28955 - History of Medieval Europe (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires the required knowledge to orient himself in the history of the Euro-Mediterranean basin and the critical skills useful to operate in complex theoretical frameworks, even in terms of historical memory in contemporary culture. The student will be able also to face usefully the connections of historical studies with other human sciences. At the end of the course, the student gains in-depth critical knowledge not only of the main lines of the formation of Europe through the interaction between historical phenomena and spatial definitions, but also of the most up-to-date historiographical and scientifical debate. The student can apply specific tools and sources, and to critically evaluate different cultures. The student is able to communicate effectively in written and / or oral form.

Course contents

Forms of Political Discourse and Critique in Early Medieval Europe: from the Post-Roman West to the Revolution of the 11th Century

This course offers an overview of the transformations of the post-Roman West, the rise of early medieval kingdoms, and the re-foundation of the empire in Europe, up to the explosion of the contradictions of this new synthesis in the 11^th century, through a specific focus: the analysis of the forms of political discourse and of political critique, conducted through the reading and discussion of contemporary sources, particularly narrative and literary ones. The lessons will focus on the continental European context, considering its connections with the broader Mediterranean area, and will cover a chronological span from the 5th to the 11th centuries.

Specific insights will address the problem of the cultural construction of ethnic identities, the use of gender discourse for political legitimation and delegitimation, and the critical-analytical tools of ecclesiastical elites within the framework of Carolingian political theology.

Readings/Bibliography

Both attending and non-attending students will have to take a written exam based on the textbook:

• S. Gasparri, C. La Rocca, Tempi barbarici. L'Europa occidentale tra antichità e Medioevo (300- 900), Roma, Carocci, 2012.

Attending students will then have to take an oral exam based on lecture notes and materials that will be uploaded on "Virtuale".

Non-attending students will discuss the contents of a book for the oral exam, to be chosen from the following:

• G. Albertoni, L'elefante di Carlo Magno, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2020.
• I. Barbiera, Memorie sepolte. Tombe e identità nell'alto medioevo (secoli V-VIII), Roma, Carocci, 2012.
• F. Borri, Alboino. Frammenti di un racconto (secoli VI-XI), Roma, Viella, 2016.
• G. Gandino, Contemplare l'ordine. Intellettuali e potenti dell'alto Medioevo, Napoli, Liguori, 2004.
• S. Gasparri, Desiderio, Salerno, Salerno Editrice, 2019.
• P. Geary, In principio erano le donne, Roma, Carocci, 2018.
• H. Keller, Gli Ottoni. Una dinastia imperiale tra Europa e Italia (secc. X e XI), Roma, Carocci, 2012.
• Liutprando di Cremona, De Iohanne papa et Ottone imperatore, Crimini, deposizione e morte di un pontefice maledetto, a c. di P. Chiesa, Firenze 2018 (Per verba, 33).
• W. Pohl, Le origini etniche dell'Europa: barbari e romani tra antichità e Medioevo, Roma, Viella, 2011.

Teaching methods

Lectures always based on the presentation and discussion of sources in order to clarify the process of critical construction of historical narration.

Active participation of students in the discussion of texts and presented issues will be encouraged.

Assessment methods

All students, both attending and non-attending, will have to take a written exam, followed by an oral exam.

The written and oral exams can be taken in the same session or in different sessions.

To access the oral exam, it is necessary to have taken and passed the written exam with a score of at least 18/30.

The written exam aims to assess the acquired knowledge of the textbook and consists of five open-ended questions that require precise answers and good synthesis skills. The first question is worth 0 to 10 points, while the others are worth 0 to 5 points each. The maximum possible score is 30/30.

The evaluation will focus on:

· Mastery of the content

· Ability to synthesize and analyze themes and concepts

· Ability to express oneself in writing appropriately and using language suitable for the subject matter.

Students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the topics covered in the textbook, critical use of the material, excellent expressive skills, and use of specific terminology will receive excellent grades.

Memorization of the material, along with adequate synthesis and analysis presented in correct but not always appropriate language, will result in satisfactory grades.

Significant gaps in knowledge and/or inappropriate language use, even in the context of minimal knowledge of the exam material, will result in grades that do not pass.

Significant gaps in knowledge, inappropriate language use, and lack of orientation within the content of the textbook will be evaluated negatively.

The oral exam is an open conversation aimed at assessing the acquired knowledge:

· of the content presented during the lectures and the materials available on Virtuale for attending students;

· of the chosen book for non-attending students.

The evaluation will consider the student's knowledge, synthesis skills, and critical abilities based on the exam bibliography.

In the evaluation of the oral exam, particular attention will be given to the student's ability to navigate the exam bibliography to extract relevant information for discussing themes and problems and connecting them coherently.

The evaluation will focus on:

· Mastery of the content

· Ability to synthesize and analyze themes and concepts

· Ability to express oneself adequately and using language appropriate to the subject matter.

Students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the topics covered in lectures, along with critical use of the material, excellent expressive skills, and the use of specific terminology, will receive excellent grades.

Memorization of the material, along with adequate synthesis and analysis presented in correct but not always appropriate language, will result in satisfactory grades.

Significant gaps in knowledge and/or inappropriate language use, even in the context of minimal knowledge of the exam material, will result in grades that do not pass.

Significant gaps in knowledge, inappropriate language use, and lack of orientation within the exam bibliography will be evaluated negatively.

The maximum score for the oral exam is 30/30.

The final grade will be the weighted average between the result of the written exam and the result of the oral exam. At the discretion of the instructor, a special distinction (lode) may be added.

Teaching tools

"Virtuale," the university's repository for sharing educational support tools, will be used: PowerPoint presentations summarizing the contents of the lectures, PDF files of sources and proposed readings.

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 Giacomo Vignodelli