07080 - Economic and Social History of the Middle Ages

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have a basic knowledge of the social and economic history of medieval Europe, including its institutional and cultural implications. They will recognise interrelations among historical phenomena and processes, and differences of spatio-temporal scale. They will be able to read and comment critically on texts and data, as well as to speak and write on related topics using proper terminology. Students will acquire a critical methodological approach and apply models of interpretation to social and institutional processes, identifying the relevant sources.

Course contents

The course aims to analyse the main themes of the social and economic history of the Middle Ages, through the analysis and comparison of particularly interesting case studies and the interpretation of significant sources (in Italian translation or Latin with Italian translation).

The first module (6 CFU) will focus on the fundamentals of the Social History of the Middle Ages, also analysed in connection with economic developments. In the second module (6 CFU) will be examined in depth the following themes, with direct recourse to historiography and sources: the structure of the aristocracy, the spread of castles and the development of seigniorial powers in the 9th-12th centuries.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students (6 CFU):

1. topics and sources analysed in the lectures (the ppts will be available on line)
2. S. Gasparri, Italia longobarda. Il regno, i Franchi, il papato, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2012(only pp. 3-73)
3. S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L’Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo (300-900), Roma, Carocci, 2012 (only Part II, pp. 214-313)
   
4. S. Carocci, Signori e signorie, in Storia d’Europa e del Mediterraneo, vol. VIII, Il Medioevo (secoli V-XV). Popoli, poteri, dinamiche, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2006, pp. 409-448

Non attending students (6 CFU):

1. S. Gasparri, Italia longobarda. Il regno, i Franchi, il papato, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2012(only pp. 3-73)
2. S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L’Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo (300-900), Roma, Carocci, 2012 (only Part II, pp. 214-313)
   
3. S. Carocci Signori e signorie, in Storia d’Europa e del Mediterraneo, vol. VIII, Il Medioevo (secoli V-XV). Popoli, poteri, dinamiche, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2006, pp. 409-448
   
4. One book on your choice from the following list:

• G. Albertoni, L’elefante di Carlo Magno, Bologna, Il Mulino
• A. Barbero, Carlo Magno. Un padre dell'Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza
• S. Gasparri, Voci dei secoli oscuri. Un percorso nelle fonti dell'alto medioevo, Roma, Carocci
• T. Lazzari, Le donne nell'alto Medioevo, Milano-Torino 2010 (free download https://unibo.academia.edu/TizianaLazzari )
• R. Rao, I paesaggi dell’Italia medievale, Roma, Carocci
• L. Provero, Contadini e potere nel Medioevo, Roma, Carocci

Attending students (12 CFU)

1. topics and sources analysed in the lectures (the ppts will be available on line)
2. S. Gasparri, Italia longobarda. Il regno, i Franchi, il papato, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2012(only pp. 3-73)
3. S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L’Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo (300-900), Roma, Carocci, 2012 (only pp. 214-313)
   
4. S. Carocci, Signori e signorie, in Storia d’Europa e del Mediterraneo, vol. VIII, Il Medioevo (secoli V-XV). Popoli, poteri, dinamiche, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2006, pp. 409-448
5. L. Provero, L’Italia dei poteri locali (secoli X-XII), Roma, Carocci, 1998 (only pp. 21-150)

Non attending students (12 CFU)

1. S. Gasparri, Italia longobarda. Il regno, i Franchi, il papato, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2012(only pp. 3-73)
2. S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L’Europa occidentale tra antichità e medioevo (300-900), Roma, Carocci, 2012 (only Part II, pp. 214-313)
   
3. S. Carocci, Signori e signorie, in Storia d’Europa e del Mediterraneo, vol. VIII, Il Medioevo (secoli V-XV). Popoli, poteri, dinamiche, Roma, Salerno Editrice, 2006, pp. 409-448
4. L. Provero, L’Italia dei poteri locali (secoli X-XII), Roma, Carocci, 1998 (only pp. 21-150)
5. Two books on your choice from the following list:

• G. Albertoni, L’elefante di Carlo Magno, Bologna, Il Mulino
• A. Barbero, Carlo Magno. Un padre dell'Europa, Roma-Bari, Laterza
• S. Gasparri, Voci dei secoli oscuri. Un percorso nelle fonti dell'alto medioevo, Roma, Carocci
• T. Lazzari, Le donne nell'alto Medioevo, Milano-Torino 2010 (scaricabile da https://unibo.academia.edu/TizianaLazzari )
• R. Rao, I paesaggi dell’Italia medievale, Roma, Carocci
• L. Provero, Contadini e potere nel Medioevo, Roma, Carocci

 

Teaching methods

Lectures, with exposition of topics and readings of documents (in italian translation or original language – Latin -accompanied by an Italian translation).

Assessment methods

Students who attend at least 75% of the lessons are considered to be attending.

Attending students:

With regard to the 6 CFU examination, the exam consists of an oral discussion relating to the texts in the syllabus and the content of the lectures.

As regards the 12 CFU exam, you will be given the choice of taking the entire syllabus (module 1+2) in the oral exam, or splitting the syllabus into two parts: in this case, you will take a written exam on module 1 (on a date to be decided, but in any case during the final week of lectures) and then an oral interview on module 2. In this case, the syllabus for the written test on module 1 will be as follows: material relating to module 1 uploaded onto the virtual space + Gasparri + Gasparri-La Rocca. The syllabus of module 2 will be as follows: material relating to module 2 uploaded on the virtual space + Carocci + Provero.

The choice of dividing the programme into two parts is strongly recommended.

Non-attending students:

The exam consists of an oral discussion related to the texts in the programme.

Are evaluated: the property of language, the understanding of the topics discussed, the ability to propose connections between different themes.

The vote is expressed in 30/30. At discretion of the teacher, a mention of “lode” can be added.

Evaluation criteria and degrees

The achievement by the student of a full critical knowledge of the topics taught in the course and mastery of the specific language will be evaluated with excellence marks. A mnemonic knowledge of the matter and synthesis and analysis skills articulated in a language not always appropriate will lead to discrete evaluations. Inappropriate formative and/or inappropriate language will lead to just sufficient marks. Serious formative errors, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographic materials provided by the course will be negatively evaluated.

Teaching tools

Reproductions or editions of the sources analysed in class will be made available to the students. At the end of each lesson, the corresponding power point will be uploaded to Virtuale.

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: Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en] [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en].

Office hours

See the website of Maria Elena Cortese