NEVER taken an exam in Medieval and Humanistic Latin Literature will have to study:

E. D’angelo, Letteratura latina medievale. Una storia per generi, Viella 2009 (the teacher will provide a list of authors)

G. Cappelli, L’Umanesimo italiano da Petrarca a Valla, Carocci 2010 (the teacher will provide a list of authors)

L.D. Reynolds – N.G. Wilson, Copisti e filologi. La tradizione dei classici dall’antichità ai tempi moderni, Antenore, Padova 1987. [chapters III, IV, VI]

J. Le Goff, Gli intellettuali nel Medioevo, Mondadori, Milano 2007. [only for non attending students]

Students who, on the other hand, have already taken an exam of medieval and humanistic Latin literature will study:

Letteratura latina medievale (secoli VI-XV). Un manuale, a cura di C. Leonardi, Sismel-Edizioni del Galluzzo, Firenze 2002.

L.D. Reynolds – N.G. Wilson, Copisti e filologi. La tradizione dei classici dall’antichità ai tempi moderni, Antenore, Padova 1987. [chapters III, IV, VI]

J. Le Goff, Gli intellettuali nel Medioevo, Mondadori, Milano 2007. [only for non attending students]

Reading a text of your choice between:

L. Allegri, Teatro e spettacolo nel Medioevo, Editori Laterza, Roma-Bari 2022.

E. Auerbach, Lingua letteraria e pubblico nella tarda antichità e nel Medioevo, Feltrinelli, Milano 2007.

F. Delle Donne, La porta del sapere. Cultura alla corte di Federico II di Svevia, Carocci, Roma 2019.

F. Delle Donne – G. Cappelli, Nel regno delle lettere. L’Umanesimo e politica nel mezzogiorno aragonese, Carocci, Roma 2021.

C. H. Haskins, Il rinascimento del XII secolo, Castelvecchi, Roma 2015.

P. Dronke, Donne e cultura nel Medioevo. Scrittrici medievali dal II al XIV secolo, Milano 1986.

M. Montanari, Alimentazione e cultura nel Medioevo, Editori Laterza, Roma-Bari 2019.

N. Ohler, I viaggi nel Medio Evo, Odoya, Perugia 2020.

M. Pacaut, Monaci e religiosi nel Medioevo, Il Mulino, Bologna 1989.

P. Rosso, La scuola nel Medioevo. Secoli VI-XV, Carocci, Roma 2018.

Scrittici del Medioevo. Un'antologia, a cura di E. Bartoli, D. Manzoli, N.Tonelli, Carocci, Roma 2023.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

CLARA FOSSATI (President)

DOMENICO LOSAPPIO

LORENZO VESPOLI (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Attendees: in-class presentation (individually or in small groups) and oral examination: an interview on the program topics and those covered in class. Mode and timing of presentation will be agreed upon in class.
Non-Attendees: the examination consists of an oral test: an interview on the program topics.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During the exam, the real acquisition by the student of what has been learned will be verified both on the basis of individual study and by listening to the topics covered during the lessons. The learning assessment aims to test the knowledge and skills related to the specific field of study. The test therefore evaluates: knowledge of the history of medieval and humanistic Latin literature and its historical-cultural evolution from the sixth to the fifteenth century with particular reference to the forms of entertainment and theater in their historical-cultural development (up to 15/30) ; the ability to re-elaborate the teaching contents and make connections between the topics covered (up to 10/30); the competence in knowing how to apply the acquired methodologies (historical-philological; critical-textual) and in making a conscious use of the specific vocabulary of the discipline (up to 5/30).

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

Those who could not attend the lessons are required to contact the teacher. Furthermore, for any information relating to the program or how to prepare the exam, students are invited to contact the teacher only.

Students with disabilities or DSAs are reminded that in order 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 verified 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 take the exam, including in the knowledge copy both the School's Teacher Referent 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 should specify: the name of the teaching; the date of the call; the student's last name, first name and roll number; the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures deemed functional; and required.  The contact person will confirm to the lecturer that the applicant is entitled to apply for adaptations in the examination and that these adaptations must be agreed upon with the lecturer. The lecturer will respond by informing whether the requested adaptations can be used. Requests should be sent at least 10 days before the date of the call in order to allow the lecturer(s) to evaluate the content. In particular, in case you intend to make use of 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 not be the technical time needed to make any changes

For more information on requesting services and adaptations, please refer to:  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