Italian Medieval History

The course aims to explain, along general lines, the history of Italy from the fifth to the fifteenth centuries and provide the tools necessary to understand its main chronological and institutional contexts, presenting their political, economic, social and religious aspects and discussing the roles that scholarship has assigned to the different "medieval Italies" in the construction of Italian history.

By the end of the course the student will have acquired critical the knowledge and skills to understand the main thematic and chronological connections regarding the history of the Italian Middle Ages. They will also be able to place the most representative events and figures in their chronological and geographical contexts. The student will be able to use linguistic tools (language properties, correct and specific lexicon) appropriately to express, in a clear and effective manner, concepts of a political, institutional, economic, 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.