Medieval Latin Literature Ma
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with: 1) an advanced approach to Middle Latin literature, with particular attention to the methodological aspects of the analysis and historical-literary framework of the texts, through the examination of a specific literary genre or a single author or work; 2) a basic preparation on the specificities of Latin in use in the Middle Ages; 3) an introduction to the use of basic bibliographical tools for the study of Middle Latin literature.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge - At the end of the course the student will have acquired an awareness of the characteristics of Latin texts of the Middle Ages, in their linguistic and formal specificity, and will master the fundamental bibliographical tools to deal autonomously with their identification and critical study. They will know the main methods of philological-literary investigation applicable to medieval Latin texts; the main characteristics assumed by the Latin language in the Middle Ages; the criteria for the bibliographical identification of texts, in the specific problematic of the history of studies on Middle Latin sources.
Skills - At the end of the course the student will be able to analyse and critically interpret Middle Latin literary texts both from a linguistic point of view, with awareness of the variables determined by the chronological and geographical context, and in the various aspects connected with their genesis and transmission, their purposes, and their relationship with the previous tradition.
Skills - At the end of the course the student will be able to analyse and critically interpret Middle Latin literary texts both from a linguistic point of view, with awareness of the variables determined by the chronological and geographical context, and in the various aspects connected with their genesis and transmission, their purposes, and their relationship with the previous tradition.
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
The course is divided into two parts, which run in parallel.
Part A (which will account for approximately two-thirds of the lessons) will focus on the Correspondence of Abelard and Heloise, examined within the context of the 12th-century 'Renaissance' and its emphasis on the individual, the experience of love, and engagement with classical sources. Excerpts from the first five letters will be read partly in Latin and partly in translation.
Part B will be devoted to the research tools specific to the discipline (databases, online archives, repertories), with a presentation by the teacher and group practical exercises in the classroom. The final part of the course will be devoted to students' presentations of their individual assignments: the drafting of a Wikipedia entry on an author or work from the Latin Middle Ages, prepared by applying what they have learnt about the discipline's specific bibliographic tools and uploaded to the web.
Part A (which will account for approximately two-thirds of the lessons) will focus on the Correspondence of Abelard and Heloise, examined within the context of the 12th-century 'Renaissance' and its emphasis on the individual, the experience of love, and engagement with classical sources. Excerpts from the first five letters will be read partly in Latin and partly in translation.
Part B will be devoted to the research tools specific to the discipline (databases, online archives, repertories), with a presentation by the teacher and group practical exercises in the classroom. The final part of the course will be devoted to students' presentations of their individual assignments: the drafting of a Wikipedia entry on an author or work from the Latin Middle Ages, prepared by applying what they have learnt about the discipline's specific bibliographic tools and uploaded to the web.
Prerequisites for admission
The course presupposes the knowledge of the fundamentals of the literary history of the Latin Middle Ages, as acquired through a 1st level exam in the field of Medieval Latin literature or Humanistic Philology. A good knowledge of Latin is also essential.
Teaching methods
The teaching is of the alpha type. The lectures pertaining to section A will be conducted in the traditional frontal mode. Nevertheless, common discussion will be solicited on methodological and interpretative approaches to the case addressed.
In section b dedicated to research tools, the presentation by the teacher will be accompanied by experiences of research in group in the classroom, through the digital supports available for the discipline (databases and online archives). Furthermore, part of the time will be devoted to individual presentations of students, aimed at demonstrating both the results obtained in the drafting of the respective Wikipedia entries, and the ability to organize their exposure effectively.
The three sections use booklets provided on the MyAriel platform.
Given the strong interactive and applicative component of teaching, attendance is strongly recommended.
In section b dedicated to research tools, the presentation by the teacher will be accompanied by experiences of research in group in the classroom, through the digital supports available for the discipline (databases and online archives). Furthermore, part of the time will be devoted to individual presentations of students, aimed at demonstrating both the results obtained in the drafting of the respective Wikipedia entries, and the ability to organize their exposure effectively.
The three sections use booklets provided on the MyAriel platform.
Given the strong interactive and applicative component of teaching, attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Section A:
- Abelardo ed Eloisa, Epistolario, a cura di I. Pagani, Torino, UTET 2004 (available in a paperback edition since 2008). This volume is the examination text (limited to the introduction and those parts of the text that will be specified during the course, in Latin and in translation)
- Booklet: Materiali complementari (available from early February 2027 on the course page in MyAriel)
Section B:
Booklet: "Strumenti e testi per le esercitazioni" (available from the beginning of February 2027 on the MyAriel website).
Non-attending students:
- Abelardo ed Eloisa, Epistolario, a cura di I. Pagani, Torino, UTET 2004 (available in a paperback edition since 2008). The volume is required reading for the examination, limited to the introduction; the full text of the first five letters in translation; and the Latin text of the sections to be specified on MyAriel (in common with attending students)
- E. Gilson, Eloisa e Abelardo, Torino, Einaudi, 1950 and reprints
- J. Ziolkowski, La poesia d'amore, in Lo spazio letterario del Medioevo 1: Il Medioevo latino, 2: La produzione del testo, Roma, Salerno, 1993, pp. 43-71.
Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher for clarification on the syllabus; it is also possible to agree on a different syllabus, or one that differs in part, according to the student's specific interests.
- Abelardo ed Eloisa, Epistolario, a cura di I. Pagani, Torino, UTET 2004 (available in a paperback edition since 2008). This volume is the examination text (limited to the introduction and those parts of the text that will be specified during the course, in Latin and in translation)
- Booklet: Materiali complementari (available from early February 2027 on the course page in MyAriel)
Section B:
Booklet: "Strumenti e testi per le esercitazioni" (available from the beginning of February 2027 on the MyAriel website).
Non-attending students:
- Abelardo ed Eloisa, Epistolario, a cura di I. Pagani, Torino, UTET 2004 (available in a paperback edition since 2008). The volume is required reading for the examination, limited to the introduction; the full text of the first five letters in translation; and the Latin text of the sections to be specified on MyAriel (in common with attending students)
- E. Gilson, Eloisa e Abelardo, Torino, Einaudi, 1950 and reprints
- J. Ziolkowski, La poesia d'amore, in Lo spazio letterario del Medioevo 1: Il Medioevo latino, 2: La produzione del testo, Roma, Salerno, 1993, pp. 43-71.
Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher for clarification on the syllabus; it is also possible to agree on a different syllabus, or one that differs in part, according to the student's specific interests.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam includes an oral test, which consists of an interview on programme topics, aimed at ascertaining students' acquisition of the knowledge and skills presented above and the specific contents of the monographic section (including the comprehension in the original language of the texts to be studied). Both the solidity of acquired knowledge and the ability to organize them in an effective discourse and to expose them using the specialized vocabulary of the discipline will be evaluated.
the final assessment takes into account the writing of an encyclopedic entry on an author or text of the medieval Latinity (to be published in Wikipedia and presented to colleagues during the lessons) contributes to the final mark. The grade is expressed in 30ths and the minimum grade to pass the exam is 18.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also SLD should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
the final assessment takes into account the writing of an encyclopedic entry on an author or text of the medieval Latinity (to be published in Wikipedia and presented to colleagues during the lessons) contributes to the final mark. The grade is expressed in 30ths and the minimum grade to pass the exam is 18.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also SLD should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
FLMR-01/A - Medieval and Humanistic Latin Literature - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Guglielmetti Rossana Eugenia
Professor(s)