B5103 - Late Medieval Political Institutions (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

Students at the end of the course acquire in depth and specific knowledge about the main institutions and late medieval political structures, with attention to the synchronic framework and to the transition to the early modern age. Students can evaluate the contribution of thematically defined historical disciplines, particularly in the field of political and institutional history. They can apply the appropriate methodologies of investigation to specific problems and documents and effectively communicate the results of their historiographic reflection.

Course contents

The course focuses on the political-institutional history of the "long Quattrocento" of Bologna, considered as a possible case study of the so-called Renaissance state. The investigation will be carried out through the analysis of institutional changes, autonomist tensions, forms of subjection to the papacy, elaboration of oligarchic forms and a signoria within a political language and an institutional architecture still partly with a communal character.

Main topics covered in the lecture

• Brief historiographical insight into the periodization and conceptualisation of the late medieval period and the category of the Italian Renaissance State
  
• Outlines of the political history of the Church State
  
• Outlines of the political history of Bologna in the 14th century
  
• The political relationship between Bologna and the Papacy from the end of the 14th century to the end of the 15th century
  
• Political and institutional evolution of Bologna from 1376 onwards
  
• The concept of libertas
  
• Diplomatic relations as an instrument of political negotiation of the libertas
  
• The evolution in an oligarchic and then patrician sense of the Bolognese ruling class
  
• Outlines of the history of Bentivoglio's signoria

Readings/Bibliography

Students who attend at least 75% of the lessons are considered to be attending.

Lessons will begin on Monday, 5 April 2027.

ATTENDING STUDENTS:

In addition to the notes and material used during the lessons, attending students will prepare the exam on:

1) M. Pellegrini, Il papato nel Rinascimento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2010: Chapt. I e III

2) S. Carocci, Città e governo papale nel Quattrocento, in Id., Vassalli del papa. Potere pontificio, aristocrazie e città nello Stato della Chiesa (XII-XV sec.), Roma, Viella, 2010, pp. 99-159

3) T. Duranti, La costruzione di un linguaggio della libertas in una città superiorem recognoscens: Bologna, XIV-XV secolo, in La libertà nelle città comunali e signorili italiane, a cura di A. Zorzi, Roma, Viella, 2020, pp. 201-228

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS:

1) F. Somaini, Il tracollo delle città-Stato e il ruolo dei centri urbani nella nuova geografia politica dell’Italia rinascimentale, in Lo Stato del Rinascimento in Italia 1350-1520, a cura di A. Gamberini e I. Lazzarini, Roma, Viella, 2014, pp. 221-240

2) M. Pellegrini, Il papato nel Rinascimento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2010: Chapt. I e III

3) S. Carocci, Città e governo papale nel Quattrocento, in Id., Vassalli del papa. Potere pontificio, aristocrazie e città nello Stato della Chiesa (XII-XV sec.), Roma, Viella, 2010, pp. 99-159

4) A. De Benedictis, Lo "stato popolare di libertà": pratica di governo e cultura di governo (1376-1506), in Bologna nel Medioevo (Storia di Bologna, 2), a cura di O. Capitani, Bologna, BUP, 2007, pp. 899-950

5) T. Duranti, Diplomazia e autogoverno nel Quattrocento (1392-1466). Fonti per la storia delle istituzioni, Bologna, Clueb, 2009, pp. 11-117 (available on virtual.unibo.it)

 

 

 

Teaching methods

Frontal lectures. During some lessons some particularly important sources for the theme of the course will be provided and analyzed together with the students.

Assessment methods

Students who attend at least 75% of the lessons are considered to be attending.

The exam is oral and in Italian.

Therefore, the following will be assessed: the knowledge gained in the lessons and in the topics contained in the books in the programme; the command of language and clarity of exposition; the ability to make links between the various topics.

The achievement of a comprehensive and critical knowledge of the themes studied, together with a well-structured ability to present and discuss the material, will be assessed with marks of excellence.

Merely mnemonic knowledge of the topics, together with the ability to synthesise and present in correct language, will lead to fair marks.

Gaps in knowledge and an elementary use of language will lead to grades below satisfactory. Gaps in knowledge, inappropriate language and lack of orientation within the materials indicated in the programme will result in a failing grade.

This course (6 CFU) is part of the integrated course "MEDIEVAL INSTITUTIONS AND CIVILISATIONS (CI) (LM)". If the student has the Integrated Course (12 CFU) in their study plan, the final grade will be the arithmetic average of the marks obtained in the two components ("CIVILISATION OF THE LATE MIDDLE AGES (1) (LM)" and "LATE MEDIEVAL POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS (1) (LM)").

N.B.: students are reminded that the examinations of the two C.I. modules must be taken on the same exam date.

During the academic year, exams are scheduled for the following months:

• September 2026 (only students from previous academic years)
• November 2026 (only students from previous academic years)
• January 2027 (only students from previous academic years)
• May 2027 (for all students)
• June 2027 (for all students)
• July 2027 (for all students)

 

The use of AI is prohibited for assessment purposes. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Teaching tools

The teaching tools used during the lessons will also be available on virtuale.unibo.it 

 

Students with learning disorders and\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.

Office hours

See the website of Tommaso Duranti