36433 - Formation of Civil Liberties in the Middle Ages

Academic Year 2010/2011

  • Teaching Mode: In-person learning (entirely or partially)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: First cycle degree programme (L) in EDUCATOR IN CHILDHOOD SOCIAL SERVICES (cod. 0994)

Course contents

The course aims to provide students with an overview of the civic institutions of the Middle Ages. In this era, was developed an ideology that, even when rooted in antiquity, brought to fruition the concept of the city as a place of "Libertas". A significant aspect, characterized by a complexity of motives, it is the political campaign to free Bologna's serfs in 1256-57, leading to the emancipation of 5,855 people. This act was memorized in the Liber Paradisus, recording  both names of serfs and of their former lords.

Readings/Bibliography

1) E. Occhipinti, L'Italia dei comuni. Secoli XI-XIII, ed. Carocci, Roma 2000.
2) E. Artifoni, Città e comuni, in Storia medievale, ed. Donzelli, Roma 1998, pp. 363-386.
3) Essays from  F. Bocchi, Bologna nei secoli IV-XIV. Mille anni di storia urbanistica di una metropoli medievale, Bologna, Bononia University Press, 2008
4) Essays from  Il "Liber Paradisus" e le liberazioni collettive nel XIII secolo. Cento anni di studi (1906-2008), a cura di A. Antonelli e M. Giansante, ed. Marsilio, Venezia 2008.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons and visits to archives and museums, where documentation and memory relating to aspects of medieval life is stored.

Assessment methods

Oral examination.

Teaching tools

Lectures will be accompanied by the analysis of documentary sources.

Links to further information

http://www.centrofasoli.unibo.it

Office hours

See the website of Francesca Bocchi