31219 - Germanic Philology 1 (A-L)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student will possess the theoretical and material fundamentals in order to understand the Germanix languages, literatures and cultures (which must be intended like corpora indipendently from their literary value) from their proto-historical past to the end of the Middle Ages, in other words the cultures that Germanic peoples starting from the prehistorical period. The Middle Ages will be at the centre of investigation because in that period the common Germanic cultural milieu is more evident through the large number of sources and documentation in Old Germanic languages and literatures. The student will be able to read, translate and give a philological and linguistic comment to a short passage in an Old Germanic language

Course contents

Students of the 9 CFU (60hrs) course:

Module A (30hrs):

Fondamentals of Germanic Philology

The cultural peculiarities of the Germanic peoples will be taken into account: the oral transmission of knowledge, law, religion, social structure and the role of women. Part of the module will analyze the literary genres of the Germanic literature of the Middle Ages (heroic poetry, sagas, skaldic poetry, religious poetry). The themes of the module will be analyzed by reading and commenting some primary sources in Italian translation. A particular care will be devoted to the literary and documental production of the medieval period. The main philological methodologies of texs reconstruction will be presented during the course.

Module B (30hrs):

Gods, goddesses, heroes and heroines of the North: the poetic Edda

Together with Snorri Sturluson's Edda, the Eddic Book of Lays commonly known as the Poetic Edda, constitutes one of the most important sources for knowledge of much of the Norse pagan myths and religion as well as the events related to the Nibelungs heroic cycle. Divided into twenty-nine lays, some of them with a long oral tradition behind them, the Poetic Edda includes some of the best known and most studied texts of the Norse world such as, for instance, Völuspá (“Prophecy of the Seer”) or Fáfnismál (“Lay of Fáfnir”) or Atlakviða (“Lay of Attila”).

After a general overview of the entire poetic collection, the module will examine some of the salient compositions, which will be read and commented on during the lectures.

Students of the 6 CFU (30 hrs) course:

Module A or B (at choice)

Readings/Bibliography

Module A:

Materials at disposal on Virtuale platform;

Alessandro Zironi, Filologia germanica. Lingua, storia, cultura, testi, Firenze, Le Monnier Università, 2022 (le parti indicate su Virtuale).

Module B:

Other material and bibliography selected by the teacher (online)

Scardigli, Piergiuseppe (a cura di), Il Canzoniere eddico, Milano, Garzanti, qualsiasi edizione (parti segnalate dal docente).

Battaglia, Marco, Edda poetica. Mito, eroismo e tragedia nel Medioevo scandinavo, Milano, Meltemi, (in uscita a settembre/ottobre 2025);

 

Non attending students

Module A:

Alessandro Zironi, Filologia germanica. Lingua, storia, cultura, testi, Firenze, Le Monnier Università, 2022 (whole volume)

Module B:

Other material and bibliography selected by the teacher (online)

Scardigli, Piergiuseppe (a cura di), Il Canzoniere eddico, Milano, Garzanti, qualsiasi edizione.

Battaglia, Marco, Edda poetica. Mito, eroismo e tragedia nel Medioevo scandinavo, Milano, Meltemi, (in uscita a settembre/ottobre 2025);

Teaching methods

The lectures will be held in presence without recordings.

Assessment methods

The exam consists in an oral interview on both modules, which can not be shared into separated moments. During the interview the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student will be evaluated . The student will be invited to discuss the texts covered during the course and to move within the sources and bibliographical material in order to be able to identify in them the useful information that will enable to illustrate the similarities and cultural areas of the discipline. The achievement of an organic vision of the issues addressed during the classes and their critical use, which demonstrate ownership of a mastery of expression and specific language, will be assessed with marks of excellence. Mechanical and / or mnemonic knowledge of matter, synthesis and analysis of non-articulating and / or correct language but not always appropriate will lead to discrete assessments; training gaps and / or inappropriate language - although in a context of minimal knowledge of the material - will lead to votes that will not exceed the sufficiency. Training gaps, inappropriate language, lack of guidance within the reference materials offered during the course will lead to failed assessments.

Teaching tools

Video and audio materials on internet.

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Zironi