C9564 - STORIA DEL PAESAGGIO E DELLE VIE DI COMUNICAZIONE NEL MEDIOEVO

Learning outcomes

The course analyzes and reconstructs the transformations of medieval landscapes over the centuries, resulting from the ongoing interaction between human activity and the natural world. Particular attention is devoted to road and river communication routes, investigated from an interdisciplinary perspective that combines history, archaeology, and anthropology. By the end of the course, students will acquire the knowledge and tools needed to situate, within precise spatial and temporal coordinates, the historical processes through which systems of belief and values, behavioral practices, political-institutional shifts, socio-economic dynamics, and the use of technical instruments reshaped the morphology of medieval European landscapes. This body of knowledge and these analytical tools enhance students’ critical abilities, refine their understanding of human–nature relationships, and foster the capacity to apply scientific methods of analysis to the ways humans have inhabited and shaped space

Course contents

The course aims to outline the main historical transformations of medieval landscapes, through a close dialogue with social, political, religious, and institutional history.

Both rural and urban landscapes are analysed. Constant attention is paid to medieval routes—both overland and by river—which were travelled by kings and aristocrats, bishops and abbots, pilgrims and merchants in the Middle Ages.

Special focus is placed on medieval routes connecting the areas north and south of the Alps, which were pivotal for the functioning and very existence of the Romano-Germanic Empire from the Carolingiana to the Staufers (from the late eighth century to the first half of the thirteenth century).

The course also offers an in-depth analysis of the communication routes that stretched throughout the Po Valley, criss-crossed by the River Po, a realm of forests and waters. Despite its wilderness, danger, and harshness, this landscape retained a profound fascination for medieval people as a world open to the realm of the marvellous and the sacred. Over the course of the Middle Ages, this landscape was increasingly shaped and transformed by those people through hard work and a rationality aimed at conquering arable and habitable land.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students will be assessed on:

• Course notes.
• V. Fumagalli, Storie di Val Padana. Campagne, foreste e città da Alboino a Cangrande della Scala, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2007.
• F. Opll, Le vie dell'Imperatore. Riflessioni sull'interpretazione storica dell'itinerario, in Itinerari medievali e identità europea. Atti del Congresso Internazionale (Parma, 27-28 febbraio 1998), a cura di R. Greci, Bologna: Clueb, 1999, 75–96.
• G. Sergi, Antidoti all'abuso della storia. Medioevo, medievisti, smentite, Napoli: Liguori, 2010, 191–221 (only the following book chapters: Strumenti dell'apertura: strade e Alpi, 191–199; Mobilità per fede, per guerra e per denaro: la via Francigena, 201–215; Contro il determinismo stradale: esiti diversi di due rami della via Francigena, 217–221).

Non-attending students will be assessed on:

• The aforementioned readings for attending students, which include an entire book (V. Fumagalli, Storie di Val Padana…); an essay (Oppl, Le vie dell'Imperatore...); and selected book chapters (G. Sergi, Antidoti..., pp. 191-221).
• R. Rao, I paesaggi dell’Italia medievale, Roma: Carocci, 2015 (or later editions);
• A.A. Settia, Castelli medievali, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2021.

Attending as well as non-attending students are not necessarily required to have a basic knowledge of medieval history to attend this course.

 

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons.

The traditional lecture format is integrated by slides with maps, images, and texts. Medieval sources are provided in both the original language (Latin) and translation (Italian).

These materials are uploaded on the online platform Virtuale (https://virtuale.unibo.it/) throughout the course.

Assessment methods

The oral examination, to be taken once the lectures have concluded, is the main form of assessment and evaluation.

During the course—shortly before the midpoint—a written midterm exam will be held on the topics covered up to that point. This midterm written exam is optional and not compulsory. It consists of three open-ended questions, addressing broad-scope topics. The duration is one and a half hours. The use of any paper-based aids (such as notes) or digital devices (mobile phone or laptop), including AI tools, is strictly prohibited and constitutes a violation of academic integrity. This preliminary assessment focuses, first and foremost, on a general knowledge of the topics and, secondly, on the depth of their understanding, as demonstrated in the written response to each open-ended question. For students who pass the midterm exam, the grade obtained will serve as the starting point for the oral exam, which aims to confirm or improve that initial mark. In the event of a failing grade or absence, the oral exam will be the sole method of assessment and evaluation.

The following aspects are assessed in the oral examination:

- the knowledge and mastery of the topics covered in the course and in the reading list;

- the ability to analyse those topics correctly, to re-examine them critically and to present them clearly;

- the adoption of a sound methodological approach;

- the use of appropriate language, in line with the requirements of the discipline.

Students who demonstrate an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the topics covered in lectures, the development of historical critical approach, the mastery of a vocabulary and conceptual notions consistent with the discipline are awarded top marks.

A general knowledge of the subject, good analytical and summarising skills, accompanied, however, by language that is not always appropriate, result in moderate marks.

Gaps in knowledge and/or inappropriate language, even where there is a basic understanding of the main topics, do not guarantee that the pass threshold will be achieved.

Gaps in knowledge, inappropriate language and a lack of familiarity with the bibliographical materials will result in failure of the examination.

Attendance at classes/lectures is strongly recommended.

A student is considered to be attending if he/she attends at least 75 per cent of the lessons.

Active participation in classes/lectures—through questions, contributions, requests for clarification and further discussions—is particularly appreciated and influences the final mark.

At least eight exam sessions are scheduled per academic year.

Teaching tools

- Projection (with comments) of maps concerning medieval landscapes and routes travelled by kings and aristocrats, bishops and abbots, pilgrims and merchants, with particular reference to communication routes between the north and south of the Alps, and fluvial routes that stretched throughout the Po Valley.

- Projection (with comments) of medieval sources,provided in both the original language (Latin) and translation (Italian).

Any initiatives suggested and/or organised by the professor (educational visits, seminars, book presentations) are to be regarded as supplementary to the course and are therefore taken into account in the assessment.

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Message for students with Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD), or temporary/permanent disabilities. They are strongly encouraged to contact the relevant University office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). This office will propose any necessary accommodations to the students involved. These accommodations must be submitted to the professor for approval at least fifteen days in advance; the professor will evaluate their appropriateness, also in relation to the learning objectives of the course.

Office hours

See the website of Stefano Manganaro