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 Germanic 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): Theoderic: the Making of a Hero

Theoderic the Great, King of the Ostrogoths, enjoyed an extraordinary afterlife in medieval European literature. Over the centuries, the Ostrogothic ruler was transformed into a legendary figure, becoming Ɖeodric in the Anglo-Saxon tradition, Þiðrekr in the Norse world, and Dietrich von Bern (Theoderic of Verona) in the German-speaking lands, giving rise to a vast and multifaceted cycle of heroic and legendary narratives. The module explores this literary tradition, tracing the transition from history to legend and showing how the memory of Theoderic was received, reshaped, and transmitted in response to the needs and values of different periods. Through the reading of selected texts (in Italian) – both historical and literary – students will examine some of the most significant episodes in the Theoderic tradition. Particular attention will be paid to themes such as demonisation, heroism, exile, kingship, and fate. The analysis of these texts, together with their socio-cultural contextualisation, will provide insight into the processes through which myths are created, as the figure of Theoderic serves as an ideal case study for exploring the cultural imagination of the medieval Germanic peoples.

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 .

Module B:

Other material and bibliography selected by the teacher (online)

Anna Cappellotto, Teoderico da Verona. Un re nella leggenda, Milano, Meltemi, 2026.

 

Non attending students

Module A:

Alessandro Zironi, Filologia germanica. Lingua, storia, cultura, testi, Firenze, Le Monnier Università, 2022.

Davide Bertagnolli, Reynaert la volpe, Roma, Carocci, 2026.

Module B:

Other material and bibliography selected by the teacher (online)

Anna Cappellotto, Teoderico da Verona. Un re nella leggenda, Milano, Meltemi, 2026.

Davide Bertagnolli, Reynaert la volpe, Roma, Carocci, 2026.

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.

we suggest that you contact the relevant university office ( https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en ) and your teacher immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.
Any requests for exam accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the teacher and copying (Cc) the email address disabilita@unibo.it (in case of disability) or dsa@unibo.it (for students with Specific Learning Difficulties).

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Zironi