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
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.
Lesson period: Activity scheduled over several sessions (see Course syllabus and organization section for more detailed information).
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
1st Semester A-L Edition
Responsible
Lesson period
First 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
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.
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.
-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.
Part A and B
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
1st Semester M-Z Edition
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Part A and B
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
2nd Semester A-L Edition
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Part A and B
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
2nd Semester M-Z Edition
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title of the course: The Middle Ages
Part A: The Early Middle Ages
Part B: The High Middle Ages
Part C: The Late Middle Ages
Part A: The Early Middle Ages
Part B: The High Middle Ages
Part C: The Late Middle Ages
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific requirements different from those requested for the degree admission.
Teaching methods
Attendance at classes is strongly recommended, although not compulsory. The course consists of lessons aimed primarily at acquiring the knowledge, skills and language of the discipline. This is complemented by a space dedicated to memes, produced by the students, to test the level of understanding of the subject within the class. Finally, the course uses teaching materials (audiopowerpoints, maps, videos, timelapses) uploaded onto the ARIEL platform.
Teaching Resources
EXAMINATION PROGRAMME FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS (6 CFU)
Teaching units A + B
- The textbook: A. Zorzi, Handbook of Medieval History, 2 EDITION 2021
- lecture notes
EXAMINATION PROGRAMME FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS (6 CFU)
Didactic Units A + B
- The textbook: A. Zorzi, Handbook of Medieval History, 2 EDITION 2021
and one of the two following books:
- G. Sergi, L'idea di medioevo. Fra storia e senso comune, Turin: Donzelli, 2005 (also in digital edition)
- La storia medievale senza luoghi comuni. Aggiornamenti sul Medioevo, edds. A. Brusa, G. Sergi, Palermo-Florence: Palumbo 2024.
If you have doubts about terminology and historical and geographical data, we strongly recommend consulting the following dictionaries:
Encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages, Le Garzantine, Milan: Garzanti, 2007
A. Barbero, C. Frugoni, Dizionario del Medioevo, Roma-Bari: Laterza 1994.
EXAMINATION PROGRAMME FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS (9 CFU)
Teaching units A + B + C
- The textbook: A. Zorzi, Manuale di storia medievale, 2 EDIZIONE 2021
- La storia medievale senza luoghi comuni. Aggiornamenti sul Medioevo, edds. A. Brusa, G. Sergi, Palermo-Florence: Palumbo 2024
- lecture notes
EXAMINATION PROGRAMME FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS (9 CFU)
Teaching units A + B + C
- The textbook: A. Zorzi, Manuale di storia medievale, 2 EDIZIONE 2021
- G. Sergi, L'idea di medioevo. Fra storia e senso comune, Turin: Donzelli, 2005 (also in digital edition)
- La storia medievale senza luoghi comuni. Aggiornamenti sul Medioevo, edds. A. Brusa, G. Sergi, Palermo-Florence: Palumbo 2024.
If one has doubts about terminology and historical and geographical data, the following dictionaries are highly recommended:
Encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages, Le Garzantine, Milan: Garzanti, 2007
A. Barbero, C. Frugoni, Dizionario del Medioevo, Roma-Bari: Laterza 1994.
Teaching units A + B
- The textbook: A. Zorzi, Handbook of Medieval History, 2 EDITION 2021
- lecture notes
EXAMINATION PROGRAMME FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS (6 CFU)
Didactic Units A + B
- The textbook: A. Zorzi, Handbook of Medieval History, 2 EDITION 2021
and one of the two following books:
- G. Sergi, L'idea di medioevo. Fra storia e senso comune, Turin: Donzelli, 2005 (also in digital edition)
- La storia medievale senza luoghi comuni. Aggiornamenti sul Medioevo, edds. A. Brusa, G. Sergi, Palermo-Florence: Palumbo 2024.
If you have doubts about terminology and historical and geographical data, we strongly recommend consulting the following dictionaries:
Encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages, Le Garzantine, Milan: Garzanti, 2007
A. Barbero, C. Frugoni, Dizionario del Medioevo, Roma-Bari: Laterza 1994.
EXAMINATION PROGRAMME FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS (9 CFU)
Teaching units A + B + C
- The textbook: A. Zorzi, Manuale di storia medievale, 2 EDIZIONE 2021
- La storia medievale senza luoghi comuni. Aggiornamenti sul Medioevo, edds. A. Brusa, G. Sergi, Palermo-Florence: Palumbo 2024
- lecture notes
EXAMINATION PROGRAMME FOR NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS (9 CFU)
Teaching units A + B + C
- The textbook: A. Zorzi, Manuale di storia medievale, 2 EDIZIONE 2021
- G. Sergi, L'idea di medioevo. Fra storia e senso comune, Turin: Donzelli, 2005 (also in digital edition)
- La storia medievale senza luoghi comuni. Aggiornamenti sul Medioevo, edds. A. Brusa, G. Sergi, Palermo-Florence: Palumbo 2024.
If one has doubts about terminology and historical and geographical data, the following dictionaries are highly recommended:
Encyclopaedia of the Middle Ages, Le Garzantine, Milan: Garzanti, 2007
A. Barbero, C. Frugoni, Dizionario del Medioevo, Roma-Bari: Laterza 1994.
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.
Part A and B
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part 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
Entrance E, 3° floor, room 3007 (B23) or Platform Microsoft Teams - team Ricevimento Covini code ekuhtqk
Reception:
by appointment to be fixed via email
Department Chair's Office, History Courtyard, 1st Floor
Reception:
Monday 09:00 - 10:30 (please send an email in advance)
Entrance E, 3° floor, room 3007 (B23)