00381 - Romance Philology (A-L)

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course the student has the knowledge of the Romance literatures (especially of the Middle Ages) and the Romance languages (from the origins to the present day) learned in a comparative perspective. The student also acquires notions about the position of Italian among the Romance languages and their expansion in Europe and worldwide, as well as textual philology issues, including the literary communication and semiotics. He also develops the ability to make use of the tools of the discipline (dictionaries, grammars, databases, etc.), to read the sources (through ancient manuscripts and critical editions) and to apply them to the analysis of texts.

Course contents

• The course is divided into two modules for a total of 60 hours and of 12 credits.

• When?

Classes will start on February 1, 2027

Module 1. February 1, 2027-March 3, 2027

Module 2. April 5, 2027-May 5, 2027

• Where?

AULA Vittorio Capecchi (aula A) - Via Zamboni 32, Bologna – Ground Floor

(Access from Via del Guasto 3)

Monday, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday, 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Students who choose the 6 credits course can attend the first part of the classes, Module 1 (February 1, 2027-March 11, 2026).

Attendance is highly recommended. The course does not require prior knowledge of ancient Romance languages. The texts analysed in class will always be read also in Italian translation.

At the end of the course students can practice on manuscripts of the University Library of Bologna.

• Syllabus and Course contents:

Module 1. Masterpieces. An introduction to the forms, genres and authors of medieval literatures.

Following a general introduction providing the essential background for a degree in the Humanities—including Romance history, linguistics, and metrics—the course will examine, through the reading of selected passages, some of the masterpieces of medieval Romance literatures. Topics will range from the French epic and Arthurian traditions (Roland, the Round Table, and the Grail) to the lyric poetry of the troubadours, which laid the foundations of the European and Italian literary traditions (from the troubadours to Frederick II and his court, and the earliest Italian poetry). Particular attention will be devoted to the reception and reinterpretation of these traditions in the works of Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio.

Module 2. The Invention of the Romance: Tristan and Isolde

This part of the course will focus on the medieval romance as a literary genre, examining its origins and dissemination across medieval Europe. Through the philological reading of selected passages, students will explore some of its most celebrated figures—including Lancelot, Perceval, Alexander the Great, King Lear, and Merlin—and consider their reception and reinterpretation in later literary works.

The final part of the course will be devoted to textual criticism and the scientific methods used in the preparation of critical editions. Drawing on examples from both Italian and Romance philology—including troubadour poetry, medieval authorial manuscripts, and the works of Dante and Boccaccio—students will become acquainted with the principles and practices of modern editorial scholarship.

Readings/Bibliography

Attending students

Module 1. For attending students, the notes of the lessons and the collection of handouts, from the beginning of the course available online on Virtuale, will be the essential basis for the preparation of the exam, with also:

– P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017 (only the Parte Seconda and Parte Terza of the handbook).

Module 2. Reading, translation, and commentary of the passages analysed in class will be required, from the volume:

– G. Paradisi (ed.), Béroul, Tristano e Isotta, Alessandria, Edizioni dell’Orso, 2013.

Students will also prepare one book of their choice from the following list (only selected sections):

– A. Limentani, M. Infurna, L’epica romanza nel Medioevo, Bologna, il Mulino, 2007, chs. 1, 2, 4, 5;

– L. Formisano, La lirica romanza nel Medioevo, Bologna, il Mulino, 2012, chs. 1-4;

– C. Lagomarsini, Il Graal e i cavalieri della Tavola Rotonda. Guida ai romanzi francesi in prosa del Duecento, Bologna, il Mulino, 2020, chs. 1-7;

– M. L. Meneghetti, Il romanzo nel Medioevo. Francia, Spagna, Italia, Bologna, il Mulino, 2010, chs. 1-7.

Non-attending students

Non-attending students will prepare:

6 credits:

- the handbook P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017 (complete);

- reading and commentary of 10 texts to be agreed upon with the teacher, selected from the volume P. Gresti (a cura di), Antologia delle letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Pàtron, 2011 (with the support of A. Roncaglia, La lingua d’oïl. Profilo di grammatica storica, Roma, any edition).

12 credits:

- the handbook P. G. Beltrami, La filologia romanza, Bologna, il Mulino, 2017 (complete);

- reading and commentary of 10 texts to be agreed upon with the teacher, selected from the volume P. Gresti (a cura di), Antologia delle letterature romanze del Medioevo, Bologna, Pàtron, 2011 (with the support of A. Roncaglia, La lingua d’oïl. Profilo di grammatica storica, Roma, any edition). The volume must so be read in its entirety.

- an article or chapter of a book to be selected in consultation with the teacher;

- M. L. Meneghetti, Il romanzo nel Medioevo, Bologna, il Mulino, 2010 (complete) or A. Limentani-M. Infurna, L’epica romanza nel Medioevo, Bologna, il Mulino, 2007 (complete) or C. Lagomarsini, Il Graal e i cavalieri della Tavola Rotonda, Bologna, il Mulino, 2020 (complete);

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

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 teacher in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

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).
• Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is necessary to contact the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) with ample time in advance: the office will propose some adjustments, which must in any case be submitted 15 days in advance to the teacher, who will assess the appropriateness of these in relation to the teaching objectives.

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.

Teaching tools

Texts, documents, maps, images and videos will be shared with students via the Virtual Platform and projected during lessons

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppina Brunetti