Romance philology
A.Y. 2020/2021
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 (In case of multiple editions, please check the period, as it may vary)
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Course syllabus and organization
A-H
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
If the health emergency continues, lectures will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams, mainly in asynchronous mode, but with regular synchronous appointments (at least once a fortnight); some activities may also take place via Zoom platform.
Students will find all the information to access the digital lectures (links, notices, etc.), as well as any changes to the program or bibliography to be studied, on the Ariel website of the course at the beginning of the second semester.
If the exam can't take place as provided in the Syllabus, it will be held online (the procedure will be communicated on the Ariel website at the end of the course).
Students will find all the information to access the digital lectures (links, notices, etc.), as well as any changes to the program or bibliography to be studied, on the Ariel website of the course at the beginning of the second semester.
If the exam can't take place as provided in the Syllabus, it will be held online (the procedure will be communicated on the Ariel website at the end of the course).
Course syllabus
The following topics will be dealt with:
A. Introduction to Romance linguistics (20 hours, 3 UFC).
B. Origins and development of Romance literatures (20 hours, 3 UFC).
C. The persecuted maiden: reading and analysis of Philippe de Remi's Roman de la Manekine (20 hours, 3 UFC).
The course is addressed to students whose surname begins with A-H, attending the first year of the Humanities Degree Course: it is compulsory for students of the "Modern Literatures" curriculum and it awards 9 ECTS credits; it is suggested among other disciplines for students of the "Sciences of Antiquity" curriculum and it awards 6 ECTS credits (parts A and B). The course is also addressed to students of the Cultural Heritage Science Degree Course (L-1), to whom it is suggested as an option, together with other disciplines, for 9 ECTS credits. It is suggested as an option among other disciplines for 6 ECTS credits (parts A and B) to students of Philosophical Sciences (Master's Programme, LM 78). This course is also offered, as an option among other disciplines and awards 6 ECTS credits (parts A and B), to students who have not taken a Romance Philology course yet, but attend the Master's Programme in History and Criticism of Art or attend the Master's Programme in Philology, Literature and History of Antiquity (LM-15).
A. Introduction to Romance linguistics (20 hours, 3 UFC).
B. Origins and development of Romance literatures (20 hours, 3 UFC).
C. The persecuted maiden: reading and analysis of Philippe de Remi's Roman de la Manekine (20 hours, 3 UFC).
The course is addressed to students whose surname begins with A-H, attending the first year of the Humanities Degree Course: it is compulsory for students of the "Modern Literatures" curriculum and it awards 9 ECTS credits; it is suggested among other disciplines for students of the "Sciences of Antiquity" curriculum and it awards 6 ECTS credits (parts A and B). The course is also addressed to students of the Cultural Heritage Science Degree Course (L-1), to whom it is suggested as an option, together with other disciplines, for 9 ECTS credits. It is suggested as an option among other disciplines for 6 ECTS credits (parts A and B) to students of Philosophical Sciences (Master's Programme, LM 78). This course is also offered, as an option among other disciplines and awards 6 ECTS credits (parts A and B), to students who have not taken a Romance Philology course yet, but attend the Master's Programme in History and Criticism of Art or attend the Master's Programme in Philology, Literature and History of Antiquity (LM-15).
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
All students are required to study:
For part 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.
For part 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.
For part C:
- Personal class notes;
- Philippe de Remi, La Manekine, a cura di C. Rossi, Edizioni dell'Orso, Alessandria, 2017;
- A list of critical essays to be studied in depth , will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Warning 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.
Further bibliography to be studied must be agreeded with the teacher at the student reception.
For part 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.
For part 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.
For part C:
- Personal class notes;
- Philippe de Remi, La Manekine, a cura di C. Rossi, Edizioni dell'Orso, Alessandria, 2017;
- A list of critical essays to be studied in depth , will be available online on the Ariel 2.0 platform at the end of the course.
Warning 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.
Further bibliography to be studied must be agreeded with the teacher at the student reception.
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 Romance linguistics (part 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 remaining parts of programme to the oral exam.
If the health emergency continues, the written test can be suspended.
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 all parts of the programme.
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 Romance linguistics (part 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 remaining parts of programme to the oral exam.
If the health emergency continues, the written test can be suspended.
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 all parts of the programme.
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
I-Z
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
The course is offered in remote format (Microsoft Teams) mostly in synchronous mode (the synchronous lessons will be recorded and mixed eventually with asynchronous mode, audiorecordings, written texts and bibliography). Students will find all the informations (link for the course, Notices, etc.), some materials and eventually changes of the course programme or bibliography on Ariel's site of the discipline. Assessment method and criteria: if the assessment criteria of the exam can't take place as foreseen in the Syllabus, it will be replaced by an oral remote exam for all the Teaching Units as will be announced on the bulletin board on Ariel's site of the discipline at the end of the course.
Course syllabus
Course title (60 hours and 9 ECTS): Reading of Giovanni Boccaccio's «Rime».
A (20 hours and 3 ECTS): Introduction to Medieval Romance Literature
B (20 hours and 3 ECTS): Reading of Giovanni Boccaccio's «Rime».
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 I to Z 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: Part A will be a historical and literary introduction to the issues of Medieval Romance Literature and to the subject of the course; Part B will present the theme of the monographic course on Giovanni Boccaccio's «Rime»; Part C will introduce some fundamental notions of Romance Linguistics. Offering the students an outline of Medieval Romance Literature, this year in particular the monographic programme will mainly look into the «Rime» of Giovanni Boccaccio (B). The lyric poetry of the master story-teller span a chrolological period that goes from his youth and his earliest literary activity at Naples, to the years following the «Decameron», his last years, and is receptive to a variety of tendencies and traditions, such as influences derived from Dante, Cino da Pistoia and other Stilnovo poets. It is precisely this, as the «Rime» utilises a rich series of literary ingredients, different sources and lyric traditions, that makes a study of the «Rime» so fascinating and instructive, and all the more so if we consider that the implications drawn from such a study hold true for all of his minor works in general, on the strongly innovative path of Boccaccio's literary experiments that will lead to the composition of the «Decameron».
Of some passages and texts the paraphrase 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.
Please Note: in the current situation the Reception until further notice, will take place telematically by appointment: for reservations please write an e-mail to: beatrice.barbiellini@unimi.it
A (20 hours and 3 ECTS): Introduction to Medieval Romance Literature
B (20 hours and 3 ECTS): Reading of Giovanni Boccaccio's «Rime».
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 I to Z 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: Part A will be a historical and literary introduction to the issues of Medieval Romance Literature and to the subject of the course; Part B will present the theme of the monographic course on Giovanni Boccaccio's «Rime»; Part C will introduce some fundamental notions of Romance Linguistics. Offering the students an outline of Medieval Romance Literature, this year in particular the monographic programme will mainly look into the «Rime» of Giovanni Boccaccio (B). The lyric poetry of the master story-teller span a chrolological period that goes from his youth and his earliest literary activity at Naples, to the years following the «Decameron», his last years, and is receptive to a variety of tendencies and traditions, such as influences derived from Dante, Cino da Pistoia and other Stilnovo poets. It is precisely this, as the «Rime» utilises a rich series of literary ingredients, different sources and lyric traditions, that makes a study of the «Rime» so fascinating and instructive, and all the more so if we consider that the implications drawn from such a study hold true for all of his minor works in general, on the strongly innovative path of Boccaccio's literary experiments that will lead to the composition of the «Decameron».
Of some passages and texts the paraphrase 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.
Please Note: in the current situation the Reception until further notice, will take place telematically by appointment: for reservations please write an e-mail to: beatrice.barbiellini@unimi.it
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:
A
- Notes of the course.
- Alberto Vàrvaro, Letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (Preliminari, pp. 9-82).
B
- Notes of the course.
- Texts: Giovanni Boccaccio, Le rime, a cura di Antonio Lanza, Roma, Aracne, 2010.
Please Note: At the end of the course a detailed list of verses and texts to be studied for the exam (reading, paraphrase and commentary) as well as some other texts and studies will be provided.
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:
A
- Alberto Vàrvaro, Letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (Preliminari, pp. 9-82).
B
- Texts: Giovanni Boccaccio, Le rime, a cura di Antonio Lanza, Roma, Aracne, 2010.
Please Note: At the end of the course a detailed list of verses and texts to be studied for the exam (reading, paraphrase and commentary) as well as some other texts and studies will be provided.
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.
A
- Notes of the course.
- Alberto Vàrvaro, Letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (Preliminari, pp. 9-82).
B
- Notes of the course.
- Texts: Giovanni Boccaccio, Le rime, a cura di Antonio Lanza, Roma, Aracne, 2010.
Please Note: At the end of the course a detailed list of verses and texts to be studied for the exam (reading, paraphrase and commentary) as well as some other texts and studies will be provided.
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:
A
- Alberto Vàrvaro, Letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1985 (Preliminari, pp. 9-82).
B
- Texts: Giovanni Boccaccio, Le rime, a cura di Antonio Lanza, Roma, Aracne, 2010.
Please Note: At the end of the course a detailed list of verses and texts to be studied for the exam (reading, paraphrase and commentary) as well as some other texts and studies will be provided.
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 Part C (Romance Linguistics) a facultative written exam is foreseen, which, if passed, replaces Part 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 average mark). Students who do not pass the written test can take Part 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 paraphrasing or 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
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Until further notice, student reception will take place telematically by appointment, through Microsoft Teams. For reservations please write an e-mail to: roberto.tagliani@unimi.it
Microsoft Teams