27928 - Laboratory (1) (LM) (G. D)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the workshop the student will be able to collect and organize complex information in a coherent way, and apply critical analysis methods to the linguistic sciences. (S)he will be able to identify a research issue, relevant to philological research, and possess the knowledge to identify it and appropriately use necessary sources of information in order to address it.

Course contents

Through this laboratory, students will learn the methods and acquire the knowledge necessary for producing scholarly editions of written artefacts.
They will be trained in encoding manuscripts, inscriptions, and other documentary sources according to the TEI [https://tei-c.org/] XML standard and the EpiDoc [https://sourceforge.net/p/epidoc/wiki/Home/] XML conventions, the reference tools for digitally encoding ancient and medieval documents. Semantic encoding not only addresses the transcription and editorial treatment of the texts themselves, but also the history and materiality of the objects on which they appear.

Readings/Bibliography

Preliminary readings: G. Bodard, EpiDoc: Epigraphic Documents in XML for publication and interchange, in F. Feraudi-Gruenais (ed.), Latin on Stone: Epigraphic Research and Electronic Archives, Lanham 2009, 1-17; C. Roueché, J. Flanders, Gentle Introduction to Mark-up for Epigraphers [https://epidoc.stoa.org/gl/latest/intro-eps.html] .

While the course does not require any further reading, it promotes knowledge of the guidelines for digital semantic encoding and the production of digital editions. Students will work with a selection of written artefacts of their choice.

To apply for a place on this laboratory, which requires attendance and will take place in the third term, please send a brief explanation of your motivation for seeking this training (including details of any relevant sources or projects) to alice.bencivenni2@unibo.it before 15 December 2025.

Teaching methods

The laboratory consists of workshops, with hands-on training involving real-time discussion and feedback sessions, as well as asynchronous tutorials and exercises. Students will practise using classical sources and contribute to collaborative, international platforms for the digital publication of ancient texts.

No prior technical knowledge is required, but participants should be familiar with transcription conventions for inscriptions and papyri ('Leiden') and for manuscripts, as well as with Greek, Latin or other ancient languages.

The course is part of the university's didactic innovation project, operating according to the 'Integrative Digital Didactics (IDD)' model.

Assessment methods

During and after the course, students will draw up digital exercises and scholarly editions of written artefacts, chosen in accordance with their research interests, which will be evaluated by the teacher.

The evaluation will consider methodological accuracy, mastery of the subject matter, and autonomy in completing the work.

There are eight examination sessions throughout the academic year: the first three are held once a month from April to June, the fourth is held in September or October, the fifth is held in December, and the last three are held once a month from January to March.

Teaching tools

The Virtuale platform (virtuale.unibo.it) will make the tools produced by the EpiDoc community available in a structured form. The EpiDoc community collaboratively develops and shares guidelines for the digital, semantic encoding of ancient written sources [https://epidoc.stoa.org/gl/latest/]. The platform will also make available the tools produced by the ENCODE project [https://site.unibo.it/encode/it], an Erasmus+ Strategic Partnership for Higher Education funded by the EU (2020–2023). ENCODE aims to bridge the gap between the unique education in the humanities and the digital skills now necessary for studying, researching and working in the field of teaching and learning ancient scripts.

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 Alice Bencivenni