OVERVIEW

Medieval and Humanistic Latin Literature focuses on Latin literary works produced during the Middle Ages and the Humanistic period, examining their authors, genres, and the cultural contexts in which they were developed. It can also serve as a valuable resource for gathering historical, artistic, and archaeological information.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course aims to provide an essential overview of the main genres and authors of Latin literature from the sixth to the fifteenth century, also through the reading and commentary of some texts, with particular attention to the identification of possible relationships between literary facts and aspects of the historical, artistic and archaeological fields.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of this course is to provide an overview of the most significant topics related to Medieval and Humanist Latin literature, also through the direct reading of texts. Part of the course will be specifically devoted to the reading, analysis, and commentary of substantial excerpts from two Medieval Latin works, with the aim of highlighting the connections between literary aspects and issues of a more strictly historical and archaeological nature.

Participation in the proposed learning activities and individual study will enable students to acquire:

• a theoretical and methodological understanding of the main issues related to the subject;

• the ability to critically address topics related to fundamental literary knowledge;

• the ability to apply the theoretical and methodological tools acquired to concrete and specific cases;

• the ability to analyze a Medieval Latin literary text and place it within its proper historical and cultural context;

• the ability to analyze a Medieval Latin literary text and identify its connections with historical, artistic, and archaeological aspects;

• the ability to develop a critical approach that allows for the assessment of various interpretations and evaluations of a text and the formulation of personal hypotheses;

• the ability to communicate the specific aspects of the subject using appropriate terminology;

• the ability to critically consult reference texts and bibliographical materials.

PREREQUISITES

None.

TEACHING METHODS

Lessons will be held in presence only. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. It is possible that some lectures will be held in seminar form by experts in the subject.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will provide an overview of the history of Latin literature from Late Antiquity to the Humanist period, including the reading and commentary of selected significant texts. Among the topics to be addressed are:

• the periods of the medieval millennium;

• culture and education in the Middle Ages and the Humanist era;

• the languages of the Middle Ages;

• the transmission of texts in the medieval and humanist periods;

• the genres of Medieval and Humanist Latin literature, between continuity and innovation;

• the city between history and literature.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

For attending students:

1. course materials provided by the instructor on Aulaweb;

2. anthology of texts to be read and discussed in class (available on Aulaweb, along with the course materials);

3. class notes, slides, and additional bibliographic material provided during lectures;

4. selected readings and commentary from De magnalibus Mediolani by Bonvesin da la Riva (edition: Bonvesin da la Riva, Le meraviglie di Milano (De magnalibus Mediolani), a cura di P. Chiesa, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla-A. Mondadori, [Roma-Milano] 2009);

5. selected readings and commentary from Liber de obsidione Ancone by Boncompagno da Signa (edition: Boncompagno da Signa, L’assedio di Ancona. Liber de obsidione Ancone, a cura di P. Garbini, Viella, Roma 1999).

For non-attending students:

1. course materials provided by the instructor on Aulaweb;

2. full reading of De magnalibus Mediolani by Bonvesin da la Riva (edition: Bonvesin da la Riva, Le meraviglie di Milano (De magnalibus Mediolani), a cura di P. Chiesa, Fondazione Lorenzo Valla-A. Mondadori, [Roma-Milano] 2009);

3. full reading of Liber de obsidione Ancone by Boncompagno da Signa (edition: Boncompagno da Signa, L’assedio di Ancona. Liber de obsidione Ancone, a cura di P. Garbini, Viella, Roma 1999).

Non-attending students are required to contact the teacher in advance for a more detailed explanation of the examination program. It is not mandatory but may be helpful to accompany exam preparation with the reading of: E. D'Angelo, La letteratura latina medievale. Una storia per generi, Viella, Roma 2009.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

February 2026.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

Oral.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will typically consist of four to five questions related to the topics listed in the "Raccommended Reading/Bibliography" section. Students will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of the subjects covered in the course and to accurately comment on and contextualize the texts from a historical, cultural, and literary perspective.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (SLD).

Students with disabilities or SLD are reminded that in order to request adjustments to the exam, they must first enter the certification on the University website on page servizionline.unige.it in the "Students" section. The documentation will be verified by the Services Sector for the inclusion of students with disabilities and SLD of the University (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111).

Subsequently, at least 10 days before the exam date, it is necessary to send an e-mail to the teacher, inserting in a copy of knowledge both the School Referent teacher for the inclusion of students with disabilities and with SLD (contact e-mail) and the Sector indicated above. In the e-mail, you must specify:

The name of the course

The date of the exam

Student's surname, first name and matriculation number

Compensatory instruments and dispensation measures deemed functional and required.

The contact person will confirm to the teacher that the applicant has the right to request adaptations during the exam and that these adaptations must be agreed with the teacher. The teacher will respond by communicating if it is possible to use the required adaptations.

Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the date of the exam in order to allow the teacher to evaluate the content. In particular, if you intend to use concept maps for the exam (which must be much more concise than the maps used for the study), if the submission does not meet the deadlines, there will not be the technical time necessary 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