Historical Methodology: Interpreting Medieval Sources
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course aims to offer the necessary tools to analyze, provide the knowledge of the main forms and the most important editions of the sources of Medieval History. The course also aims to provide lexical and conceptual tools suitable for both scientific and popular historical communication.
Expected learning outcomes
The course aims to introduce participants to historical reflection of sources for the study of Medieval History, opening them to the use of the main documentary collections published and unpublished and the printed and online bibliographic tools essential for the study of the Middle Ages. Through the analysis of concrete examples, students will be introduced to different methodologies of historical investigation and the study of archival documentation. At the end of the course students will be able to critically read primary sources and scientific texts relating to the historical period under consideration and develop independent reflections on the main historical and historiographical issues of the Medieval period. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous comparison with the aid of the instructor in the classroom: in particular, through critical reflection on documents and texts proposed for individual analysis and participation in seminar activities. These will be expressed during the course, through presentation and discussion by the students - individually or in groups - regarding documents proposed by the instructor.
Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.
Students opting not to attend the lessons will be able to make use of the educational tools provided by the instructor on Ariel, deepen their knowledge of main topics through special readings with the agreement with the instructor, and of course contact the instructor either by e-mail and during office hours.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: The Italian Communes in XIIth Century
Part 1: The sources for Middle Age History
Part 2: The sources for the history of the origins of Italian communes
Part 3: Excercices with documents
Part 1: The sources for Middle Age History
Part 2: The sources for the history of the origins of Italian communes
Part 3: Excercices with documents
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the admission to the MA degree in historical science.
Teaching methods
Attendance to classes is strongly recommended although not compulsory. The teaching is delivered through frontal lectures aimed primarily at the acquisition of knowledge, competence and specific language of the subject. Discussion with the teacher in the classroom is integrant part of the didactic method and aims at promoting a critical attitude and the capacity to apply the acquired competence and knowledge.
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on Ariel.
In addition to frontal lectures, team works and/or individual presentations are envisaged
The teaching is also based on didactic and multimedia material provided on Ariel.
In addition to frontal lectures, team works and/or individual presentations are envisaged
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1 and 2)
Knowledge of: P. Grillo, L'ordine della città. Controllo del territorio e repressione del crimine nell'Italia comunale (secoli XIII-XIV), Roma, Viella
And of one of the following volumes:
L. Bertoni, Pavia alla fine del Duecento. Una società urbana tra crescita e crisi, Bologna, Clueb
E. Faini, Italica gens, Roma, Viella
J.-C. Maire Vigueur, L'altra Roma: una storia dei romani all'epoca dei comuni (secoli XII-XIV), Torino, Einaudi
M. Moglia, Il marchese e la città. Le signorie di Oberto Pelavicino, Bruno Mondadori ed.
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1, 2, 3)
Knowledge of both the following volumes:
Knowledge of: P. Grillo, L'ordine della città. Controllo del territorio e repressione del crimine nell'Italia comunale (secoli XIII-XIV), Roma, Viella
And of one of the following volumes:
L. Bertoni, Pavia alla fine del Duecento. Una società urbana tra crescita e crisi, Bologna, Clueb
E. Faini, Italica gens, Roma, Viella
J.-C. Maire Vigueur, L'altra Roma: una storia dei romani all'epoca dei comuni (secoli XII-XIV), Torino, Einaudi
M. Moglia, Il marchese e la città. Le signorie di Oberto Pelavicino, Bruno Mondadori ed.
Non-attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of two of the following two volumes:
P. Cammarosano, Italia medievale. Struttura e geografia delle fonti scritte, Roma, Carocci ed.
P. Grillo, L'ordine della città. Controllo del territorio e repressione del crimine nell'Italia comunale (secoli XIII-XIV), Roma, Viella
And of one of the following volumes:
L. Bertoni, Pavia alla fine del Duecento. Una società urbana tra crescita e crisi, Bologna, Clueb
E. Faini, Italica gens, Roma, Viella
J.-C. Maire Vigueur, L'altra Roma: una storia dei romani all'epoca dei comuni (secoli XII-XIV), Torino, Einaudi
M. Moglia, Il marchese e la città. Le signorie di Oberto Pelavicino, Bruno Mondadori ed.
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Knowledge of the following two volumes:
P. Cammarosano, Italia medievale. Struttura e geografia delle fonti scritte, Roma, Carocci ed.
P. Grillo, L'ordine della città. Controllo del territorio e repressione del crimine nell'Italia comunale (secoli XIII-XIV), Roma, Viella
And knowledge of two of the following volumes:
L. Bertoni, Pavia alla fine del Duecento. Una società urbana tra crescita e crisi, Bologna, Clueb
E. Faini, Italica gens, Roma, Viella
J.-C. Maire Vigueur, L'altra Roma: una storia dei romani all'epoca dei comuni (secoli XII-XIV), Torino, Einaudi
M. Moglia, Il marchese e la città. Le signorie di Oberto Pelavicino, Bruno Mondadori ed.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1 and 2)
Knowledge of: P. Grillo, L'ordine della città. Controllo del territorio e repressione del crimine nell'Italia comunale (secoli XIII-XIV), Roma, Viella
And of one of the following volumes:
L. Bertoni, Pavia alla fine del Duecento. Una società urbana tra crescita e crisi, Bologna, Clueb
E. Faini, Italica gens, Roma, Viella
J.-C. Maire Vigueur, L'altra Roma: una storia dei romani all'epoca dei comuni (secoli XII-XIV), Torino, Einaudi
M. Moglia, Il marchese e la città. Le signorie di Oberto Pelavicino, Bruno Mondadori ed.
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1, 2, 3)
Knowledge of both the following volumes:
Knowledge of: P. Grillo, L'ordine della città. Controllo del territorio e repressione del crimine nell'Italia comunale (secoli XIII-XIV), Roma, Viella
And of one of the following volumes:
L. Bertoni, Pavia alla fine del Duecento. Una società urbana tra crescita e crisi, Bologna, Clueb
E. Faini, Italica gens, Roma, Viella
J.-C. Maire Vigueur, L'altra Roma: una storia dei romani all'epoca dei comuni (secoli XII-XIV), Torino, Einaudi
M. Moglia, Il marchese e la città. Le signorie di Oberto Pelavicino, Bruno Mondadori ed.
Non-attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of two of the following two volumes:
P. Cammarosano, Italia medievale. Struttura e geografia delle fonti scritte, Roma, Carocci ed.
P. Grillo, L'ordine della città. Controllo del territorio e repressione del crimine nell'Italia comunale (secoli XIII-XIV), Roma, Viella
And of one of the following volumes:
L. Bertoni, Pavia alla fine del Duecento. Una società urbana tra crescita e crisi, Bologna, Clueb
E. Faini, Italica gens, Roma, Viella
J.-C. Maire Vigueur, L'altra Roma: una storia dei romani all'epoca dei comuni (secoli XII-XIV), Torino, Einaudi
M. Moglia, Il marchese e la città. Le signorie di Oberto Pelavicino, Bruno Mondadori ed.
- Programme for 9 cfu:
Knowledge of the following two volumes:
P. Cammarosano, Italia medievale. Struttura e geografia delle fonti scritte, Roma, Carocci ed.
P. Grillo, L'ordine della città. Controllo del territorio e repressione del crimine nell'Italia comunale (secoli XIII-XIV), Roma, Viella
And knowledge of two of the following volumes:
L. Bertoni, Pavia alla fine del Duecento. Una società urbana tra crescita e crisi, Bologna, Clueb
E. Faini, Italica gens, Roma, Viella
J.-C. Maire Vigueur, L'altra Roma: una storia dei romani all'epoca dei comuni (secoli XII-XIV), Torino, Einaudi
M. Moglia, Il marchese e la città. Le signorie di Oberto Pelavicino, Bruno Mondadori ed.
International and Erasmus students are invited to promptly get in touch with the professor in order to arrange a reading plan (available in English) for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: oral exam
- Type of examination: oral interrogation
- Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialised lexicon, efficacy, clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
- Type of examination: oral interrogation
- Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialised lexicon, efficacy, clarity.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)