00381 - Romance Philology

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will acquire knowledge of the romance languages and literatures of the Middle Ages and their formation, with particular regard to French and Occitan. The student will acquire the skills for adopting the instruments of textual criticism, in order to be aware of the transformations of texts and languages through the centuries.

Course contents

I. Linguistics

1. Romance languages in space and time

2. From Latin to the Romance languages

3. The Gallo-Romance domain: introduction to language history and to historical grammar

 

II. Textual criticism

1. The concept of tradition

2. The manuscript

3. Fundamentals of ecdotics

 

III. History of literature

1. Geography and history of Romance origins

2. A history by genres: lyric, epos, novel

3. The monuments of Gallo-Romance literature

 

IV. The Lais of Mary of France

1. The edition of the text

2. The analysis of the text

3. Translation exercises

Readings/Bibliography

L. Leonardi - L. Minervini - E. Burgio, Filologia romanza. Critica del testo, linguistica, analisi letteraria, Milano, Mondadori Education, 2022.

Maria di Francia, Lais. A cura di G. Angeli, Roma, Carocci, 2003 [and subsequent reprints].

Further bibliographical details will be provided during the lectures.

Teaching methods

Lectures. Seminar sessions open to group discussion and in-depth study of the topics covered are planned.

Assessment methods

Written exam, with open-ended questions on the main topics (linguistics, ecdotics, history of literature, textual analysis). A sample will be available on the Virtual platform. The assessment will verify the correct learning of the subjects and the critical skills, the clarity of presentation and argumentation in the written exam – in accordance with the criteria and grid available on Virtual. Non-attending students are invited to contact the teacher to arrange an alternative programme.

Teaching tools

Several study materials (maps, reproductions of manuscripts, editions of texts, etc.) will be uploaded onto the Virtual platform.

Office hours

See the website of Giovanni Borriero