96019 - Romance Philology - Iberian Course

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will acquire knowledge of the romance languages and literatures of the Middle Ages and their formation, with particular regard to Spanish, Portuguese and Galician. The student will acquire the skills for adopting the instruments of textual criticism, in order to be aware of the transformations of texts and languages through the centuries.

Course contents

Romance Philology

First Module — Instructor: Giovanni Borriero

I. Linguistics

1. From Latin to the Romance languages

2. Romance languages in space and time

3. Introduction to the history of the language and to historical grammar

II. Textual Tradition and Criticism

1. Elements of palaeography

2. Codicology

3. Foundations of textual criticism

Second Module — Instructor: Luca Di Sabatino

I. Literary History

1. Gallo-Romance Literatures (French and Occitan): an introduction

2. A history by genres

3. Introduction to Medieval French Literature

II. Textual Analysis

1. Hagiography (Vie de Saint Alexis), Epic Poetry (Chanson de Roland)

2. Courtly literature: romance (Roman de Troie, Lancelot by Chrétien de Troyes, Tristan by Béroul, Mort le roi Artu), short narrative (Marie de France, Bisclavret), lyric poetry (Thibaut de Champagne, Ausi comme unicorn sui)

3. Theater (Adam de la Halle, Jeu de la feuillée), comic literature (Les perdriz)

 

Romance Philology with an Ibero-Romance Focus

First Module — Module Instructor: Giovanni Borriero

I. Linguistics

1. From Latin to the Romance languages

2. Romance languages in space and time

3. Introduction to the history of the language and to historical grammar

II. Textual Criticism

1. Elements of palaeography

2. Codicology

3. Foundations of textual criticism (ecdotics)

Second Module — Module Instructor: Giovanni Borriero

I. Literary History

1. Iberian-area literature: an introduction

2. A history by genres

3. Introduction to medieval Castilian literature

II. Textual Analysis

1. Hagiography (Vida de san Millán de la Cogolla), epic (Cid), lyric (Galician-Portuguese lyric)

2. Romance narrative (Libro de Alixandre, Libro de Apolonio), short narrative (Cantigas de Santa María), allegorical-didactic literature (Libro de buen amor)

3. Theatre (Rapresentación de los Reyes Magos), travel literature (La Gran Conquista de Ultramar)

Readings/Bibliography

Romance Philology

Fisrt Module

L. Minervini, Filologia romanza. 2. Linguistica, Milano, Le Monnier Università - Mondadori Education, 2022.

A. Stussi, Breve avviamento alla filologia italiana, Bologna, il Mulino, 2002: cap. I Manoscritti e stampe, pp. 11–29; cap. III La trasmissione dei testi, pp. 61–71, cap. IV L’edizione critica, pp. 73–87.

Second Module

F. Brugnolo, R. Capelli, Profilo delle letterature romanze medievali, Roma, Carocci, 2019, chap. I (La letteratura francese antica) and II (La letteratura in lingua d’oc).

P. Gresti, Antologia delle letterature romanze del Medioevo. Seconda edizione, Bologna, Pàtron, 2011 [first ed. 2006] (selected parts).

Further bibliographical details will be provided during the course.

 

Romance Philology with an Ibero-Romance Focus

First Module

L. Minervini, Filologia romanza. 2. Linguistica, Milano, Le Monnier Università - Mondadori Education, 2022.

A. Stussi, Breve avviamento alla filologia italiana, Bologna, il Mulino, 2002: cap. I Manoscritti e stampe, pp. 11-29; cap. III La trasmissione dei testi, pp. 61-71; cap. IV L’edizione critica, pp. 73-87.

Second Module

C. Alvar, La letteratura castigliana medievale, in V. Bertolucci - C. Alvar - S. Asperti, Le letterature medievali romanze d’area iberica, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1999, pp. 97-324.

P. Gresti, Antologia delle letterature romanze del Medioevo. Seconda edizione, Bologna, Pàtron, 2011 [prima ed. ivi, 2006] (sections to be agreed upon).

Further bibliographical details will be provided during the lectures.

Teaching methods

Lectures. Seminar sessions will also be held, encouraging discussion and in-depth group work on the topics covered.

Assessment methods

Oral examination. The purpose of the examination is to assess students’ understanding of the course content (linguistics, textual criticism, literary history, and textual analysis) as well as their ability to engage with it critically. Assessment criteria:

- 18–19: Knowledge of only a very limited number of topics covered in the course; analytical skills emerge only with the instructor’s guidance; overall use of language is generally correct.

- 20–24: Knowledge of a limited number of topics covered in the course; ability to conduct independent analysis on some issues; use of language is correct.

- 25–29: Knowledge of a broad range of topics covered in the course; good critical analytical skills; confident command of the relevant technical terminology.

- 30–30 cum laude: Comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered in the course; outstanding critical analytical skills; excellent command of the relevant technical terminology.

Students with Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) or temporary or permanent disabilities are encouraged to contact the relevant University office well in advance (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it ). The office will propose any appropriate accommodations for the students concerned. Such accommodations must, however, be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will assess their suitability in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

No use of AI tools is envisaged in the assessment of learning outcomes.

Teaching tools

Some study materials (maps, reproductions of manuscripts, text editions, etc.) will be uploaded to the Virtual Learning Environment.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Borriero