Medieval History
A.Y. 2025/2026
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
Knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- Summerize the basic methodological tools, including IT ones, of the historiographical investigation.
- Identify the relationships between philosophy and historical knowledge in the analysis and discussion of texts and problems
- express the concepts learned in a clear and effective way.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- use appropriately the sources, the basic bibliographic and IT tools for historiographic research.
Making judgements
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
- interpret the verification of the authenticity of the information found
Learning skills
At the end of the course the student will be able:
- to use the sources and the basic bibliographic and IT tools for historiographic research in an autonomous and appropriate way
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- Summerize the basic methodological tools, including IT ones, of the historiographical investigation.
- Identify the relationships between philosophy and historical knowledge in the analysis and discussion of texts and problems
- express the concepts learned in a clear and effective way.
Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
At the end of the course, the student will be able to:
- use appropriately the sources, the basic bibliographic and IT tools for historiographic research.
Making judgements
At the end of the course the student will be able to:
- interpret the verification of the authenticity of the information found
Learning skills
At the end of the course the student will be able:
- to use the sources and the basic bibliographic and IT tools for historiographic research in an autonomous and appropriate way
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
List of lectures with provisional topics (the schedule may be subject to change: please always refer to the up-to-date materials on MyAriel)
1) introduction to the course and the medieval period
2) the late antique world
3) the fall of the western roman empire
4) the romano-barbarian kingdoms I: Goths and Vandals
5) the romano-barbarian kingdoms II: Anglo-saxons and Franks
6) the romano-barbarian kingdoms III: Lombards (with an excursus on Byzantium)
7) Islam and the iconoclastic controversy
8) the long eighth century
9) the carolingians
10) Charlemagne and his successors
11) the tenth century
12) transformations of the landscape
13) review session (with Wooclap)
14) the Ottonians
15) Europe on the eve of the year 1000
16) the first phase of the religious transformations of the eleventh-century
17) lay piety and new religious movements
18) framing violence religiously
19) towns, citys and communes
20) European monarchies between the 11th and 13th centuries: introduction & the spanish case
21) European monarchies between the 11th and 13th centuries: France and England
22) The empire and the papacy
23) culture and education
24) Late-medieval piety
25) the late-medieval Mediterranean
26) state-building processes I: France, England, and the Hundred years' War
27) state-building processes ii: Spain, the Empire, and other kingdoms
28) The crisis of the late middle ages
29) Late-medieval italy
30) Review session (with Wooclap)
1) introduction to the course and the medieval period
2) the late antique world
3) the fall of the western roman empire
4) the romano-barbarian kingdoms I: Goths and Vandals
5) the romano-barbarian kingdoms II: Anglo-saxons and Franks
6) the romano-barbarian kingdoms III: Lombards (with an excursus on Byzantium)
7) Islam and the iconoclastic controversy
8) the long eighth century
9) the carolingians
10) Charlemagne and his successors
11) the tenth century
12) transformations of the landscape
13) review session (with Wooclap)
14) the Ottonians
15) Europe on the eve of the year 1000
16) the first phase of the religious transformations of the eleventh-century
17) lay piety and new religious movements
18) framing violence religiously
19) towns, citys and communes
20) European monarchies between the 11th and 13th centuries: introduction & the spanish case
21) European monarchies between the 11th and 13th centuries: France and England
22) The empire and the papacy
23) culture and education
24) Late-medieval piety
25) the late-medieval Mediterranean
26) state-building processes I: France, England, and the Hundred years' War
27) state-building processes ii: Spain, the Empire, and other kingdoms
28) The crisis of the late middle ages
29) Late-medieval italy
30) Review session (with Wooclap)
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the admission to the BA degree in Philosophy
Teaching methods
Attendance to lectures is strongly recommended although not compulsory. The teaching is delivered through ex cathedra lectures aimed primarily at the acquisition of knowledge, competence and specific language of the subject. Interaction with the professor 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 didactic and multimedia materials used in class will be made availble on MyAriel.
The didactic and multimedia materials used in class will be made availble on MyAriel.
Teaching Resources
International and Erasmus students are invited to get in touch with the professor as soon as possible (and well in advance before the exams) in order to arrange a reading plan in English for exam preparation.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Method: oral exam
- Type of examination: oral interview
- Evaluation criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate on acquired knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the subject matter, quality of exposition; competence in the use of specialized terminology,; communicative clarity and effectiveness.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s
The format of the exam for students with disabilities has to be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
- Type of examination: oral interview
- Evaluation criteria: ability to demonstrate and elaborate on acquired knowledge; capacity for critical reflection on the subject matter, quality of exposition; competence in the use of specialized terminology,; communicative clarity and effectiveness.
- Type of evaluation method: mark in 30s
The format of the exam for students with disabilities has to be arranged in advance with the professor, as well as the relevant office.
Modules or teaching units
Parte A e B
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Parte C
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)