28860 - History of the Italian Language (LM)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students, who are expected to already possess a good command of Italian linguistic and grammatical disciplines, will be able to learn and apply the acquired knowledge in practice, use analytical tools, and apply learning methods to deepen and independently update their competences. They will also be able to use the main tools for evaluating both literary and non-literary texts, and to approach documents by relating them to the cultural and linguistic context in which they were produced, as well as to their modes of transmission and reception, within an interdisciplinary perspective.

Course contents

The course is mainly aimed at those who have not already done historical-linguistic studies and aims to provide an overview of the events of Italian linguistic history and the main problems of diachronic reconstruction: internal and external linguistic history, literary language and common language, relationship between the center and periphery, question of the linguistic norm, factors of Italianization.

The course is divided into a general part, dedicated to some moments of linguistic history of Italian from its origins to the contemporary age through the analysis of exemplary texts, and in some lessons focused on the history of the teaching of Italian through the centuries.

Readings/Bibliography

• Texts and material available on the e-learning platform of the course.
  
• Claudio Marazzini, La lingua italiana. Storia, testi, strumenti, Bologna, il Mulino, 2015 (2nd edition).
• Nicola De Blasi, L’italiano a scuola, in Luca Serianni and Pietro Trifone (eds.), Storia della lingua italiana, vol. I: I luoghi della codificazione, Torino, Einaudi, 1993, pp. 383-423.

Teaching methods

Lectures, seminars and workshops; round tables with experts.

Assessment methods

For all students, the exam consists of a written exam lasting 105 minutes. The written exam aims at assessing the knowledge of the concepts, methods and tools of the history of the Italian language and assess the ability to use the conceptual tools for the study of texts.

The exam lasts 105 minutes and consists of 29 multiple choice items (of 0.5 points each) and 5 open-ended questions (2 of 5 points and 3 of 2,5 points each) about all the readings. For incorrect or not given answers the score is 0 points. The final grade is given by the sum of the points, where 31 and 32 correspond to cum laude.

In the evaluation of the open-ended questions the following evaluation grid will be used:

• full score (80-100% of the score): detailed knowledge of the contents of the bibliography, combined with a precise and widely effective language;
• average high score (60-80% of the score): excellent knowledge of the bibliography, expressed through a precise and overall effective language;
• average score (40-60% of the score): good knowledge of the bibliography and use of a language sufficiently precise and congruous, albeit with inaccuracies and excessive simplifications;
• low-medium score (within 40% of the score): sometimes uncertain knowledge of the contents of the bibliography and language with inaccuracies and inconsistencies;
• no score assigned: serious gaps in the preparation and use of imprecise and ineffective language.

Students whose mother tongue is not Italian must have a good knowledge of the Italian language.

Teaching tools

Online materials

Students can use the reference material provided online. In particular, an up-to-date calendar of the classes and an e-learning.

 

Students with SLDs 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 professor immediately to work together to find the most effective strategies for attending classes and/or preparing for exams.

Any requests for accommodations must be made at least 15 days before the date of the exam, by sending an email to the lecturer 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 Matteo Viale