75893 - History of Institutions and Cultural Heritage in the Middle Ages

Learning outcomes

Aim of this course is to provide the student with a patrimony of knowledge and abilities, able to lead him to understand (with the help of written sources) the formation of the cultural Heritage and of the monumental and documental patrimony in Italy, Europe and the Whole Mediterranean area. At the end of the course, students must acquire deep knowledge of the political-institutional processes and of the socio-institutional interactions which shaped medieval Europe in its particular identity and historical memory, and they must be able to apply this knowledge to a specific urban or territorial area or to a specific archival and librarian context and to understand the cultural Heritage of an institution. They must be able to communicate the results of a bibliographical research or of a critical analysis of written sources, and to approach the study of new topics on the basis of the knowledge acquired during the course.

Course contents

Charlemagne and Early Medieval Kingship

Charlemagne is probably the most famous king and emperor of the Latin Middle Ages, as well as one of the founders of the vast political and cultural space that largely corresponds to what we historically call Europe. This course aims to contextualise the figure of Charlemagne in relation to a number of key themes: Frankish Gaul as a laboratory for the full integration of the Latin and Barbarian components; the rise of the Carolingians to the pinnacle of Frankish power; the Carolingian military expansion, from Catalonia to Saxony; the rebirth of the Empire in the West at Christmas 800 and, then, Charlemagne’s relations with the Apostolic See, Byzantium and the Islamic world; the king’s relations with the aristocracies and the bishops; the dialectic between an itinerant royal power and the foundation of a fixed place of power like Aachen. Particular attention is devoted to the Council of Frankfurt in 794, when Charlemagne and the intellectuals of his court took a stand on the controversy over sacred images that had arisen in Constantinople.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students will be assessed on:

1) Course notes.

2) S. Weinfurter, Carlo Magno. Il barbaro santo, trad. it. Bologna: Il Mulino, 2015.

Non-attending students will be assessed on:

1) R. Bordone - G. Sergi, Dieci secoli di medioevo, Torino: Einaudi, 2009, pp. 5-120;

2) G. Albertoni, L'elefante di Carlo Magno. Il desiderio di un imperatore, Bologna: Il Mulino, 2020.

3) S. Weinfurter, Carlo Magno. Il barbaro santo, trad. it. Bologna: Il Mulino, 2015.

Attending as well as non-attending students need to know that a basic knowledge of medieval history is not compulsory to attend this course.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons.

The traditional lecture format is integrated by slides with maps, images, and texts.

Some lessons are specifically devoted to analyse written and iconographic medieval sources, both of them strictly connected to the main topic that lies at the heart of this course. Texts in these sources are provided both in the original language (Latin) and in translation (Italian).

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

Non-attending students may choose between two introductory options: Online Syllabus Overview (a virtual meeting dedicated to presenting the course program) or, only upon explicit request, Remote First Lecture (live streaming access to the introductory lecture via Microsoft Teams).

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 Carolingian institutions (counties and marches), Frankish military expansion (Gaul, northern and central Italy, Bavaria, Saxony, Pannonia), the main places for diets and councils (episcopal and archiepiscopal cities, monasteries, royal palatia) and the most significant geopolitical areas of the Carolingian Empire (core areas, peripheric areas, transit areas), with special reference to the routes travelled by the ruler and his court during the royal/imperial iter.

- Projection (with comments) of medieval sources from the Carolingian period, both narrative and documentary, with an analysis of their textual aspects and material features, within the framework of an integrated investigation that focuses on the legal, symbolic, and performative dimensions of the sources.

Any initiatives suggested and/or organised by the professor (educational visits, seminars, book presentations) are to be regarded as parts of the course and are 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