90242 - Medieval Latin Literature (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students know the history of Medieval Latin literature, and, more specifically, the history of the Latin literature produced in Italy during the Middle Ages. They are able to analyze both content and language of some selected texts, as well. Finally, they have a good command of tools and strategies allowing them to perform a philological analysis of the same selected texts.

Course contents

The Course intends to introduce students to the topic of the wonders of nature and their perception during the Middle Ages; in particular, it will deal with it by reading and analyzing herbals, bestiaries and lapidaries.

More specifically, the Course will consist of two parts, the first of which will introduce the history and the development of Medieval Latin literature, whereas the second will focus on the study of the main traditions of the literature on mirabilia naturae, among which we recall the Physiologus or the Liber aggregationis and the De mirabilibus mundi attributed to Albert the Great.

Readings/Bibliography

As for the first part of the Course, students will read one of the following handbooks of Medieval Latin Literature: C. Leonardi et al. (a cura di), Letteratura latina medievale (secoli VI-XV), un manuale, Firenze 2002; E. D’Angelo, La letteratura latina medievale: una storia per generi, Roma 2009; P. Chiesa, La letteratura latina del Medioevo, Roma 2017.

As for the second part of the Course, students may refer, among others, to L. Daston - K. Park, Le meraviglie del mondo. Mostri, prodigi e fatti strani dal Medioevo all'Illuminismo, Roma 2000; A. Sannino, Il De mirabilibus mundi tra tradizione magica e filosofia naturale, Firenze 20011; I. Draelants, Le Liber de virtutibus herbarum, lapidum et animalium (Liber aggregationis) : un texte à succès attribué à Albert le Grand, Firenze 2007; C. Macé - J. Gippert, The multilingual Physiologus : studies in the oldest Greek recension and its translations, Turnhout 2021.

Further readings will be presented during the Course. The Latin texts we will read during classes will be uploaded on the "Virtuale" platform.

Students who cannot attend classes are requested to contact Prof. Ventura in order to receive further instructions and a detailed program concerning the preparation of the exam.

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 professor in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Teaching methods

Classes (30 hours). Classes will consists of introductory lessons given by Prof. Ventura, and of close discussions with students on the translation, the comment, and the interpretation of the selected texts.

Assessment methods

The exams will consists of an interview. Student will be examined in their skills to

- identify and describe the historical and typological development of Medieval latin literature, as well as the main steps and phases of its history;

- recognize the different orientations in the literary genres of herbals, bestiaries, and lapidaries;

- translate, discuss, and comment upon the selected texts.

Strong emphasis will be given when evaluating the students, to their skills in describing the cultural phenomena and the specific attributes of the texts discussed during the Course.

Students who attend classes may choose between two different options: 1) take the oral exam, and answer questions put by Prof. Ventura; 2) select a topic (an author, a text, a literary genre) related to the Course program, and prepare an exposé to be presented during the exam; if they chose this option, students must fix a subject in agreement with Prof. Ventura at least 30 days before the examination date.

Student who cannot attend classes will answer questions dealing with one of the above-mentioned handbooks, and with two texts of their choice. At any rate, they are kindly requested to contact Prof. Ventura in time, and fix an appointment for a meeting with her, in order to prepare themselves for the exam.

Teaching tools

During classes, I will provide students with further readings.

The Latin texts discussed during the Course will be uploaded on the "Virtuale" platform.

Office hours

See the website of Iolanda Ventura