Words, Rituals, and Images: Cultures and Media in the Middle Ages
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to provide an overview of the political cultures elaborated in the Middle Ages on a European scale (and thus in contexts very different in terms of forms of government and social arrangements), paying particular attention to the different media used to express them (words, rituals, and images). Finally, the course aims to develop in students the critical tools needed to understand the performative potential inherent in different communicative codes, in relation to the different contexts of use analyzed.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, students will be able to critically analyze the sources and scholarly essays inherent to the topic and historical period under consideration, elaborating autonomous reflections around the major junctures in the history of medieval political thought. They will also be able to evaluate the peculiarities of the different communicative codes employed by the political societies of the period, identifying in each case their original and longer-lasting features. Finally, they will acquire the ability to confront each other in public and to lead a discussion by consciously using specialized vocabulary.
These skills will be acquired through continuous discussion with the lecturer in the classroom: in particular, through critical reflection on texts proposed for individual study and participation in debates activities. The latter, planned in particular in the third part of the course, will take the form of structured discussions among groups of students, whose object will be the analysis and comparison of the political cultures expressed by the different actors in medieval political life (princes, rulers, local bodies, communities, etc.).
Non-attending students will be able to make use of the teaching tools (written sources, images, etc.) made available by the lecturer on Ariel, delve into the main topics through special readings agreed with the lecturer, and engage in discussions with the lecturer via e-mail and/or during office hours.
These skills will be acquired through continuous discussion with the lecturer in the classroom: in particular, through critical reflection on texts proposed for individual study and participation in debates activities. The latter, planned in particular in the third part of the course, will take the form of structured discussions among groups of students, whose object will be the analysis and comparison of the political cultures expressed by the different actors in medieval political life (princes, rulers, local bodies, communities, etc.).
Non-attending students will be able to make use of the teaching tools (written sources, images, etc.) made available by the lecturer on Ariel, delve into the main topics through special readings agreed with the lecturer, and engage in discussions with the lecturer via e-mail and/or during office hours.
Lesson period: First semester
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
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Module 1: Introduction to the culture and types of media of communication in the Middle Ages (oral and written culture, symbolic communication, use of rituals and gestures, images and objects).
Module 2: Thematic insights on medieval political communication based on the reading of primary sources and secondary literature (the ritual of coronation and other tools of political propaganda, the use of letters and gifts in medieval diplomacy, the use of mages, the role of gender in medieval communication)
Module 3: Case-study analyses by the students, whose results will be presented and discussed in class
Module 2: Thematic insights on medieval political communication based on the reading of primary sources and secondary literature (the ritual of coronation and other tools of political propaganda, the use of letters and gifts in medieval diplomacy, the use of mages, the role of gender in medieval communication)
Module 3: Case-study analyses by the students, whose results will be presented and discussed in class
Prerequisites for admission
There are no specific prerequisites different from those required for admission to the master's degree program.
Teaching methods
Lectures are conducted online, through the Microsoft Teams platform and its applications and modules. The link or code to join the Team of the course will be published on the Notice Board of the MyAriel website of the course. Regular attendance is strongly recommended, although not mandatory. Attending students have right to a reduced programme for the final exam if they prepare individual presentations during the class.
Teaching consists, for the first module of face-to-face lectures aimed at acquiring the knowledge, skills and language proper to the discipline. This will be tailored to the needs and interests of the class, so interaction with the lecturer in class is crucial.
Starting with the second module, and in an ever-growing way, the students will take on an active role. The second module will feature the use of the think-pair-share methods, where students will be able to work in pairs or small groups to discuss their interpretation of medieval sources and/or secondary literature. On occasions, preparatory readings may be assigned (at least one week in advance). Students will present their opinions and reflection in class debates and discussion. This represents an integral part of the teaching method and aims at fostering in the student a critical spirit and the ability to apply the acquired skills and knowledge. In the third module, students will prepare individual presentations on specific medieval instances of communication (for example, a medieval letter, but also a painting or a ritual) chosen based on personal interest. The results will be presented orally and discussed in class.
Multimedia teaching materials used in class will be made available on the myAriel website of the course.
Teaching consists, for the first module of face-to-face lectures aimed at acquiring the knowledge, skills and language proper to the discipline. This will be tailored to the needs and interests of the class, so interaction with the lecturer in class is crucial.
Starting with the second module, and in an ever-growing way, the students will take on an active role. The second module will feature the use of the think-pair-share methods, where students will be able to work in pairs or small groups to discuss their interpretation of medieval sources and/or secondary literature. On occasions, preparatory readings may be assigned (at least one week in advance). Students will present their opinions and reflection in class debates and discussion. This represents an integral part of the teaching method and aims at fostering in the student a critical spirit and the ability to apply the acquired skills and knowledge. In the third module, students will prepare individual presentations on specific medieval instances of communication (for example, a medieval letter, but also a painting or a ritual) chosen based on personal interest. The results will be presented orally and discussed in class.
Multimedia teaching materials used in class will be made available on the myAriel website of the course.
Teaching Resources
For attending students (reduced programme):
-5 (6 cfu) or 8 (9 cfu) articles from the reading list available on MyAriel
-Political Order and Forms of Communication in Medieval and Early Modern Europe, Viella 2014
For attending students (full programme)
-themes treated in class
-5 (6 cfu) or 8 (9 cfu) articles from the reading list available on MyAriel
-Political Order and Forms of Communication in Medieval and Early Modern Europe, Viella 2014
For non attending students:
-Political Order and Forms of Communication in Medieval and Early Modern Europe, Viella 2014
For 6 cfu, one book among the following:
For 9 cfu, both the following books:
-P. Boucheron, The Power of Images: Siena 1338, New York 2018
-J. Aurell, Medieval Self-Coronations. The History and Symbolism of a Ritual, Cambridge 2020
-P. Boucheron, The Power of Images: Siena 1338, New York 2018
-5 (6 cfu) or 8 (9 cfu) articles from the reading list available on MyAriel
-Political Order and Forms of Communication in Medieval and Early Modern Europe, Viella 2014
For attending students (full programme)
-themes treated in class
-5 (6 cfu) or 8 (9 cfu) articles from the reading list available on MyAriel
-Political Order and Forms of Communication in Medieval and Early Modern Europe, Viella 2014
For non attending students:
-Political Order and Forms of Communication in Medieval and Early Modern Europe, Viella 2014
For 6 cfu, one book among the following:
For 9 cfu, both the following books:
-P. Boucheron, The Power of Images: Siena 1338, New York 2018
-J. Aurell, Medieval Self-Coronations. The History and Symbolism of a Ritual, Cambridge 2020
-P. Boucheron, The Power of Images: Siena 1338, New York 2018
Assessment methods and Criteria
For attending students, learning assessment may take place in one of the following two modalities, at the student's choice:
1. Evaluation of the individual presentation + final oral exam
or
2. Final oral exam only
During the course, attending students will have the opportunity to choose a topic for an individual in-depth study involving the analysis of a medieval source interpreted as a communicative act, applying the concepts learned up to that point in the course. The results of the analysis will be presented and discussed in class (participation in the discussion will also be assessed). The instructor will assign a grade (which will be communicated privately to the individual students and not shared with the whole class) for the presentation and discussion contribution; students may choose whether to accept or reject this grade. If accepted, the grade will contribute to the final evaluation, combined with the oral exam grade, which will be based on a reduced programme.
Non-attending students, as well as those who choose not to prepare an individual presentation or who reject the grade assigned to it, will be assessed solely on the basis of a comprehensive oral exam (full programme) at the end of the course.
The same evaluation criteria apply to both classroom presentations/discussions and the oral examination: ability to demonstrate and elaborate on the knowledge acquired; ability to critically reflect on the texts and the themes discussed in class; quality of oral expression, appropriate use of disciplinary terminology; clarity and effectiveness in communication
Grading scale: Final grade out of 30.
Exam arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (DSA) must be agreed upon with the instructor, in consultation with the appropriate university office.
1. Evaluation of the individual presentation + final oral exam
or
2. Final oral exam only
During the course, attending students will have the opportunity to choose a topic for an individual in-depth study involving the analysis of a medieval source interpreted as a communicative act, applying the concepts learned up to that point in the course. The results of the analysis will be presented and discussed in class (participation in the discussion will also be assessed). The instructor will assign a grade (which will be communicated privately to the individual students and not shared with the whole class) for the presentation and discussion contribution; students may choose whether to accept or reject this grade. If accepted, the grade will contribute to the final evaluation, combined with the oral exam grade, which will be based on a reduced programme.
Non-attending students, as well as those who choose not to prepare an individual presentation or who reject the grade assigned to it, will be assessed solely on the basis of a comprehensive oral exam (full programme) at the end of the course.
The same evaluation criteria apply to both classroom presentations/discussions and the oral examination: ability to demonstrate and elaborate on the knowledge acquired; ability to critically reflect on the texts and the themes discussed in class; quality of oral expression, appropriate use of disciplinary terminology; clarity and effectiveness in communication
Grading scale: Final grade out of 30.
Exam arrangements for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (DSA) must be agreed upon with the instructor, in consultation with the appropriate university office.
Part A and B
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 6
Online courses: 40 hours
Part C
M-STO/01 - MEDIEVAL HISTORY - University credits: 3
Online courses: 20 hours
Professor(s)