Medieval History

A.Y. 2023/2024
9
Max ECTS
60
Overall hours
SSD
M-STO/01
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide the broad outlines of medieval history, as well as the tools necessary to critically understand the main political, economic, social and religious elements visible during the centuries of the late ancient age to the early Renaissance.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course the student will have acquired the knowledge of the political-institutional, socio-economic and cultural development of Medieval history, from 5th to the 15th centuries. They shall also be able to place the most representative events and figures in their chronological and geographical contexts. The student will be able to use language tools (language properties, correct specific lexicon) to express, in a clear and effective form, concepts of a political, institutional, economic, and religious nature; they will be able to read critically historiographical works and use the main tools, including digital tools, for the research and analysis of sources. These skills will be acquired through a direct and continuous meeting with the instructor in the classroom. The discussion around the proposed sources will be an essential moment of critical reflection and methodological learning. Participation in meetings and seminars organized within the Department of Historical Studies will also be of great importance. 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
Single course

This course can be attended as a single course.

Course syllabus and organization

1st Semester A-L Edition

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: The Middle Ages on the side of nature
Part 1: Medieval History
Part 2: Medieval History: sources and methods
Part 3: The nature in the Middle Ages
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission.
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.
Teaching Resources
Attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1 and 2)
Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson ed.
Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
A. Barbero, Carlo Magno: un padre dell'Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza
D. Boquet, P. Nagy, Medioevo sensibile. Una storia delle emozioni, Roma, Carocci
A. Demurger, Crociate e crociati nel Medioevo, Milano, Garzanti
P. Grillo, Federico II. La guerra, le città, l'impero, Milano, Mondadori
J. Haldon, L'impero che non voleva morire, Torino, Einaudi
F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1100-1350), Roma, Viella,
R. Rao, I paesaggi dell'Italia medievale, Carocci ed.
- Programme for 9 cfu:
- Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1, 2, 3)
- Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson ed.
- Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
A. Barbero, Carlo Magno: un padre dell'Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza
D. Boquet, P. Nagy, Medioevo sensibile. Una storia delle emozioni, Roma, Carocci
A. Cortonesi, Il Medioevo degli alberi, Roma, Carocci
A. Demurger, Crociate e crociati nel Medioevo, Milano, Garzanti
P. Grillo, Federico II. La guerra, le città, l'impero, Milano, Mondadori
J. Haldon, L'impero che non voleva morire, Torino, Einaudi
F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1100-1350), Roma, Viella,
R. Rao, I paesaggi dell'Italia medievale, Carocci ed.
- And one of the following volumes
N. D'Acunto, La lotta per le investiture. Una rivoluzione medievale, Roma, Carocci
S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo (300-900), Roma, Carocci
A. Luongo, La peste nera. Contagio, crisi e nuovi equilibri nell'Itali del Trecento, Roma, Carocci
F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1100-1350), Roma, Viella
L.Tanzini, Cosimo de' Medici, Roma, Salerno Editrice
Non-attending students:
- Programme for 6 cfu:
Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson ed.
Knowledge of: P. Grillo, Le porte del mondo, Milano, Mondadori
And one of the following volumes:
A. Barbero, Carlo Magno: un padre dell'Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza
A. Demurger, Crociate e crociati nel Medioevo, Milano, Garzanti
P. Grillo, Federico II. La guerra, le città, l'impero, Milano, Mondadori
J. Haldon, L'impero che non voleva morire, Torino, Einaudi
A. Luongo, La peste nera. Contagio, crisi e nuovi equilibri nell'Itali del Trecento, Roma, Carocci
F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1100-1350), Roma, Viella
L.Tanzini, Cosimo de' Medici, Roma, Salerno Editrice
- Programme for 9 cfu:
- Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson ed.
Knowledge of: P. Grillo, Le porte del mondo, Milano, Mondadori
- One of the following volumes:
A. Barbero, Carlo Magno: un padre dell'Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza
A. Demurger, Crociate e crociati nel Medioevo, Milano, Garzanti
J. Haldon, L'impero che non voleva morire, Torino, Einaudi
P. Grillo, Federico II. La guerra, le città, l'impero, Milano, Mondadori
P. Grillo, Nascita di una cattedrale. Le origini del Duomo di Milano, Milano, Mondadori
A. Luongo, La peste nera. Contagio, crisi e nuovi equilibri nell'Itali del Trecento, Roma, Carocci
F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1100-1350), Roma, Viella
- And one of the following volumes:
D. Boquet, P. Nagy, Medioevo sensibile. Una storia delle emozioni, Roma, Carocci
A. Cortonesi, Il Medioevo degli alberi, Roma, Carocci
N. D'Acunto, La lotta per le investiture. Una rivoluzione medievale, Roma, Carocci
S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo (300-900), Roma, Carocci
R. Rao, I paesaggi dell'Italia medievale, Roma, Carocci
L.Tanzini, Cosimo de' Medici, Roma, Salerno Editrice

International or incoming Erasmus students are invited to promptly contact the professor in charge of the course to agree on the exam programme, eventually in English
Assessment methods and Criteria
- Method: oral exam
- Type of examination. Oral exam.
- 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
- NB: one elective mid-term evaluation will be organised on behalf of the attending students only. It will consist of a 45 minutes written test with both multiple choice and open questions, and it will be on lectures and textbook. The final evaluation will comprise by the average of the marks of mid-term evaluation and final exam.
- Method of communication of the assessment results of mid-term evaluation: Ariel site.

The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Unita didattica A
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: Grillo Paolo
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: Grillo Paolo
Unita' didattica C
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor: Moglia Maddalena

1st Semester M-Z Edition

Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Teaching content - Middle Ages: society, economy, politics and culture
I Part: From Late Antiquity to Middle Ages. Cristianity and Islam.
II Part: Carolingian states, seigneurial society, medieval monarchies. Italian Communes and political developments in the Late middle Ages
III Part: European expansion: wars, crusades, commercial expansion. Culture and medieval universities.
Prerequisites for admission
No specific requirements except those requested for the degree admission
Teaching methods
The lessons, together with the textbooks, are intended to transmit the knowledge, skills and language of the discipline. The discussion in the classroom with the teacher is an integral part of the teaching method and intends to promote in the student the critical spirit and the ability to apply the skills and knowledge acquired.
To support the lessons, slides, texts, images and other materials will be provided on the ARIEL platform.
Teaching Resources
For attendant students, mandatory texts are
P. Grillo, Storia medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson, Milano-Torino 2019
together with:
G. Sergi, L'idea di Medioevo: fra storia e senso comune, Roma, Donzelli (recent editions).
Other materials will be presented on Ariel Portal (slide, texts, images)

Non attendant students
Mandatory texts:
P. Grillo, Storia medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo, Pearson, Milano-Torino 2019
together with:
G. Sergi, L'idea di Medioevo: fra storia e senso comune, Roma, Donzelli (recent editions).
And also one text (for 6 CFU) and two texts (for 9 CFU) chosen in the list below .
International students or Erasmus incoming can agree on the exam programme, possibly in English, with the professor in charge of the course.

Texts list - non attendant students (1 for 6 CFU, 2 for 9 CFU)
D. Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale, Laterza, Bari 2006.
G. Albini, Poveri e povertà nel Medioevo, Carocci, Roma 2016.
C. Azzara - A.M. Rapetti, La chiesa nel medioevo, Il Mulino, Bologna 2009
A. Barbero, Dante, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2020
M. Bloch, I re taumaturghi, Einaudi, Torino (varie edizioni)
M.N. Covini, L'esercito del duca. Organizzazione militare e istituzioni al tempo degli Sforza (1450-1480), Istituto storico italiano per il Medioevo, Roma 1998 (possibile download da Academia.edu).
M.N. Covini, Potere ricchezza e distinzione a Milano nel Quattrocento. Nuove ricerche su Cicco Simonetta, Bruno Mondadori ed., Milano 2018.
S. Gasparri, Italia longobarda. Il regno, i Franchi, il papato, Roma -Bari 2012.
P. Grillo, Le guerre del Barbarossa. I comuni contro l'imperatore, Laterza, Roma-Bari 2018.
C.H. Haskins, La rinascita del XII secolo, il Mulino, Bologna 1998 (o edizione più recente dal titolo Il rinascimento del XII secolo).
M. Montanari, Alimentazione e cultura nel Medioevo, Laterza, Roma-Bari, 2008.
M. Mallett, Signori e mercenari. La guerra nell'Italia del Rinascimento, Il Mulino, Bologna (varie edizioni).
F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1100-1350), Viella, Roma 2011.
R. Rao, I paesaggi dell'Italia medievale, Carocci, Roma 2015.
L. Tanzini, Cosimo de' Medici. Il banchiere statista, padre del Rinascimento fiorentino, Salerno ed., Roma 2022
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists is an oral interrogation.
Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the topics studied; quality, linearity and clarity of the exposition, competence in the use of specific lexicon.
Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s.
Mid-term assessment will be reserved to attending students. The written exam may consist of open questions about the subjects of the lessons.
The assessment results will be published on Ariel site.
The exam is oral, but, only in case of crowded sessions, a written test of 20 minutes can be requested (concerning principal events of Middle Ages, chronologies, definitions).
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor. Any problems or personal difficulties can be reported to the teacher, before the exam, in a private interview.
Unita didattica A
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours

2nd Semester A-Z Edition

Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: Medieval worlds
Part 1: The transformation of the Late-Antiquity
Part 2: New European and Mediterranean order
Part 3: Growth, crisis, change
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission.
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 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.
Teaching Resources
ATTENDING STUDENTS
Program for 6 cfu
-Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures (modules 1 and 2)
-Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo [Pearson]
-Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
- S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo [Carocci]
- C. Azzara, A. Rapetti, La Chiesa nel Medioevo, Il Mulino [Il Mulino]
- D. Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale [Einaudi]
- C. Picard, Il mare dei califfi. Storia del Mediterraneo musulmano (secoli VII-XII) [Carocci]
- F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1110-1350) [Viella]
- M. Mallett, Signori e mercenari. La guerra nell'Italia del Rinascimento [Il Mulino]
- A. Barbero, Il ducato di Savoia. Amministrazione e corte di uno stato franco-italiano [Laterza]


Program for 9 cfu
-Knowledge of the topics taught in lectures.
-Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo [Pearson]
-Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
- S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo [Carocci]
- C. Azzara, A. Rapetti, La Chiesa nel Medioevo, Il Mulino [Il Mulino]
- D. Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale [Einaudi]
- C. Picard, Il mare dei califfi. Storia del Mediterraneo musulmano (secoli VII-XII) [Carocci]
- F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1110-1350) [Viella]
- M. Mallett, Signori e mercenari. La guerra nell'Italia del Rinascimento [Il Mulino]
- A. Barbero, Il ducato di Savoia. Amministrazione e corte di uno stato franco-italiano [Laterza]


-And the knowledge of one of the following volumes:
- P. Brown, Il mondo tardo antico. Da Marco Aurelio a Maometto [Einaudi]
- G. Ravegnani, L'età di Giustiniano [Carocci]
- H. Keller, Gli Ottoni [Carocci]
- A.A. Settia, Castelli medievali [il Mulino]
- E. Orlando, Venezia e il mare nel Medioevo [il Mulino]
- L. Provero, Dalla guerra alla pace. L'Arazzo di Bayeux e la conquista normanna dell'Inghilterra (secolo XI) [Firenze university Press]
- L. Tanzini, 1345. La bancarotta di Firenze Una storia di banchieri, fallimenti e finanza [Salerno editore]
- I. Lazzarini, L'Italia degli Stati territoriali [Laterza]

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS
Program for 6 cfu
-Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo [Pearson]
-Knowledge of the volume: V. Fumagalli, Quando il cielo s'oscura. Modi di vita nel Medioevo [il Mulino]
-Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
- S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo [Carocci]
- C. Azzara, A. Rapetti, La Chiesa nel Medioevo, Il Mulino [Il Mulino]
- D. Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale [Einaudi]
- C. Picard, Il mare dei califfi. Storia del Mediterraneo musulmano (secoli VII-XII) [Carocci]
- F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1110-1350) [Viella]
- M. Mallett, Signori e mercenari. La guerra nell'Italia del Rinascimento [Il Mulino]
- A. Barbero, Il ducato di Savoia. Amministrazione e corte di uno stato franco-italiano [Laterza]


Program for 9 cfu
-Textbook: P. Grillo, Storia Medievale. Italia, Europa, Mediterraneo [Pearson]
-Knowledge of the volume: V. Fumagalli, Quando il cielo s'oscura. Modi di vita nel Medioevo [il Mulino]
-Knowledge of one of the following volumes:
- S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo [Carocci]
- C. Azzara, A. Rapetti, La Chiesa nel Medioevo, Il Mulino [Il Mulino]
- D. Abulafia, Federico II. Un imperatore medievale [Einaudi]
- C. Picard, Il mare dei califfi. Storia del Mediterraneo musulmano (secoli VII-XII) [Carocci]
- F. Menant, L'Italia dei comuni (1110-1350) [Viella]
- M. Mallett, Signori e mercenari. La guerra nell'Italia del Rinascimento [Il Mulino]
- A. Barbero, Il ducato di Savoia. Amministrazione e corte di uno stato franco-italiano [Laterza]

-And the knowledge of two of the following volumes:
- P. Brown, Il mondo tardo antico. Da Marco Aurelio a Maometto [Einaudi]
- G. Ravegnani, L'età di Giustiniano [Carocci]
- H. Keller, Gli Ottoni [Carocci]
- A.A. Settia, Castelli medievali [il Mulino]
- E. Orlando, Venezia e il mare nel Medioevo [il Mulino]
- L. Provero, Dalla guerra alla pace. L'Arazzo di Bayeux e la conquista normanna dell'Inghilterra (secolo XI) [Firenze university Press]
- L. Tanzini, 1345. La bancarotta di Firenze Una storia di banchieri, fallimenti e finanza [Salerno editore]
- I. Lazzarini, L'Italia degli Stati territoriali [Laterza]

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 exam.
-Evaluation criteria: capacity to demonstrate and elaborate knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the completed work; quality of exposition, competence in the use of specialized lexicon, efficacy, clarity.
-Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s.
-An optional written test (at the end of the course) is scheduled. It is reserved for attending students only. It will consist of a 90-minute written examination with multiple-choice and two open-ended questions. The test will focus on the topics discussed during the course and the manual. The final evaluation will be the result of the average of the midterm and final examination marks.
The format of the exam for students with disabilities should be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Unita didattica A
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
see italian version - Please send a mail message in advance
Settore B - Aula B 23 or Platform Microsoft Teams - team Ricevimento Covini code ekuhtqk
Reception:
Monday 09:00 - 10:30 (please send an email in advance)
Settore B - Aula B 23