Medieval Latin Philology
A.Y. 2023/2024
Learning objectives
The course offers an overview of the methods of analysis and research on the Latin literary works of the Middle Ages, mainly with a philological approach. This objective is pursued mainly through the discussion of case-studies.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge of the literary genres of medieval Latin literature. Linguistic and stylistic knowledge on the literary production of the Latin Middle Ages, on a wide chronological spectrum. Knowledge of methods and problems of textual criticism when applied to texts of medieval Latinity.
Ability in analyzing and interpreting literary texts written in Latin during the Middle Ages. Ability in linking literary works of the Middle Ages to their historical contexts. Mastery of basic bibliography in the field of medieval Latinity. Ability in using the technical lexicon of textual criticism, even in advanced analysis contexts.
Ability in analyzing and interpreting literary texts written in Latin during the Middle Ages. Ability in linking literary works of the Middle Ages to their historical contexts. Mastery of basic bibliography in the field of medieval Latinity. Ability in using the technical lexicon of textual criticism, even in advanced analysis contexts.
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
Subjects of the course are as follows:
1) institutional part, including some case studies on the methods of critical research in the field of medieval Latin literature (history and structure of medieval libraries, identification of sources, techniques of reuse, attribution criticism, translation into modern languages, relationship between text and image). To this topic 20 hours of frontal lessons will be dedicated.
2) monographic part, that present a text of the Latin Middle Ages, under philologic and literary aspects. The text is the "Relatio de legatione Constantinopolitana" by Liutprand of Cremona. To this topic 20 hours of frontal lessons and 20 hours of seminar lessons will be dedicated. In the seminar lessons, students are supposed to actively participate.
Students who take the exam for 6 ECTS must attend the institutional part and the first 20 hours of lessons (frontal) of the monographic part. Students taking the exam for 9 ECTS must also attend the seminar portion of the course.
1) institutional part, including some case studies on the methods of critical research in the field of medieval Latin literature (history and structure of medieval libraries, identification of sources, techniques of reuse, attribution criticism, translation into modern languages, relationship between text and image). To this topic 20 hours of frontal lessons will be dedicated.
2) monographic part, that present a text of the Latin Middle Ages, under philologic and literary aspects. The text is the "Relatio de legatione Constantinopolitana" by Liutprand of Cremona. To this topic 20 hours of frontal lessons and 20 hours of seminar lessons will be dedicated. In the seminar lessons, students are supposed to actively participate.
Students who take the exam for 6 ECTS must attend the institutional part and the first 20 hours of lessons (frontal) of the monographic part. Students taking the exam for 9 ECTS must also attend the seminar portion of the course.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of philological language and techniques. Good knowledge of Latin language. Basic knowledge of medieval history. Basic knowledge of Latin literature of the Middle Ages or basic knowledge of the transmission of Latin texts during the Middle Ages.
Teaching methods
First 40 hours: lecturing, supported by projection of images related to main topics. Classroom discussion, as a method for acquiring technical language. The images presented in the lectures will be made available free of charge on the ARIEL website.
Seminar section (last 20 hours): students will be asked to do a seminar exercise consisting in the deepening and presentation of one topic bounded with the monographical part of the course.
Seminar section (last 20 hours): students will be asked to do a seminar exercise consisting in the deepening and presentation of one topic bounded with the monographical part of the course.
Teaching Resources
A) For the institutional part:
1) P. Chiesa, "Venticinque lezioni di filologia mediolatina", Firenze, SISMEL - Edizioni del Galluzzo 2016. The book is available in paper or as e-book (https://www.sismel.it/pubblicazioni/1507-venticinque-lezioni-di-filologia-mediolatina). The book is also available in an English version (only as e-book): "Medieval Latin Philology. An Overview through Case-Studies" (https://www.sismel.it/publications/1652-medieval-latin-philology-an-overview-through-case-studies).
2) G. Orlandi, "Scritti di filologia mediolatina", Firenze, SISMEL, 2008, choosing two of the following essays: "Perché non possiamo non dirci lachmanniani" (pp. 95-130); "Lo scriba medievale e l'emendatio" (pp. 209-232); "Un dilemma editoriale: ortografia e morfologia nelle Historiae di Gregorio di Tours" (pp. 251-282); "Le statistiche sulle clausole della prosa. Problemi e proposte" (pp. 451-482).
B) For the monographic part (lecturing):
Liutprand of Cremona, "Relatio de legatione Constantinopolitana".
Students will be expected to know the whole work (in Latin). The reference edition is: Liudprandi Cremonensis "Opera omnia", ed. P. Chiesa, Brepols, Turnhout, 1998 (the text of "Legatio" is at pp. 187-218). The Latin text will also free available in an electronic version at the beginning of the course.
2) Liutprando di Cremona, "De Iohanne papa et Ottone imperatore. Crimini, deposizione e morte di un pontefice maledetto", ed. by P. Chiesa, Firenze, Edizioni del Galluzzo, 2018. The work must be read in Italian translation; students will be expected to know the introduction of the book and to have the ability to discuss the main points of literary interest using the commentary at the text.
C) For monographic part (seminar lectures) the material will be made available on the Ariel site of the course.
Students who take the exam for 6 ECTS will have to bring as examination program what is indicated in letters A and B. Student who take the exam for 9 ECTS will have to bring, in addition to what is indicated in letters A and B, the personal work carried out in the seminar.
The bibliography above is requested for examination of attending students. Non-attending students should contact the teacher for an alternative exam programme.
1) P. Chiesa, "Venticinque lezioni di filologia mediolatina", Firenze, SISMEL - Edizioni del Galluzzo 2016. The book is available in paper or as e-book (https://www.sismel.it/pubblicazioni/1507-venticinque-lezioni-di-filologia-mediolatina). The book is also available in an English version (only as e-book): "Medieval Latin Philology. An Overview through Case-Studies" (https://www.sismel.it/publications/1652-medieval-latin-philology-an-overview-through-case-studies).
2) G. Orlandi, "Scritti di filologia mediolatina", Firenze, SISMEL, 2008, choosing two of the following essays: "Perché non possiamo non dirci lachmanniani" (pp. 95-130); "Lo scriba medievale e l'emendatio" (pp. 209-232); "Un dilemma editoriale: ortografia e morfologia nelle Historiae di Gregorio di Tours" (pp. 251-282); "Le statistiche sulle clausole della prosa. Problemi e proposte" (pp. 451-482).
B) For the monographic part (lecturing):
Liutprand of Cremona, "Relatio de legatione Constantinopolitana".
Students will be expected to know the whole work (in Latin). The reference edition is: Liudprandi Cremonensis "Opera omnia", ed. P. Chiesa, Brepols, Turnhout, 1998 (the text of "Legatio" is at pp. 187-218). The Latin text will also free available in an electronic version at the beginning of the course.
2) Liutprando di Cremona, "De Iohanne papa et Ottone imperatore. Crimini, deposizione e morte di un pontefice maledetto", ed. by P. Chiesa, Firenze, Edizioni del Galluzzo, 2018. The work must be read in Italian translation; students will be expected to know the introduction of the book and to have the ability to discuss the main points of literary interest using the commentary at the text.
C) For monographic part (seminar lectures) the material will be made available on the Ariel site of the course.
Students who take the exam for 6 ECTS will have to bring as examination program what is indicated in letters A and B. Student who take the exam for 9 ECTS will have to bring, in addition to what is indicated in letters A and B, the personal work carried out in the seminar.
The bibliography above is requested for examination of attending students. Non-attending students should contact the teacher for an alternative exam programme.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Single oral examination, in a single test, with a mark out of thirty (minimum passing grade 18); the mark is communicated at the end of the exam.
1) Evaluated knowledge: Knowledge of methods and problems of textual criticism when applied to texts of medieval Latinity. Knowledge of the literary genres of medieval Latin literature. Linguistic and stylistic knowledge on the literary production of the Latin Middle Ages. 2) Evaluated abilities: Ability in analysing and interpreting literary texts written in Latin during the Middle Ages. Ability in connecting literary works of the Middle Ages to their historical contexts. Mastery of basic bibliography in the field of medieval Latinity. Ability in using the technical lexicon of textual criticism, even in advanced analysis contexts. 3) Knowledge of the text discussed in the monographic part (Liutprand of Cremona, "Relatio de legatione Constantinopolitana"), also from a linguistic point of view (during the exam students will be asked to translate from Latin a passage of the work).
Assessment criteria: 1) level of knowledge; 2) language property in the specific matter; 3) effectiveness of exposure; 4) ability in linking topics; 5) critical perspective.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher early. The assessment procedures for students with disabilities and / or with SLD must be discussed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
1) Evaluated knowledge: Knowledge of methods and problems of textual criticism when applied to texts of medieval Latinity. Knowledge of the literary genres of medieval Latin literature. Linguistic and stylistic knowledge on the literary production of the Latin Middle Ages. 2) Evaluated abilities: Ability in analysing and interpreting literary texts written in Latin during the Middle Ages. Ability in connecting literary works of the Middle Ages to their historical contexts. Mastery of basic bibliography in the field of medieval Latinity. Ability in using the technical lexicon of textual criticism, even in advanced analysis contexts. 3) Knowledge of the text discussed in the monographic part (Liutprand of Cremona, "Relatio de legatione Constantinopolitana"), also from a linguistic point of view (during the exam students will be asked to translate from Latin a passage of the work).
Assessment criteria: 1) level of knowledge; 2) language property in the specific matter; 3) effectiveness of exposure; 4) ability in linking topics; 5) critical perspective.
International or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher early. The assessment procedures for students with disabilities and / or with SLD must be discussed with the teacher, in agreement with the competent Office.
L-FIL-LET/08 - MEDIEVAL AND HUMANISTIC LATIN LITERATURE - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professor:
Chiesa Paolo
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)