13116 - Medieval Latin Literature

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students know the history of Medieval Latin literature and culture. They are able to analyze the texts belonging to the course readings, and to connect them with the historical period they belong to. 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 will consist of two main sections: in the first part, I will offer a general overview of the history of Medieval Latin literature and of its most representative literary genres.

In the second part of the course, I will focus upon a specific topic, namely the characteristics of Latin literature during the Carolingian Age. In particular, the Course will focus on Carolingian historiography, poetry, and scientific literature. The general outline of Carolingian literature will be accompanied by selected readings and by a discussion of representative texts.

Readings/Bibliography

As far as the first section of the course is concerned, the perusal of a good handbook of Medieval Latin literature is recommended, e.g.: 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. Students are kindly requested to note that they should choose only one of the handbooks,  and that any of them will be accepted.

The second section of the course will be based, among other studies, on following books: R. McKitterick, History and Memory in the Carolingian World, Cambridge, 2004; R. McKitterick, Charlemagne. The Formation of a European Identity, Cambridge, 2008; Il secolo di Carlo Magno. Istituzioni, letteratura e cultura del tempo carolingio. A cura di I. Pagani e F. Santi, Firenze 2016; F. Stella, The Carolingian Revolution. Unconventional Approaches to Medieval Latin Literature I, Turnhout, 2021. Further readings will be provided during the course, and uploaded on the "Virtuale" platform.

Teaching methods

Classes (30 hours). Classes will consists of introductory lessons given by Prof. Ventura, and of close discussions in which we will read, translate, comment and interpret 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;

- translate, comment, discuss the selected texts;

- if the student choose to select a specific topic, he/she should be able to provide an overview of the selected topic (author, text, cultural phenomenon etc.) in form of a short speech (25-30 minutes), without reading a previously written tex.

The final evaluation will consider these elements:

- insufficient qualification = lacking basic knowledge, scarce capacity to portrait cultural and historical phenomena

- sufficient qualification = average knowledge of the subject, but careless, inaccurate exposition lacking personal elaboration

- good qualification = general preparation of adequate level, ability to explain cultural and historical phenomena correctly and with logical coordination

- excellent qualification = outstanding knowledge of the subject, ability to analyze cultural and historical phenomena in depth and independently, excellent communication skills

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 connected with the Course content, and prepare an exposé they will present 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 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.

Students are kindly requested to note that, in order to follow the Course, it is mandatory to have a sufficient command of Latin language. Students who wish to improve their basic knowledge of Latin are warmly invited to attend the first section of the Course in "Written Culture of the Medieval West and Humanism" (90423), offered by Prof. Ventura as a part of the curriculum of the Master in Library and Archive Science (class schedule: II term; Thursday-Friday, 4PM-7 PM).

Teaching tools

During the course, texts and further readings will by put at students' disposal via the "Virtuale" platform. Furthermore, a general overview of research tools related to Medieval literature (bibliographies, handbooks, dictionaries etc.) will be offered at the beginning of the cours.

Office hours

See the website of Iolanda Ventura