B1649 - Tradition of the Classics in the Romanca Middle Ages (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will acquire knowledge about the origins of Romance languages and literatures; he/she will possess skills related to critical methods and philological-literary and linguistic analysis of medieval texts, with special attention to cases of reworking, translation and exegesis of classical masterpieces in the Romance setting.

Course contents

Romance Philology (LM)

Tradition of Classics in Romance Middle Ages

6 cfu

Prof. Giuseppina Brunetti

On the basis of an appropriate selection of literary texts, which will be read and commented on philologically, the punctual revival of classical forms and texts in the Romance Middle Ages will be studied: the perspective chosen for the course – that of the reception and transmission of classical texts in medieval and modern literature – will also include the philological investigation of the genesis and survival of themes that reach the forms of contemporary literature. The course (September 19, 2023-October 27, 2023) is intended to prepare master students of the LM14 Italianistics and European Literary Cultures and of the LM15 Philology, Literature and Classical Tradition and will be seminar-based.

The course does not require prior knowledge of ancient Romance languages. The texts analysed in class will always be read also in Italian translation; the original French texts will be read with the tutor’s guide and introduced in such a way as to ensure everyone’s understanding. Frequency is strongly recommended. At the end of the course the lecturer offers a guided exercise on the manuscripts in the University Library of Bologna.

• Classes will start on September 19, 2023.

• Course timetable:

Monday, 11:00-13:00, via Zamboni 32, aula I;

Tuesday, 11:00-13:00, via Zamboni 32, aula I;

Wednesday, 11:00-13:00, via Zamboni 32, aula I.

• Syllabus and Course contents:

1. Tradition of Classics in Romance Middle Ages

Through an exemplary selection of episodes, texts and traditions, the reception and transmission of classical works in medieval and modern literature will be studied. Based on specific textual cases, the traditions of significant classical texts will be studied. Then, some translation experiences will be analysed, as well as the revival on modern vernacular texts (Lucan, Boethius, Seneca, Virgil, Livy, in early French romances, etc.), regarding their transmission and new interpretation in 12th century France and 13th and 14th century Italy.

2. Classical and romance texts in Dante’s work

Based on an appropriate selection of texts, which will be read and commented on philologically, we will study the punctual recurrence of classical and romance forms, characters, and texts in Dante’s work.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students

1. For attending students, the notes of the lessons will be the essential basis for the preparation of the exam. In relation to the parts developed during the course, attending students will study a collection of handouts edited by the teacher available online on Virtuale. Students will also study selected sections from L. Leonardi-L. Minervini-E. Burgio, Filologia romanza. Critica del testo, linguistica, analisi letteraria, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2022 (part one: chpts. 1 and 5; part two: chpts. 2 and 3; part three: chpts. 4).

2. Selected excerpts available in the handout. Old French texts will be read with the aid of selected chapters of A. Roncaglia, La lingua d’oïl. Profilo di grammatica storica, Roma (any edition). Finally, students will study an essay of their choice from those listed in the handouts.

Non-attending students

Non-attending students will prepare:

- part one (complete) and part two (complete) of the handbook L. Leonardi-L. Minervini-E. Burgio, Filologia romanza. Critica del testo, linguistica, analisi letteraria, Firenze, Le Monnier, 2022;

- three essays from among those listed in the handouts (available online on Virtuale).

In addition, non-attending students will read in its entirety, in Italian, P. Gresti (ed.), Antologia delle letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Pàtron, 2006, from which they will also be required to read in ancient French, to comment linguistically and to translate 10 texts (to be chosen from nn. 30-53). The reading, the linguistic commentary and the translation of these texts can be prepared with the support of A. Roncaglia, La lingua d’oïl. Profilo di grammatica storica, Roma (any reprint).

Students intending to take the examination as non-attenders and Erasmus students are invited to write to the teacher for additional information.

Classes will start on September 19, 2023

Place and course timetable:

Monday, 11:00-13:00, Via Zamboni 32, aula I

Tuesday, 11:00-13:00, Via Zamboni 32, aula I

Wednesday 11:00-13:00, Via Zamboni 32, aula I

Teaching methods

- Lectures and seminars;

- Philological reading and commentary of texts, investigated in their historical genesis and transmission;

- Discussion of the methods, assumptions and different interpretations of the main critical lines;

- Students can apply for specific bibliographies and specially set up laboratories. There will be individual tutoring.

Assessment methods

• Oral examination.
• The student must demonstrate, with correctness and linguistic properties, that he has studied all parts of the program.
• In the interview, the Professor will assess the learning outcomes and the critical capacity of the student. The student has to be able to read, comment philologically and interpret literary texts in the program, with clarity and relevance. The student will be provided with at least two textual examples among those examined during classes.
• Along with the historical understanding of the text and in particular of the literary genre studied, the student will have to demonstrate competence in methods and problems of romance philology, comparative argumentation skills, and good command of the specific vocabulary of modern editorial practice.
• If the student has decided to submit a written essay, evaluation will include oral presentation in front of his mates. The Professor will judge the ability of synthesis, the correct use of language, coherence of argument, as well as contents and form of the paper (submitted ten days before the oral presentation)

The oral exam will be divided in:

• 1. Development of a topic covered in the A sections (Fundamentals of Romance Philology); 2. Reading and commenting of one or two texts studied in class; 3. Development of a topic covered in B sections (Textual Criticism with discussion of the chosen essays).

Evaluation parameters:

• Insufficient vote: absence or strong lack of basic knowledge and lack of the ability to read and analyse texts;
• Sufficient vote (18): possession of basic notions and sufficient understanding of the texts;
• Positive vote (from 19 to 25): possession of intermediate level of knowledge; correct but not thorough ability in reading texts, sufficient capacity of connection between the different contents, essentially correct expression but with some imprecisions;
• More than positive vote (from 26 to 28): possessing good and articulated knowledge; correct language; discrete critical ability;
• Excellent vote (from 29 to 30L): possessing more than good knowledge; precision, maturity of expression and in-depth analysis; great autonomy in data re-elaboration and the ability to connect content; critical ability and mastery in reading, translation and philological commentary texts. Honours will be given only to students who will demonstrate a complete and solid knowledge of the program, critical ability, autonomy and brilliant and organic exposure of acquired knowledge.

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppina Brunetti