B9897 - Origins and Evolution of Veterinary Disciplines

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, students will: - be able to understand the processes that led to the birth of veterinary medical disciplines in Europe and, in particular, in Italy, starting from anatomy; - have the foundations to contextualise and critically evaluate iconography and museum collections of veterinary interest.

Course contents

The course will address the fundamental stages that led to the birth and development of veterinary medicine. Specifically, it will cover the evolution of veterinary disciplines starting with anatomy. The educational and artistic significance of veterinary museum collections will also be explored.
The course will be divided as follows:

Module 1 (3 credits; Prof. Annamaria Grandis)

- Definitions of “animal doctor” over time (marescalco, mulomedico, ippiatra, zooiatra, veterinario);

- Theological and divinatory veterinary medicine in antiquity;

- Dogmatic veterinary medicine of the Greeks;

- Empirical veterinary medicine of the Romans;

- Scholastic and monastic veterinary medicine of the Middle Ages;

- The great anatomical discoveries on animals of the Renaissance;

- Scientific veterinary medicine of the Enlightenment;

- Folk medicine;

- Women in veterinary medicine.

Module 2 (1 CFU; Prof. Maria Morini)

- Anatomical iconography through the centuries;

- Veterinary museum collections.

Module 3 (2 credits; Prof. Alessandro Spadari)

- Instruments of the past;

- Military veterinary medicine and farriery.

Module 4 (2 credits; Prof. Cinzia Benazzi)

- The evolution of veterinary disciplines in the 19th and 20th centuries.

- The birth of veterinary schools.

Readings/Bibliography

· Chiodi V. (1981) Storia della veterinaria. EdAgricole (Bologna).
· Veggetti A. e Maestrini N. (1984) L’insegnamento della veterinaria nell’Università di Bologna. Editografica (Bologna).
· bibliography provided by the teacher.
· Lectures in PDF format by the instructor.

Teaching methods

- Lectures.
- Practical laboratory work to be carried out in small groups on ancient material from the library collection and the museum collections of Domestic Animal Anatomy and Veterinary Anatomy, Pathology and Teratology.

The aim is to promote active learning on the part of students and to develop their critical thinking skills.

Assessment methods

Students will be assessed through an oral examination.

The purpose of the oral examination is to assess the student's ability to apply their knowledge and make the necessary logical and deductive connections.

The final mark will also reflect the student's level of involvement in the laboratory activities carried out during the course.

The assessment is expressed as a mark out of 30 for the examinations. The test is passed with a mark of at least 18/30. In the case of a maximum mark (30/30), honours may be awarded.

In particular, the final mark will be graded as follows:

Substantially comprehensive preparation on the topics covered in the course, ability to make independent choices of critical analysis and connection, full mastery of specific terminology and ability to argue and self-reflect (30-30L).

Preparation on a wide range of topics covered in the course, ability to make independent choices of critical analysis, mastery of specific terminology (25-29).

Preparation on a limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to analyse independently only on purely executive issues; expression in correct language (20-24).

Preparation on a very limited number of topics covered in the course and ability to analyse only with the help of the teacher; expression in generally correct language (18-19).

Students have the right to refuse the recording of a positive grade at least once.

The teacher responsible for recording the marks for this course is Annamaria Grandis.

Students with SLDs or temporary or permanent disabilities:

please contact the relevant university office in good time (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti). The office will propose any necessary adjustments to the students concerned, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance for approval by the lecturer, who will assess their appropriateness in relation to the course objectives.

A member of the faculty is responsible for supervising this service within the Department (https://scienzemedicheveterinarie.unibo.it/it/dipartimento/organizzazione/referenti-istituzionali).

Teaching tools

· Video projector
· Antique book collection of the Ercolani Library
· Museum collections of the University museum system (SMA) present at DIMEVET

Office hours

See the website of Annamaria Grandis

See the website of Maria Morini

See the website of Cinzia Benazzi

See the website of Alessandro Spadari