Romance Philology
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The learning objective of this course is to introduce the students to the historical-comparative study of Romance languages and literature starting from their medieval origin, through a direct review of medieval texts and their tradition.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course the students will know the underlying principles of the discipline, especially regarding the linguistic and literary origins of medieval Romance world in his historical context. The students will learn to analyse in depth one or more literary texts, dealing with subjects as genres and critical methodologies for their interpretation. The students will learn the foundations of Romance languages' history and classification and learn to read literary texts in the context of their time and point out their linguistic features. The students will become autonomous in translating the texts (if in a language different from Old Italian) or paraphrasing them (if in Old Italian) and be able to resource bibliographical information, critical essays and basic methodology of the teaching. In their exam, the students will be asked to illustrate their competence in presenting clearly and correctly what they have learnt during the course.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
A-H
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Course title (60 hours and 9 ECTS): Reading of Chrétien de Troyes' Cligès.
Didactic Unit A (20 hours and 3 ECTS): Introduction to Medieval Romance Literature
Didactic Unit B (20 hours and 3 ECTS): Reading of Chrétien de Troyes' Cligès
Didactic Unit C (20 hours and 3 ECTS): Elements of Romance Linguistics
The course is addressed to students of the Degree Course in Humanities, whose surname starts from A to H that are studying the discipline for the first time: for students of the curriculum "Modern Literatures" it is obligatory and awards 9 ECTS; for students of the curriculum "Sciences of Antiquity" it is offered among other disciplines and awards 6 ECTS. The course is aimed also at students of the Degree Course in Science of Cultural Heritage (L-1) to whom it is offered as an option, together with other disciplines, for 9 ECTS. For students of Philosophical Sciences (Master Programme, LM 78) it is offered as an option among other disciplines for 6 ECTS. For students of the Master Programme in History and Criticism of Art and for students of the Master's Programme in Philology, Literature and History of Antiquity (LM-15) that have not already taken a course in Romance philology, it is offered as an option among other disciplines for 6 ECTS.
The course programme will focus on the following topics: Unit A will be a historical and literary introduction to the issues of Medieval Romance Literature and to the subject of the course; Unit B will present the theme of the monographic course on Chrétien de Troyes' Cligès; Unit C will introduce some fundamental notions of Romance Linguistics. Offering the students an outline of Medieval Romance Literature, this year in particular the novel Cligès of Chrétien de Troyes will be analysed, one of the most outstanding medieval authors who established the rules of chivalric tale, thus becoming a forerunner of the genre of the modern novel. Cligès, intended by the author as his masterpiece, introduces the lovestory of Fenice and Cligès, similar to, but also polemic, with the then well-known affair of Tristan and Isolde. This elegant novel, rhetorically refined and with several references to the author's contemporaneity is set between Byzantine East and Arthurian West. With its technical rhymes and liveliness it implements a translatio studii and a courtly ars amandi nourished by classical authors (like Vergil and Ovid) intended to reconcile love and society. The text will be read considering courtly literature themes, literary genre, and philological and critical issues. Of some passages and texts the translation but also an in-depth study will be provided.
Other Information for the students
1. Non-attending students are required to contact the Professor during office hours for further information regarding their exam.
International or Erasmus students are invited to contact the Professor of the course.
The examination mode for SLD students and/or students with other disabilities will be agreed upon with the Professor in accordance with the Office in charge.
2. Students of Degree Courses different from Humanities can substitute Unit C (Linguistics) with other studies agreed on with the Professor.
3. Students interested in writing a thesis in Romance Philology (Three-year degree or Master Programme) are recommended to contact the Professor in time in order to define the subject of their work.
Didactic Unit A (20 hours and 3 ECTS): Introduction to Medieval Romance Literature
Didactic Unit B (20 hours and 3 ECTS): Reading of Chrétien de Troyes' Cligès
Didactic Unit C (20 hours and 3 ECTS): Elements of Romance Linguistics
The course is addressed to students of the Degree Course in Humanities, whose surname starts from A to H that are studying the discipline for the first time: for students of the curriculum "Modern Literatures" it is obligatory and awards 9 ECTS; for students of the curriculum "Sciences of Antiquity" it is offered among other disciplines and awards 6 ECTS. The course is aimed also at students of the Degree Course in Science of Cultural Heritage (L-1) to whom it is offered as an option, together with other disciplines, for 9 ECTS. For students of Philosophical Sciences (Master Programme, LM 78) it is offered as an option among other disciplines for 6 ECTS. For students of the Master Programme in History and Criticism of Art and for students of the Master's Programme in Philology, Literature and History of Antiquity (LM-15) that have not already taken a course in Romance philology, it is offered as an option among other disciplines for 6 ECTS.
The course programme will focus on the following topics: Unit A will be a historical and literary introduction to the issues of Medieval Romance Literature and to the subject of the course; Unit B will present the theme of the monographic course on Chrétien de Troyes' Cligès; Unit C will introduce some fundamental notions of Romance Linguistics. Offering the students an outline of Medieval Romance Literature, this year in particular the novel Cligès of Chrétien de Troyes will be analysed, one of the most outstanding medieval authors who established the rules of chivalric tale, thus becoming a forerunner of the genre of the modern novel. Cligès, intended by the author as his masterpiece, introduces the lovestory of Fenice and Cligès, similar to, but also polemic, with the then well-known affair of Tristan and Isolde. This elegant novel, rhetorically refined and with several references to the author's contemporaneity is set between Byzantine East and Arthurian West. With its technical rhymes and liveliness it implements a translatio studii and a courtly ars amandi nourished by classical authors (like Vergil and Ovid) intended to reconcile love and society. The text will be read considering courtly literature themes, literary genre, and philological and critical issues. Of some passages and texts the translation but also an in-depth study will be provided.
Other Information for the students
1. Non-attending students are required to contact the Professor during office hours for further information regarding their exam.
International or Erasmus students are invited to contact the Professor of the course.
The examination mode for SLD students and/or students with other disabilities will be agreed upon with the Professor in accordance with the Office in charge.
2. Students of Degree Courses different from Humanities can substitute Unit C (Linguistics) with other studies agreed on with the Professor.
3. Students interested in writing a thesis in Romance Philology (Three-year degree or Master Programme) are recommended to contact the Professor in time in order to define the subject of their work.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission.
Teaching methods
The course is offered in a lecture format. Attendance of the course is highly recommended. The teaching makes use of bibliographical materials such as critical editions, monographs, essays that will, in part, be uploaded on the Ariel on-line platform.
Teaching Resources
Bibliographical information and exam programme for attending students:
Teaching Unit A
- Notes of the course.
- Alberto Vàrvaro, Letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (Preliminari, pp. 9-82).
Teaching Unit B
- Notes of the course.
- Texts: Chrétien de Troyes, Cligès, a cura di Simonetta Bianchini, Roma, Carocci, 2012.
Please Note: At the end of the course a detailed list of verses and texts to be studied for the exam (reading, translation and commentary) as well as some other texts and studies will be provided.
Teaching Unit C
- Charmaine Lee, Linguistica romanza, Roma, Carocci. To study pp. 15-69, to read the rest of the book, except pp. 93-96 and pp. 106-113.
Bibliographical information and exam programme for non-attending students:
Teaching Unit A
- Alberto Vàrvaro, Letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (Preliminari, pp. 9-82).
Teaching Unit B
- Texts: Chrétien de Troyes, Cligès, a cura di Simonetta Bianchini, Roma, Carocci, 2012.
Please Note: At the end of the course a detailed list of verses and texts to be studied for the exam (reading, translation and commentary) as well as some other texts and studies will be provided..
Teaching Unit C
- Charmaine Lee, Linguistica romanza, Roma, Carocci. Pp. 15-69 to be studied, the rest of the book to read, except pp. 93-96 and pp. 106-113.
Teaching Unit A
- Notes of the course.
- Alberto Vàrvaro, Letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (Preliminari, pp. 9-82).
Teaching Unit B
- Notes of the course.
- Texts: Chrétien de Troyes, Cligès, a cura di Simonetta Bianchini, Roma, Carocci, 2012.
Please Note: At the end of the course a detailed list of verses and texts to be studied for the exam (reading, translation and commentary) as well as some other texts and studies will be provided.
Teaching Unit C
- Charmaine Lee, Linguistica romanza, Roma, Carocci. To study pp. 15-69, to read the rest of the book, except pp. 93-96 and pp. 106-113.
Bibliographical information and exam programme for non-attending students:
Teaching Unit A
- Alberto Vàrvaro, Letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (Preliminari, pp. 9-82).
Teaching Unit B
- Texts: Chrétien de Troyes, Cligès, a cura di Simonetta Bianchini, Roma, Carocci, 2012.
Please Note: At the end of the course a detailed list of verses and texts to be studied for the exam (reading, translation and commentary) as well as some other texts and studies will be provided..
Teaching Unit C
- Charmaine Lee, Linguistica romanza, Roma, Carocci. Pp. 15-69 to be studied, the rest of the book to read, except pp. 93-96 and pp. 106-113.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The assessment method is an oral exam in which students will present what they have learnt during the course, their knowledge of the texts, the bibliography and the basic methodology of the discipline. For Unit C (Romance Linguistics) a facultative written exam is foreseen, which, if passed, replaces unit C in the oral exam. Marks will be out of 30. Such written test will take place in the months of June, September and January, and will be valid for one year; the written test is structured in three open-ended questions; students will be allowed three hours to complete this part. The score of the written exam for those who pass will be published on the Department website and on the bulletin board of the Department, and will contribute to the final mark (on the basis of the avarage mark). Students who do not pass the written test can take Unit C during the oral examination. Assessment criteria of the exams will include: the ability to organise clearly and correctly knowledge of texts and themes dealt with in the course and to show critical thinking; the quality and clarity of expression and the competence in the use of discipline-specific language; autonomy in translating the texts and using the bibliographical information, the critical essays and the methods of the programme.
Unita' didattica A
L-FIL-LET/09 - ROMANCE PHILOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-FIL-LET/09 - ROMANCE PHILOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-FIL-LET/09 - ROMANCE PHILOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
I-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The following topics will be dealt with:
Teaching unit A (20 hours, 3 UFC): Introduction to Romance linguistics
Teaching unit B (20 hours, 3 UFC): Origins and development of Romance literatures
Teaching unit C (20 hours, 3 UFC): For and against women: philogyny and misogyny in Romance Middle Ages.
Teaching unit A (20 hours, 3 UFC): Introduction to Romance linguistics
Teaching unit B (20 hours, 3 UFC): Origins and development of Romance literatures
Teaching unit C (20 hours, 3 UFC): For and against women: philogyny and misogyny in Romance Middle Ages.
Prerequisites for admission
No prerequisites for admission
Teaching methods
The course consists of 60 hours of lectures; texts analysis activity will also be carried out and cases studies will be discussed. The course relies on e-learning material, available on the Ariel 2.0 platform.
Attendance of this course is strongly recommended.
Attendance of this course is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
For attending students
Teaching Unit A:
- Personal class notes;
- P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017: in-depth study of pp. 19-22; 37-52; 63-73; 85-110; 133-196; 305-309, and informative reading of pp. 23-36; 75-8;
- Other learning materials will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Teaching Unit B:
- Personal class notes;
- M. L. Meneghetti, Le origini delle letterature medievali romanze, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 2009 (8° ed.): in-depth study of pp. 3-41; 53-80; 86-92; 125-233 (Note: the photographic figures section is a constitutive part of the program);
- P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017: in-depth study of pp. 199-301, and informative reading of pp. 53-61;
- Other learning materials will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Teaching Unit C:
- Personal class notes;
- An anthology of Romance texts, which will be analysed and translated during the course will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the beginning of the Teaching Unit C;
- A list of critical essays to be studied in depth (only the section: "all students"), will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
For non-attending students
Non-attending students are required to get proper notes from their colleagues. Notes should be taken carefully and students should try to have a complete set of notes for each part of the course. Bibliography is listed below.
Teaching Unit A:
- Class notes (to get autonomously);
- P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017: in-depth study of pp. 19-36; 37-52; 63-78; 85-110; 133-196; 305-309;
- Other learning materials available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Teaching Unit B:
- Class notes (to get autonomously);
- M. L. Meneghetti, Le origini delle letterature medievali romanze, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 2009, 8° ed. (Note: the photographic figures section is a constitutive part of the program);
- P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017: in-depth study of pp. 53-61; 199-301;
- Other learning materials available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Teaching Unit C:
- Class notes (to get autonomously);
- An anthology of Romance texts, which will be analysed and translated during the course, available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the beginning of the Teaching Unit C;
- A list of critical essays to be studied in depth (sections: "all students" and "not-attending students"), will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Teaching Unit A:
- Personal class notes;
- P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017: in-depth study of pp. 19-22; 37-52; 63-73; 85-110; 133-196; 305-309, and informative reading of pp. 23-36; 75-8;
- Other learning materials will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Teaching Unit B:
- Personal class notes;
- M. L. Meneghetti, Le origini delle letterature medievali romanze, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 2009 (8° ed.): in-depth study of pp. 3-41; 53-80; 86-92; 125-233 (Note: the photographic figures section is a constitutive part of the program);
- P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017: in-depth study of pp. 199-301, and informative reading of pp. 53-61;
- Other learning materials will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Teaching Unit C:
- Personal class notes;
- An anthology of Romance texts, which will be analysed and translated during the course will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the beginning of the Teaching Unit C;
- A list of critical essays to be studied in depth (only the section: "all students"), will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
For non-attending students
Non-attending students are required to get proper notes from their colleagues. Notes should be taken carefully and students should try to have a complete set of notes for each part of the course. Bibliography is listed below.
Teaching Unit A:
- Class notes (to get autonomously);
- P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017: in-depth study of pp. 19-36; 37-52; 63-78; 85-110; 133-196; 305-309;
- Other learning materials available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Teaching Unit B:
- Class notes (to get autonomously);
- M. L. Meneghetti, Le origini delle letterature medievali romanze, Bari-Roma, Laterza, 2009, 8° ed. (Note: the photographic figures section is a constitutive part of the program);
- P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2017: in-depth study of pp. 53-61; 199-301;
- Other learning materials available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Teaching Unit C:
- Class notes (to get autonomously);
- An anthology of Romance texts, which will be analysed and translated during the course, available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the beginning of the Teaching Unit C;
- A list of critical essays to be studied in depth (sections: "all students" and "not-attending students"), will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a single oral test.
However, it is possible to take an optional written pre-test, on the programme of Teaching Unit A, which consists of some open-ended questions. There are three exam sessions during the year (in May, in September or in January). If the student passes the written test, he will take only Units B and C to the oral exam.
The mark of the written test will be valid for a solar year. Students who have not passed the written test may attend the oral examination in the same session, taking the exam on the programme of all three teaching units.
The oral examination will ascertain:
1) knowledge of the programme contents;
2) ability of critical thinking;
3) quality and efficacy of presentation;
4) competence in the use of discipline-specific terminology;
5) ability in translating (or paraphrasing, if in ancient Italian), commenting and contextualising a Medieval text.
The part of the exam dedicated to texts (Unit C) always starts with the reading and translation (or the paraphrase) of one or more passages. The ability to read and translate without the support of interlinear versions and/or personal notes is essential to pass the exam.
Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher during office hours of by e-mail before beginning preparation for the exam.
National and international students or incoming Erasmus are promptly invited to contact the teacher of the course.
The exam mode for SLD students and/or for students with other disabilities will have to be agreed with the teacher in accordance with the Office in charge.
However, it is possible to take an optional written pre-test, on the programme of Teaching Unit A, which consists of some open-ended questions. There are three exam sessions during the year (in May, in September or in January). If the student passes the written test, he will take only Units B and C to the oral exam.
The mark of the written test will be valid for a solar year. Students who have not passed the written test may attend the oral examination in the same session, taking the exam on the programme of all three teaching units.
The oral examination will ascertain:
1) knowledge of the programme contents;
2) ability of critical thinking;
3) quality and efficacy of presentation;
4) competence in the use of discipline-specific terminology;
5) ability in translating (or paraphrasing, if in ancient Italian), commenting and contextualising a Medieval text.
The part of the exam dedicated to texts (Unit C) always starts with the reading and translation (or the paraphrase) of one or more passages. The ability to read and translate without the support of interlinear versions and/or personal notes is essential to pass the exam.
Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher during office hours of by e-mail before beginning preparation for the exam.
National and international students or incoming Erasmus are promptly invited to contact the teacher of the course.
The exam mode for SLD students and/or for students with other disabilities will have to be agreed with the teacher in accordance with the Office in charge.
Unita' didattica A
L-FIL-LET/09 - ROMANCE PHILOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-FIL-LET/09 - ROMANCE PHILOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-FIL-LET/09 - ROMANCE PHILOLOGY AND LINGUISTICS - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
In the second semester, the student reception takes place by appointment, approximately on Monday or Tuesday mornings. To request an appointment, please email [email protected].
Teacher’s Office, Dipartimento di Studi letterari, filologici e linguistici, sezione Modernistica - First floor