B5033 - Medieval Latin Civilization

Learning outcomes

At the end of the Course, students know the main steps of the history of Medieval Latin literature and the main characteristics of Medieval culture. Besides, students will be able to analyze the texts shown during classes and to connect them with the epoch they belong to. At the same time, they will be able to use the main tools enabling them to understand and analyze them from a philological and textual-historical perspective.

Course contents

The course will deal with science and magic during the Middle Ages; it will analyze the interactions between the two branches of knowledge and their traditions. Some representative passages taken from the texts will be read in Italian and discussed with the students.

The main goal of the course is to show how, during the Middle Ages, magic interacts with the system of sciences building the based of Medieval culture.

The texts will be uploaded on the Virtuale platform, as well as the bibliography, when that does not be in opposition to the copyright rules.

Readings/Bibliography

- I. Parri, La magia nel Medioevo, Roma, Carocci, 2018;

- G. Federici Vescovini, Medioevo magino: la magia tra religione e scienza nei secoli 13 e 14, Torino, Utet, 2008;

- L. Bianchi e A. Sannino (eds), La magia naturale tra Medioevo e prima età moderna, Firenze, SISMEL, 2018.

Further readings will be presented during the Course.

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

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching methods

Classes (30 hours). Classes will consist of introductory lessons given by Prof. Ventura and concerning each author we will focus upon, and of close discussions on the translation and interpretation of the selected texts.

The first two classes will be recorded, and put at students' disposal at their specific request.

Assessment methods

The exam will consist of an interview. Attending students have two options; they may:

- prepare a short lecture on a text related to the topics discussed during the course and selected by them, and present it by using the bibliography put together with the assistance of Prof. Ventura at least one month before the exam (this option is reserved to attending students);

- undergo an interview and answer the questions put by Prof. Ventura.

Whatever decision they will make, students should demonstrate that

-they are able to outline the main elements of the historical development of Medieval Latin and Vernacular literature on magic;

- they are able to interpret and present the main characteristics of the text discussed during classes correctly.

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

Attending students may choose between the two option listed above; if the select the lecture option, they must 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 set an appointment for a meeting with her, in order to prepare themselves for the exam.

Teaching tools

The selected texts will be uploaded on the "Virtuale" platform, when accessible only in print. The same goes for the bibliography that will be uploaded when it does not collide with the copyright rules.

Office hours

See the website of Iolanda Ventura