Romance Philology
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims at introducing the students to the historical-comparative study of Romance languages and literature starting from their medieval origin, through a direct review of their written sources.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: at the end of the course the students will have a basic knowledge of the origins, development and classification of the Romance languages; they will also be aware of the main issues about the linguistic, literary and historical-cultural shaping of the medieval Romance world, analyzed from a comparative perspective; furthermore, they will focus on some medieval literary texts in different Romance languages, dealing with subjects as genres and critical methodologies for their interpretation. Applying knowledge and understanding: the students will have the ability to read, translate and analyze text in old Romance languages within their historical and cultural background, pointing out their linguistic features.
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
The program is structured in three parts:
A. Introduction to Romance Linguistics.
B. Introduction to Medieval Romance Literatures.
C. The Problem of the Origins in Romance Literatures.
Part A presents a comparative description of Romance varieties, focusing on common and specific lines of development stemming from Latin, and examining key issues in their past and present history (both in terms of historical grammar and with regard to linguistic research methodologies).
Part B, organized chronologically, thematically, and by textual form, offers a concise overview of the forms of literary writing in the vernaculars of the French, Occitan, Iberian, and Italian regions, with particular attention to the first highly successful genres (epic, lyric, and the novel).
Part C focuses on the texts of the Gallo-Romance, Iberian-Romance, and Italo-Romance origins, devoting particular attention to new discoveries, acquisitions, and knowledge on the subject from the past few decades, and addressing through direct reading both the earliest vernacular texts produced in the indicated areas and certain Gallo-Romance and Iberian-Romance literary texts with a more pronounced literary vocation.
This program is valid until the June/July 2028 exam session.
A. Introduction to Romance Linguistics.
B. Introduction to Medieval Romance Literatures.
C. The Problem of the Origins in Romance Literatures.
Part A presents a comparative description of Romance varieties, focusing on common and specific lines of development stemming from Latin, and examining key issues in their past and present history (both in terms of historical grammar and with regard to linguistic research methodologies).
Part B, organized chronologically, thematically, and by textual form, offers a concise overview of the forms of literary writing in the vernaculars of the French, Occitan, Iberian, and Italian regions, with particular attention to the first highly successful genres (epic, lyric, and the novel).
Part C focuses on the texts of the Gallo-Romance, Iberian-Romance, and Italo-Romance origins, devoting particular attention to new discoveries, acquisitions, and knowledge on the subject from the past few decades, and addressing through direct reading both the earliest vernacular texts produced in the indicated areas and certain Gallo-Romance and Iberian-Romance literary texts with a more pronounced literary vocation.
This program is valid until the June/July 2028 exam session.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is held in Italian. Course materials and the reading list may also be in a foreign language (primarily English, French, and Spanish) and require Linguistics skills.
Teaching methods
The course consists of 60 hours of lectures (9 ECTS credits) and employs the following teaching methods: lectures; translation, analysis, and critical discussion of texts; and examination of digital reproductions of medieval documents, which are included in the volumes listed in the bibliography or made available through the course's dedicated page on the MyAriel online portal (https://myariel.unimi.it).
As the course covers complex topics in various languages (always presented in their original form rather than in translation), regular attendance is strongly recommended.
As the course covers complex topics in various languages (always presented in their original form rather than in translation), regular attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Part A
- lecture notes;
- P. Beltrami, "La filologia romanza," Bologna, il Mulino, 2017, in-depth study of pp. 19-22; 37-52; 63-73; 85-110; 133-196; 305-309, and informed reading of pp. 23-36; 75-81. Knowledge of and the ability to analyze the geolinguistic maps in the volume are integral parts of the exam syllabus;
- other course materials, available online on the MyAriel page at the end of the course.
Part B
- lecture notes;
- P. Beltrami, "La filologia romanza," Bologna, il Mulino, 2017, in-depth study of pp. 199-266, informed reading of pp. 53-61 and 267-301. Knowledge of and ability to comment on the geolinguistic maps in the volume.
- A short anthology of Romance texts to be read carefully, which will be available online on MyAriel 2.0 at the beginning of the course;
- other teaching materials, available online on the MyAriel page at the end of the course.
Part C
- lecture notes;
- M. L. Meneghetti, "Le origini delle letterature medievali romanze," NEW UPDATED AND EXPANDED EDITION, Bari-Rome, Laterza, 2026. The entire volume must be studied, with the following clarification: an in-depth study is required of the sections in larger typeface and of the texts cited and translated (in the main text or in footnotes); an informed reading is required of the discursive sections in smaller typeface found on the indicated pages. The section of photographic plates is an integral part of the syllabus. NB: All editions prior to the one adopted are to be considered obsolete and MAY NOT BE USED FOR EXAM PREPARATION;
- A short anthology of texts and essays, to be studied in full, which will be available online on MyAriel 2.0 at the start of the course.
- lecture notes;
- P. Beltrami, "La filologia romanza," Bologna, il Mulino, 2017, in-depth study of pp. 19-22; 37-52; 63-73; 85-110; 133-196; 305-309, and informed reading of pp. 23-36; 75-81. Knowledge of and the ability to analyze the geolinguistic maps in the volume are integral parts of the exam syllabus;
- other course materials, available online on the MyAriel page at the end of the course.
Part B
- lecture notes;
- P. Beltrami, "La filologia romanza," Bologna, il Mulino, 2017, in-depth study of pp. 199-266, informed reading of pp. 53-61 and 267-301. Knowledge of and ability to comment on the geolinguistic maps in the volume.
- A short anthology of Romance texts to be read carefully, which will be available online on MyAriel 2.0 at the beginning of the course;
- other teaching materials, available online on the MyAriel page at the end of the course.
Part C
- lecture notes;
- M. L. Meneghetti, "Le origini delle letterature medievali romanze," NEW UPDATED AND EXPANDED EDITION, Bari-Rome, Laterza, 2026. The entire volume must be studied, with the following clarification: an in-depth study is required of the sections in larger typeface and of the texts cited and translated (in the main text or in footnotes); an informed reading is required of the discursive sections in smaller typeface found on the indicated pages. The section of photographic plates is an integral part of the syllabus. NB: All editions prior to the one adopted are to be considered obsolete and MAY NOT BE USED FOR EXAM PREPARATION;
- A short anthology of texts and essays, to be studied in full, which will be available online on MyAriel 2.0 at the start of the course.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a single oral test, which is held in italian, grading on a scale of 30; the minimum mark for passing the exam is 18.
However, it is possible to take an optional written pre-test, on the programme of Romance linguistics (part A), which consists of some open-ended questions. There are three exam sessions during the year (in May, in September or in January). If the student passes the written test, he will take only remaining parts of programme to the oral exam.
The mark of the written test will be valid for a solar year. Students who have not passed the written test may attend the oral examination in the same session, taking the exam on all parts of the programme.
The oral examination will ascertain:
1) knowledge of the programme contents;
2) ability of critical thinking;
3) quality and efficacy of presentation;
4) competence in the use of discipline-specific terminology;
5) ability in translating (or paraphrasing, if in ancient Italian), commenting and contextualising a Medieval text.
The part of the exam dedicated to texts (Unit C) always starts with the reading and translation (or the paraphrase) of one or more passages. The ability to read and translate without the support of interlinear versions and/or personal notes is essential to pass the exam.
Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher during office hours of by e-mail before beginning preparation for the exam.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
However, it is possible to take an optional written pre-test, on the programme of Romance linguistics (part A), which consists of some open-ended questions. There are three exam sessions during the year (in May, in September or in January). If the student passes the written test, he will take only remaining parts of programme to the oral exam.
The mark of the written test will be valid for a solar year. Students who have not passed the written test may attend the oral examination in the same session, taking the exam on all parts of the programme.
The oral examination will ascertain:
1) knowledge of the programme contents;
2) ability of critical thinking;
3) quality and efficacy of presentation;
4) competence in the use of discipline-specific terminology;
5) ability in translating (or paraphrasing, if in ancient Italian), commenting and contextualising a Medieval text.
The part of the exam dedicated to texts (Unit C) always starts with the reading and translation (or the paraphrase) of one or more passages. The ability to read and translate without the support of interlinear versions and/or personal notes is essential to pass the exam.
Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher during office hours of by e-mail before beginning preparation for the exam.
International or Erasmus incoming students are kindly requested to contact the teacher of the course. Also students with disabilities should contact the teacher of the course, in order to discuss alternative examination methods, in agreement with the competent Office.
Modules or teaching units
Part A and B
FLMR-01/B - Romance Philology and Linguistics - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Part C
FLMR-01/B - Romance Philology and Linguistics - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
The student reception is only by appointment, in the professor's office. Please contact by email [email protected]
Department of Literary, Philological and Linguistic Studies, Modernistic section - Entrance B, 1st floor, room n. 1062