92979 - Medieval Latin Hagiography and Biography (1) (Lm)

Learning outcomes

Upon a successful completion of this course, the students have a deep knowledge of the historical and cultural significance of medieval hagiographic texts, also in relationship with biographical texts. They acquire the methodological tools necessary to read hagiographic texts, also about their literary meaning. They possess the philological abilities necessary for the analysis of the texts, for the reconstruction of their manuscript tradition and to realize a critical edition.

Course contents

Part I. Characteristics of medieval Latin hagiography (manual introduction)
- Birth of hagiography as a historical-critical discipline (XVI-XVII sec.).
- Research tools and grants.
- Manuscripts and the differents types of hagiographic texts (calendars, martyrologies, hymnography and liturgy).
- Hagiographic narratives: from ancient biography to Christian hagiography; the Passiones of the martyrs; the Vitae of confessors; the Miracula; the processes of canonization.

Part II. The collective hagiography of the Franciscans between the 13th and 14th centuries: the Dialogus and the Catalogi sanctorum fratrum Minorum (reading of texts in Latin, with Italian translation and commentary).

Readings/Bibliography

Texts of Part II
- Dialogus de gestis sanctorum fratrum Minorum auctore fr. Thoma de Papia, ed. F. Delorme, Ad Claras Aquas (Quaracchi) 1923 (Bibliotheca Franciscana ascetica Medii Aevi, 5) [italian translation Fonti agiografiche dell’Ordine Francescano, ed. M. T. Dolso, Padova, Editrici Francescane, 2014, pp. 99-233; english translation A Dialogue of the Deeds of some holy Friars Minors, ed. C. Murray, Phoenix 2012 (Early Franciscan Ascetical Writings, 1)]
- Fragmenta minora. Catalogus sanctorum fratrum minorum, accurante L. Lemmens, Romae, Typ. Sallustianis, 1903

Monographs (a mandatory choice for non attending students)

 - Forme e modelli della santità in Occidente dal tardo antico al medioevo, a cura di M. Bassetti – A. Degl’Innocenti – E. Menestò, Spoleto, CISAM, 2012 (Uomini e mondi medievali, 31)

- André Vauchez, La santità nel Medioevo, Bologna, Il Mulino, 1989

- Dieter von der Nahmer, Le vite dei santi. Introduzione all’agiografia, Genova, Marietti, 1998

- Anna Benvenuti – Sofia Boesch Gajano (e altri), Storia della santità nel cristianesimo occidentale, Roma, Viella, 2005 (Sacro/santo, n. s., 9)

- Giovanni Paolo Maggioni, La santità in Occidente. Introduzione all’agiografia medievale, Roma, Carocci, 2021

Essays (that of Leonardi plus one choice: for all, attending and non-attending students)

- Claudio Leonardi, Agiografia, in C. Leonardi, Agiografie medievali, edd. A. Degl’Innocenti – F. Santi, Firenze, SISMEL-Edizioni del Galluzzo, 2011 (Millennio Medievale, 89), pp. [31]-[71]

- Anna Imelde Galletti, I Francescani e il culto dei santi nell’Italia centrale, in Francescanesimo e vita religiosa dei laici nel ‘200. Atti dell’VIII Convegno internazionale, (Assisi, 16-18 ottobre 1980), ed. R. Rusconi, Perugia, Università degli Studi di Perugia, 1982 (Convegni. Società internazionale di studi francescani, 8), pp. 311-363

- Roberto Paciocco, Elementi per una tipologia della santità francescana nel secolo XIV, in Santi e santità nel secolo XIV. Atti del XV Convegno internazionale, Assisi, 15-17 ottobre 1987, Perugia- Assisi, Università degli studi di Perugia - Centro di studi francescani, 1989, pp. 79-102

- Roberto Paciocco, «Memorialia de sanctis fratribus minoribus». Per una contestualizzazione, in Fra Elemosina e la riscrittura della memoria cittadina a Gualdo Tadino. Atti dell’incontro di studio. Gualdo Tadino, 17-18 luglio 2017, Spoleto, CISAM, 2019 (Figure e temi francescani, 8. Medioevo francescano, 40), pp. 77-94

Teaching methods

Teaching methods
The course includes 30 hours of frontal teaching. Students are recommended to participate constantly in the lessons, which can be an opportunity for deepening and dialogue.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities

It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Assessment methods

The final exam will take place in oral form and involves a 30-minute verification of the student’s ability to:
- to know the characteristics of medieval Latin hagiography, the main instruments, methods, genres and texts (Part I);
- read, translate and comment on texts (Part II), placing them in the general issues of hagiography;
- to present and discuss the contents of the texts listed in the Bibliography.
The evaluation will follow the following gradation:
Insufficient, for inability to produce a correct translation of the texts and/or serious deficiencies in the basic disciplinary knowledge.
Sufficient, for correct translation of texts, but conducted with inaccuracy and poor autonomy, basic disciplinary knowledge.
Discreet, for correct and autonomous translation of texts, disciplinary knowledge of adequate level and understanding of critical issues.
Good or excellent for correct, autonomous and punctual translation of texts, solid literary, linguistic and disciplinary knowledge and ability to discuss critical issues.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities

It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

Program for non-attending students

For non-attending students, who could not follow the lessons and could not find the notes of the lessons, the program is structured as follows:

Part I. Replace this part with the two Essays plus a Monograph chosen from those in the Bibliography.

Part II. Prepare your own texts in Latin, with translation and commentary in Italian (consult the teacher, before the exam, to know if they have been read in full or not, and which parts).

In the weeks before the beginning of the lessons, an online meeting will be held to explain the exam program to interested students and answer their questions (check the teacher’s personal pages, in the Notices section). For specific needs, please contact the teacher at least one month in advance.

NOTE. For all students, attending and non-attending, part of the exam program can be replaced with a written paper of about ten pages, on a theme to be agreed in advance with the teacher.

Teaching tools

Digital tools available online will be indicated and used during the lectures. Texts and essays that are difficult to find will be made available on the Virtual Platform.

Office hours

See the website of Pierluigi Licciardello