27563 - Medieval and Classical Latin Literature (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will know the history of Middle Latin literature in broad outline, and have the ability to analyse both original texts and Italian translations from a literary point of view. They will grasp how different cultures interacted in history. They will be able to describe and illustrate the multi-level relations between history and literature. They will have learnt to listen, understand and debate respectfully with different cultures and viewpoints.

Course contents

Charlemagne. King and Emperor

The first part of the course will be devoted to a presentation of medieval Latin literature (with particular attention to historiographical texts), also considering how a Latin text of the Middle Ages is produced and spread and why it is written in the various periods.

In the second part, the course will be devoted to the reading and commentary of the Vita Karoli  by Eginard, a contemporary of his who wrote a few years after his death, at a time of crisis in the Carolingian Empire. It is a short text but one that leads the reader to the heart of the Carolingian world with its strengths and conflicts.

Some manuscripts of the text studied will also be presented, showing the type of communication they aimed at. It will consider how a careful literary examination of the text can bring historical information.

Readings/Bibliography

1. Institutional part

Only one work of your choice from the following

Letteratura latina medievale (secoli VI-XV). Un manuale cur. Claudio Leonardi, Firenze, SISMEL. Edizioni del Galluzzo [http://www.sismel.it/] 2002 pp. XII-512 (Millennio medievale 31. Strumenti [SISMEL] 2) (seven essays selected)

Francesco Santi, L'età metaforica. Figure di Dio e letteratura latina medievale da Gregorio Magno a Dante Spoleto (Perugia), Centro italiano di studi sull'Alto Medioevo (CISAM) 2011 pp. XVIII-404 tavv. 1 (Uomini e mondi medievali. Collana del Centro italiano di studi sul basso medioevo - Accademia tudertina 25) (or the first part pp. 3-149 or second part pp. 153-345)

2. For the monographic part

(A) * Paolo Chiesa (trad. comm.) Eginardo Vita Karoli. «Personalità e imprese di un re grandissimo e di meritatissima fama» Firenze, SISMEL. Edizioni del Galluzzo per la Fondazione Ezio Franceschini [https://www.sismel.it/] 2014 pp. CLXXXII-137 tavv. (Per verba. Testi mediolatini con traduzione 29) (The text of the Vita composed by Einhard and only one of the introductory chapters at the student's choice). An alternative edition to this one may be proposed to the professor.

Non-attending students will have to prepare themselves on a further Latin work of the Middle Ages of a historiographic nature, agreed with the teacher.

 

Teaching methods

1. The teacher will present the themes and problems envisaged by the program, discussing the methodological and history aspects of culture with the students, reading and commenting on Middle Latin texts.

2. The teacher will read and comment on Vita Karoli text

3. During the course, the teacher will present to the students the problem of the handwritten transmission of medieval historiographic works, giving tools to describe and use a medieval code.

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 exam is oral and normally lasts about 30 minutes, during which the teacher also offers the student the space to present their topic in an articulated way. The following articulation of the interview should be kept in mind.

In the first part the student will be confronted with the general problems posed by the course and will be questioned on the general characteristics of medieval Latin literature and medieval historiography. It will be possible to discuss profiles of Middle-Latin authors or general themes posed by the Latin literature of the Middle Ages.

In the second part of the exam some parts of the texts read in class will be discussed in relation to the problems and hypotheses posed by the course and in particular in relation to the figure of Charlemagne.

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.

Teaching tools

During the course, the main internet sites that allow access to information on Latin authors, texts and manuscripts of the Middle Ages will be presented.

 

Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the appropriate office: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Santi