11379 - Medieval History

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course students will: - will be able to appreciate the value of historical knowledge for the understanding of the present; - will be able to distinguish the objectivity of the facts that make up history from the subjectivity of any form of its interpretation and narration (historiography); - will understand the meaning, forms and essential value of the sources and will be able to conduct research through their use; - will be aware of the limits and partiality of the term Middle Ages; - will be able to identify the great legacies of that period in the evolution of relations between mankind and the environment, in the spread, intertwining and conflicts of the great monotheistic religions, in the formation of European nations, in the developments of technology, in the sedimentation of the architectural and historical-artistic heritage of our continent, our nation and our cities; - they will be able to recognise and respect the imprints and legacies of the different cultures that remain in our societies.

Course contents

Part I: epistemology, research and didactics

Knowledge needs of History

History and Historiography

Sources in history, between research and teaching

Periodization

The history workshop

Methodologies and tools for history education

Active citizenship and heritage education

 Cultural heritage and the intertwining of history, heritage and citizenship

 Part II: The Great Outcomes of Medieval History

 The Middle Ages, the great outcomes

 The end of the Roman Empire and the ‘barbarian’ invasions.

 Between East and West: the three monotheistic religions.

 Christianity and Islam

 The Carolingian Empire and the feudal system

 Travel, pilgrimages and crusades

 The Communes

Europe of Nations

Readings/Bibliography

For those attending (attending at least 2/3 of the lectures):

- Lecture notes

- Materials uploaded online

- La didattica della storia. Ricerche, proposte, esperienze, a cura di Beatrice Borghi, Rolando Dondarini, Francesco Senatore, «Ricerche Storiche», anno LIV, numero 3 (Pacini editore: Pisa, 2024): e-book, disponibile a ottobre 2024

- R. Dondarini, Quel tempo chiamato medioevo, Napoli, Liguori editore, 2012 (Capitoli 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15).

For non-attendees, substitute notes with:

- B. Borghi, La storia. Indagare, apprendere, comunicare, Bologna, Pàtron, 2016 (pp. 19-103)

Teaching methods

Lessons will be supported by reading, commenting on sources and watching videos and films. Teaching and workshop activities conducted in different contexts will be presented. The main outcomes of history will be analysed on the basis of evidence from the territory. Guided tours and outings in the area are planned.

Assessment methods

The test is conducted orally by questions designed to test knowledge of the topics covered in the lecture and those contained in the required texts. Students are asked questions of a general nature so that they can demonstrate their preparation by orienting themselves in the subject and exploring the topics in depth. In addition to their knowledge of the content, the students are assessed on the basis of their command of language and their ability to organise information into relevant answers that demonstrate critical and argumentative skills.

Teaching tools

Lectures make use of computer network sites, films and audio-visual computer presentations (power point). These tools are made available to students in the ‘Learning Materials’ section of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Galletti